During your pregnancy, you will see your physician or healthcare provider each month and more often during the last month of pregnancy. In special cases, you may see your care provider on a more frequent schedule. When your due date approaches, you will soon be ready to take a trip to the hospital to deliver your child.
Because each labor is unique, you can’t always predict what your experience will be like. If you feel you might be experiencing contractions or other signs of labor, call your physician or midwife to discuss your labor signs. He or she will advise you on what to do next.
You and your family are welcome to park in the D-E Garage or surrounding lots and then come to the security desk near the Children’s and OB Emergency Departments, where you will be directed to the third floor for Labor & Delivery care.
Once you arrive at the Labor & Delivery Unit, you will be evaluated to determine how your labor is progressing. If you are experiencing true labor, you will be escorted to your labor and delivery suite to begin this exciting journey.
At Lakeland Regional Health, we offer a number of amenities for our delivering moms and their support team. You can expect spacious labor and delivery suites, plus quality care from our physicians, advanced practitioners and our entire team of nursing professionals and clinical team members.
Before your trip to the hospital, it is wise to plan ahead. Having a bag packed and ready to go before that time comes will help provide comfort to you and your family. About one month before your baby is due, it is a good idea to prepare your bag for the trip to the hospital. The list below provides some ideas of what may be important to bring.
What to Bring to the Hospital
- Comfortable nightgown and robe
- Slippers
- Bra and nursing bra
- Breast pads
- Sanitary pads
- Socks
- Underwear (3-4)
- Hair items (scrunchies, clips, etc.)
- Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, lip balm, lotion, make-up and deodorant
- Comfortable and loose fitting clothing to wear home, preferably a loose-fitting dress, especially if you have a C-section
- Comfortable shoes
- Insurance card
- Birth Plan
- Pediatrician phone number
- Glasses
- Camera or video camera
- Mints or small snacks (if allowed)
- Watch or stop watch
- Earphones
Baby will need:
- Outfit for baby
- Receiving blanket
- Warm clothing to wear home
- Baby socks
- Baby cap
- Mittens for the baby
- Baby Car Seat
Other
- Coloring books, crayons, books, or other toys if you have other children that may visit
- Small gifts for your other children to help ease any potential jealousy that may come when the new baby gets the attention.
Classes
We offer several classes for expectant and new moms and their family members. Click here to view the full list of classes.
Pregnancy App
The Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children offers a pregnancy and newborn app to make caring for yourself and your baby as convenient and reliable as possible. Learn more about the app and how to download.