Maternity - Having Your Baby at Phelps
We are delighted to be sharing this special time in your life and offer your entire family a unique approach to the childbearing year.
Contents of this page:
- Our Program
- The Birthing Center
- Special Features
- Lactation Center
- Prenatal Clinic
- Family Centered Teaching Programs
- Other Information
The photo presented above was taken by a father at the cesarean birth of his child.
Our Program
A unique, family-centered approach to the childbearing year.
Gone are the days when maternity care involved only the mother and baby. We believe in a family-centered approach, which may involve all family members at various times during the prenatal, childbirth and postpartum periods. We offer numerous educational programs, your choice of labor support people during the birth experience, extended father, sibling and grandparent visiting, lactation support services and more!
The entire family is encouraged to learn about and participate in newborn care at the mother's bedside. Babies can room-in 24 hours-a-day, with our expert nursing staff available to assist you around the clock. Even after discharge, our ABC (Answers for Baby Care) Hot Line is available to address your questions and concerns.
Phelps offers a full range of obstetrical services for you and your baby. Our Family Centered Teaching Programs are taught by our own certified nurses, both during pregnancy and following the baby's birth. Our new facilities and homey furnishings contribute to a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Our diagnostic facilities offer parents the leading edge of technology, and our highly skilled nursing staff assures families receive the best professional care.
The Birthing Center
The Phelps Family Birthing Center offers three state-of-the-art Birthing Rooms, also called LDR's (for Labor, Delivery and Recovery), fully equipped with comfortable birthing beds, one labor tub for relaxation and labor pain management,, and a bassinet area for the immediate care of the newborn.
The medical and nursing staff all work around the mother's need for comfort and privacy.
The mother's choice of labor partner may remain throughout the birth process to provide coaching and emotional support.
We encourage parents to participate in some form of Childbirth Preparation in the prenatal period and to formulate a birth plan together with their obstetrician or certified nurse midwife. The Birthing Center nurses, many of whom are certified childbirth educators, are prepared to assist you with breathing and relaxation techniques. If additional pain management is desired, medication is available by order of the physician or midwife, and the Anesthesia Department is readily available for other methods of pain control. A laboring mother may request acupuncture treatment for relaxation and pain management.
In the event that a Cesarean birth is necessary, the procedure is done within the Birthing Center. A support person may remain with the mother, if she wishes, with the approval of the obstetrician and anesthesiologist.
We actively encourage the bonding process by providing extended parent-newborn contact immediately following the birth and throughout the postpartum hospitalization. Within the Birthing Center, our nursing staff will assist new mothers in initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of life in most cases. In fact, our Maternity Unit has received numerous commendations for breastfeeding support.
Family Centered Maternity Unit
While you are a patient in our Family Centered Maternity Unit, a Coordinating RN assigned to you will care for you and your baby based on individual needs of your family. That nurse is your nurse. She will speed you on your way to recovery while teaching your family the basics of infant care — feeding, bathing, diapering and getting to know the unique characteristics of your baby.
If you plan to breastfeed, individualized instruction and support are available from the nursing staff and Board Certified Lactation Consultants. Phelps is a participant in the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative sponsored by UNICEF in support of breastfeeding families. Breastfeeding mothers and babies are invited back after discharge for a complimentary visit with a lactation specialist.
Special Features
- All newborns are given hearing screenings
- Hepatitis B vaccinations are available to all newborns, with parental consent.
- Circumcision is available if desired.
- Complimentary Celebration Dinner
- Keepsake footprints of your baby
- Nursery photos of your newborn are available for purchase.
- Optional extended stay program - ask your nurse for details.
- Newborn Channel and On-Demand Video Education
Lactation Center
Board Certified Lactation Consultants and nurse lactation counselors will be available to provide instruction, counseling and assistance for breastfeeding mothers — biological or adoptive. A rental station for breast pumps and other equipment is available for special needs.
A complimentary lactation follow-up visit is offered after discharge to all breastfeeding mothers who deliver at Phelps.
Prenatal Clinic
Phelps and Open Door Family Medical Center in Ossining, participants in the Medicaid Prenatal Care Assistance Program, jointly sponsor a Prenatal Program. Care for expectant mothers is provided by a highly trained, caring, bilingual staff. No one is turned away based on income. Women are encouraged to seek prenatal care early in their pregnancy. Care is provided at Open Door during the first 36 weeks of pregnancy and at Phelps during the remainder of the pregnancy and for delivery. For information, call: (914) 941-1263.
Family Centered Teaching Programs - (914) 366-3359
Registration Form
Phelps Memorial Hospital Center offers comprehensive classes which instruct parents and other infant caregivers. Classes are taught by our own certified nurses, both during pregnancy and following the baby's birth. Since classes usually begin around the 7th month, the best time to register is in the 2nd trimester (4th to 6th month). The courses include:
ABC's of Baby Care: Provides information on bathing, cord care, circumcision care, how to set up a nursery, choosing a pediatrician, feeding, basic first-aid techniques, and first aid for the choking infant.ABC's of Child Care for Adoptive Parents: Caring for a newborn baby is no easy task, particularly for parents who did not have nine months to prepare. this 2-hour program covers the same material as the ABC's Baby Care Class, with helpful hints specifically for parents about to adopt a baby.
Breastfeeding - First Choice for Babies: Offers information and instruction for mothers who plan to breastfeed or who are undecided.
Lamaze Childbirth Classes: This series of classes is designed to cover all aspects of the childbirth experience. We offer information on the following topics: pregnancy, labor, delivery, caesarean section, the newborn, and the techniques of Lamaze childbirth preparation - including exercise, relaxation, breathing, and pharmacologic pain management. Tour and childbirth films are included.
Childbirth Education Refresher and VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) Class: This class stresses the changes between first and subsequent births while reviewing all relaxation and breathing techniques. Practical labor management strategies are offered for parents who have had a prior caesarean and now anticipate a vaginal birth. A tour of the Birthing Center follows the class.
Sibling Class - Big Brother/Big Sister: This program is offered to help older siblings adjust to the new baby. Besides calming fears about their new position in the family, the program helps children learn what to expect and how to interact with the new baby. Appropriate for children 3-8 years old. Please call for information about arranging tours for younger children.
Tot Saver Program: This 6-8-hour class includes the pediatric component of the American Heart Association CPR for Family and Friends. This class is physically demanding and should not be taken during the last trimester of pregnancy. Prior review of course materials is required.
Please download and print a registration form, and then call (914) 366-3359 to pre-select your classes.
Other Information
Visiting Hours
Fathers/significant others enjoy unrestricted visiting hours. Visiting hours for all others are from 12 Noon - 8:30 p.m. Siblings of infant must wear a hospital ID band.
Tours
Tours of the birthing Center and maternity Unit are arranged by appointment. Please call (914) 366-3559 at the time you would like to visit. Please understand that if the unit is busy, you may be asked to call back at another time. Siblings may visit the Maternity Unit; tours of the birthing Center are restricted to adults.
Billing
A Patient Representative in the Business Office will work with you or family members to assist with financial details and insurance coverage. In anticipation of your hospital stay, you are urged to obtain a pre-admission form from your physician and forward the completed form to the hospital Admitting Office.
Related Information:
Maternity Classes
Registration Form
Phelps Obstetricians
Phelps Midwives
Maternity Pre-Admission Form
(Please print the form and fax it to Phelps Admitting Department: (914) 366-1559.