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Having a Baby at The Birth Center
Welcome to North Valley Hospital's Birth Center!
We have designed this web page to acquaint you, the expectant parent, with The Birth Center at North Valley Hospital. The Birth Center is based on the concept of family-centered maternity care. The basis of family-centered care is to individualize care so that parents are involved and share in the childbearing experience according to their wishes.
It is our objective to try to meet the needs of each individual family, whether you are a single parent, nuclear family, or belong to an extended family. This concept recognizes the family as the strongest unit in our society. Plan on attending one of our free Mother-Baby Support Group Meetings to enhance and prepare you for the parenting experience.
Getting Ready
Several weeks before your baby is due, you may want to begin to think of packing a small suitcase to bring with you to the hospital.
For yourself:
- Nursing bra, if you plan to breast feed
- Robe & Slippers
- Insurance card
- Personal grooming articles (shampoo, hairbrush, makeup, etc.)
For the baby:
- Shirt, hat, blanket, going-home outfit
- Car seat
You must complete a hospital pre-registration form if you plan to be seen in the OB clinic. If you have never been seen at North Valley Hospital, plan to meet with the Admitting Office personnel to register for the hospital during the beginning of your pregnancy before your expected due date. Then you need only check in at the Admitting Office when you are in labor or for any outpatient tests. The Birth Center's entrance is located at the south entrance of the hospital.
To help you feel more relaxed when you arrive to deliver, consider touring the maternity area ahead of time. We offer a "Talk-n-Tour" of The Birth Center the first Thursday of each month at 7 pm.
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Prepared Childbirth Classes
Prepared Childbirth Classes are offered at North Valley Hospital for expectant parents to learn about pregnancy, labor, and delivery from an experienced OB nurse/childbirth educator. Relaxation and breathing techniques for labor are learned, as well as what to expect in the course of normal or complicated labor and delivery.
To register for classes, or for information, call The Birth Center when you are about 5-6 months pregnant.
Labor and Delivery
Our aim is to assist and support you through your labor and delivery so that the experience may be as fulfilling and rewarding to you as possible.
In the birthing room, nurses will watch your progress carefully, always in contact with and under the direction of your care provider. While in labor you may have a support person – husband, relative or friend – with you. This is the time to make as comfortable an environment for yourself as you can.
A fetal heart monitor or Doppler will be used to closely observe your baby's condition and your progress while in labor.
If you have chosen a special method of childbirth preparation, the nursing staff will be supportive of the method you have chosen – keeping in mind, of course, your own health and safety and that of your baby. Couples should discuss birth plans with their care provider during routine prenatal visits.
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Birthing Room
The birthing room is a comfortable, homelike atmosphere for expectant parents. Supplies and equipment are kept out of sight in cabinets as much as possible. Specially decorated rooms with soft lighting and soothing colors create a relaxing environment. A whirlpool is available for those women who desire to labor in the tub.
The birthing room is fully equipped for a normal vaginal delivery, so the expectant mother may both labor and deliver in the same room. If complications should arise which necessitate a cesarean section, transfer of the mother to the operating room would be necessary. A support person may accompany the mother for the cesarean section at the discretion of the physician, anesthesiologist, and operating staff.
An Auqa Doula tub is available for water births. If this may be of interest to you, please discuss this with your doctor or midwife prior to arriving for labor.
At the time of delivery, identification bracelets will be placed on the baby's wrist and ankle. One will also be placed on your wrist as well as one other designated person whom you choose. Your baby will be footprinted on your hospital souvenir birth certificate. Later in your stay, we will ask you to fill out a legal birth certificate. You may obtain a certified copy from the Flathead County Courthouse when your baby is several weeks old.
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First Hours After Birth
As soon as your baby's condition is considered stable, we encourage early parent-infant contact. In most cases, parents have the opportunity to hold their baby immediately after birth.
We offer free massages to mothers after birth by massage therapists to help relax and soothe tired muscles.
Fathers have unrestricted visiting hours during your hospital stay. Fathers and visitors should wash their hands thoroughly prior to handling the new baby.
Rooming-In With Baby
If you would be more comfortable with your new baby close by, you may choose to keep your baby in your room. Fathers may also stay; we have day beds available in the rooms for their comfort.
Baby's Feedings
Both breast and bottle-fed babies are fed on a demand schedule – whenever they awake and appear hungry. A lactation consultant is available if you have questions or concerns about breast-feeding.
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Baby Care
All patients and their families are offered information and support in basic infant care during their hospital stay.
If you wish to have your son circumcised, discuss this with your physician. It is often done in the doctor's office between 1-3 weeks of age.
All newborns are required by Montana law to have a Newborn Screening test. This is a simple blood test to screen for hereditary diseases of metabolism which can be successfully treated with early detection and diet therapy. This test will be done before discharge on all infants.
During Your Stay
Hospital meals are served at 7:45 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. "Cuisine on Call" offers menu items from 7 am until 6 pm. To help you celebrate the new addition to your family, we are pleased to offer new parents a special basket to take home.
A telephone is available in each postpartum room for your convenience as well as a flat screen TV.
A photo service is available to photograph your baby soon after birth. Detailed information will be available from your nurse after your delivery. Internet photos are offered to those desiring a picture of the baby on the North Valley Hospital website. Check out our New Babies web page to see the baby pictures. There is no additional charge for these services.
We offer educational tapes and handouts along with the knowledge and expertise of our maternity nursing staff to assist you in your recovery from birth.
For Your Visitors
We encourage mothers and new parents to get as much rest as possible while at the hospital. All visitors should be without colds or other infections. There is no minimum age requirement for visitors.
Visitors should be conscious of the new mother's needs and the baby's health.
Smoking
Because we care about you health and your baby's, there is no smoking is permitted in The Birth Center, North Valley Hospital or anywhere on its 45-acre campus.
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Car Seats
Montana State Law requires parents to have a car seat before your baby can be discharged.
Checking Out
Your care provider will decide when you should go home and will discuss with you home-going instructions for yourself and your baby. Let the nurse know when you plan to leave.
An evaluation form will be sent in the mail a few weeks after your discharge. Please let us know if there is any way we may be of further assistance to you.
We at North Valley Hospital hope your stay at The Birth Center will be an enjoyable one. |  |
Care Providers
North Valley Hospital offers prenatal care in association with primary care physicians through its OB Clinic with sites at:
Glacier Medical Associates – Whitefish (406) 862-2515
Professional Center – Columbia Falls (406) 892-3208
If you desire an OB/GYN or midwifery services contact:
Alpine Women's Center (406) 862-6436.
| Obstetric Staff | Pediatric Care Staff |
| Randall Beach, MD | Mary Ann Carlson, MD |
| Mirna Bowden, MD | Rayne Beach, FNP |
| Mary Ann Carlson, MD | Jennie Eckstrom, MD |
| Bayne French, MD | Jay Erickson, MD |
| Jennie Eckstrom, MD | Derek Gedlaman, MD |
| Jon Miller, MD | John Kalbfleisch, MD |
| Julie Sherrick, CNM | Joan Miller, MD |
| Jeanne Tremper, CNM | Ron Miller, MD |
| Dan Munzing, MD |
| Kathryn Neff, MD |
| John Tremper, MD |
| Kristin Veneman, DO |
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