Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
The nursery at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford includes a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for premature babies or babies needing extra medical care. The NICU is staffed with neonatal nurse practitioners and neonatal nurses with experience in high-risk infant care. Neonatologists — physicians affiliated with Pediatrix, Inc., who specialize in the care of premature infants and those needing special care — are available for consultation. If your baby must stay in the NICU, the staff will be happy to relay the visiting times for you and your family to spend time with your baby.
Pediatrix, Inc.
Should the unexpected occur, a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) is available 24-hours a day to assist in the care of your newborn during delivery and in the NICU. The NNP has experience taking care of high-risk infants and those needing special care. The NNP may be requested by your physician to attend the birth of your infant. Additionally, your physician may request that the neonatologist attend your delivery. You can expect to receive charges from Pediatrix, Inc., if either the NNP or neonatologist attends the birth of your newborn.
After the Birth of Your Baby
Once your baby is born, you will remain in the birthing suite to recover, bond with your baby and adjust to becoming a new parent. If you plan to breastfeed your baby, you'll be encouraged to start immediately after birth. You'll have experienced staff and support nearby should you need it.
Mother-Baby Care
The most special relationship of all is that between the parents and their child. To enhance this initial bonding period, your baby may remain with you in your room. After birth, your baby will be assessed in your private room, allowing you to participate in all of your baby's "firsts."
Please remember that all Texas Health HEB nurses and staff members are required to wear a name tag. To help us protect you and your baby, please do not give your baby to anyone who does not wear a Texas Health HEB name tag and photo identification. The nursery staff is always available to answer questions and discuss concerns you may have.
Visitors
To minimize your newborn's risk of picking up harmful germs, remember to always wash your hands before you hold your baby. Before visitors hold your baby, they should wash their hands, too. The new baby's sibling(s) are welcome to visit, but all children should be accompanied by an adult.
Before children visit, please make sure they have not been exposed to an infectious disease and are not exhibiting a common symptom of illness, such as a runny nose, sore throat, earache, fever, rash, fever blisters or upset stomach. If they do have symptoms, we ask that the accompanying adult wait with the child in the Siratt Women's Center Family Waiting Room.
Nap Time
To promote successful breastfeeding and to give new parents a time to rest, we implement Nap Time from 1 to 4 p.m. daily. During this time, visitors are discouraged, although not prohibited.
Additional Information
Car Seat Safety
The State of Texas requires that all children 8 years or younger, unless they are taller than 4-foot-9, must use child safety seats. You must have an infant car seat at the hospital on the day of discharge for your new baby. Please read your car seat's instruction manual prior to coming to the hospital. Make sure you know how to install the base in your car properly.
For the safety and well-being of your newborn, you should know the history of your car seat. It should not be more than five years old, and it should never have been in an accident. During the last trimester of your pregnancy, it is recommended that you have your car seat checked for proper fitting. Please call 1-877-THR-WELL (1-877-847-9355) to make an appointment.
Baby Photos on the Web
Parents who deliver at Texas Health HEB can provide baby's first photo to relatives and friends across the country and around the world, available for viewing on the Internet. The photos, taken at the hospital by Our365, are downloaded onto their website for viewing. The color photos are identified by the new baby's name and date of birth. The parents are given a special code to the password protected site, which they may share with family and friends.
Birth Certificate
The Medical Records/Health Information Services department will send a representative to your room to help you fill out birth certificate paperwork. From this information, an official form will be completed, ready for your signature and official filing. If you should be discharged early or miss our representative, someone from Medical Records/HIS will contact you at home. In order to claim a child as a dependent for income tax purposes, the child must have a social security number. At the same time the birth certificate is filed by the Birth Registrar, a social security application will be submitted.
Special Note
For a smoother transition from the hospital to the comforts of home, please be prepared to be discharged by 11 a.m.
Infant CPR
During your stay in the Siratt Women's Center, you will be given the opportunity to attend an Infant CPR Class provided by certified CPR instructors. This class is free of charge and is held in the Childbirth Education Classroom. Please let your nurse know if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity. |
