Common Questions and Answers

1. What do I need to bring to the hospital for admission?
2. Where do I park and come into the hospital?
3. Do I have to wait in the emergency room.
4. What are the visiting guidelines?
5. What is the average length of hospital stay?
6. Are cameras and video recorders allowed?
7. Are cell phones allowed in the Birthing Center?
8. Do you offer infant picture taking?
9. Can my support person spend the night with me?
10. May I bring in food or drinks from home?
11. Do I need a car seat to take my baby home?
12. How do you insure my infant’s safety?

What do I need to bring to the hospital for admission?
Picture identification and insurance card are needed for registration. Please also bring your own personal toiletries. Leave all valuables at home.

Where do I park and come into the hospital?
Parking is available in the west addition parking lot near the Emergency Center. Enter the hospital through the Southwest entrance during the day. After 8 p.m. and before 7 a.m., please enter through the Emergency Center entrance.

Do I have to wait in the emergency room?
Birthing Center patients, four months pregnant or greater, are registered directly in the Birthing Center. Patients less than four months pregnant are evaluated in the Emergency Center.

What are the visiting guidelines?
One person is allowed to stay in OB Triage. Two visitors are typicalls allowed to stay for the delivery. This may change in urgent situations.

What is the average length of hospital stay?
Average length of stay is 48 hours for uncomplicated vaginal delivery and 72 hours for uncomplicated cesarean section delivery.

Are cameras and video recorders allowed?
Pictures and video recording are permitted with the permission of your doctor.   NO pictures or video recording are allowed during the actual birth.  

Do you offer infant picture taking?
Our 365-Newborn Photography is an independent company offering photo packages in the Birthing Center.  There is no obligation to purchase.  A catalog is provided with many different portrait packages shown for purchase.  Portraits are printed on site.  They accept cash, checks, or major credit card payments.  Parents may dress their infant as they wish for photos. 

Can my support person spend the night with me?
One support person over the age of 18 years old may spend the night while you are in the Birthing Center to help you and help take care of baby. Cushioned window seats or single sized sleep chairs are available. The Birthing Center has 24 hour rooming-in, so newborns stay in mom’s room after delivery until discharge.

May I bring in food or drinks from home?
Yes, a small dorm-size refrigerator is available in each birthing suite, provided there are no dietary restrictions from your physician.

Do I need a car seat to take my baby home?
Yes, an appropriate infant car seat is mandated by Michigan state law for infant transport.  We encourage parents to read the directions and have it assembled
and ready to install prior to discharge from the hospital. 

How do you insure my infant’s safety?
Patient safety is a number one priority.  All Birthing Center associates have special identification marking on their badges. At night, all entrances are locked and can only be opened by designated badges. All associates are instructed on monitoring and screening everyone who enters the area. All visitors are given a bright pink sticker badge for identification.  Associates are taught to instruct patients on the importance of a safety partnership while in the Birthing Center and precautions are reviewed and a safety contract is signed. Birthing Center uses the Hugs Security System and nurses place a small Hugs (baby lojack) tag on the baby at birth, which is worn until discharge.