Where to Park

You should park and enter through the emergency room department when you arrive. View map.

Where to Check-In

• If you have a scheduled induction or c-section, you should check-in at the nurse’s station in the Women’s Center.
• For an unscheduled visit or evaluation, please check-in at the Emergency Department admissions desk.

When packing a labor bag, be sure to include:

• Driver’s license or ID card
• Insurance information
• Phone, camera, video camera and charging cables

Other items that may keep you comfortable during labor include:

• A deck of cards, books, magazines, music, tablet, etc.
• Bathrobe or labor gown
• Labor support tools
• Comfy slippers/socks (skid-proof)
• Snacks for your partner

Please note you do not need to bring your luggage or car seat to your room until after delivery.

We are here to help you have the birth experience that best fits your wishes and needs.

Your Labor and Delivery Room

Our newly renovated Women’s Center is warm and inviting with spacious suites to provide a private and comforting environment for you and your family. Each room includes:

• Flat-screen, interactive TV with on-demand movies
• Free Internet access
• Upgraded private bathroom with spacious walk-in shower
• Sleeper sofa that converts to a bed for overnight guests
• Aromatherapy patches, available upon request

Birth Plans

If you have a birth plan, please share it with the nurse when you arrive at your labor room. You do not have to create a birth plan. We will try to follow your wishes as long as they do not interfere with the health and safety of you or the baby.

Pain Management Options

There is no medical best choice for managing pain during labor. Everyone has different pain thresholds. Instead, it’s a question of what makes the most sense for you and your partner. If you find that you want additional pain management during labor, the options available at Texas Health Stephenville include:

• Epidurals
• IV medication
• Nitrous oxide
• Aromatherapy patches

Labor Support Tools

Texas Health Stephenville has birthing balls and labor bars for use during labor. When you arrive for labor, please notify your nurse if you would like to use one of them. We also invite you to bring your own labor support tools such as a birth gown, music player, blankets, pillows, etc.

Expectant parents often find the support of a doula to be helpful. Doulas are trained in providing emotional and physical support and helping women to carry out their birth plans. Doulas are welcome at mom’s bedside as part of her care team and can be hired sometime during the pregnancy.

Our goal is to maintain scheduled delivery dates. To provide excellent care to you during the birth of your child(ren), the scheduled time of your arrival might change. If there are any changes, we will call you (usually 1-2 hours before admission). We will also communicate any changes with your doctor. If you have questions or concerns about changes to your scheduled delivery, talk to your doctor

Before Your Delivery

If you are having a scheduled induction or cesarean at Texas Health Stephenville, please remember the following:

• Please do not eat or drink at least eight hours before the procedure or the procedure may be rescheduled, possibly to another day
• After check-in, you will be prepared approximately two hours prior to the procedure.

Scheduled Cesarean Births

When you arrive, tell the admissions staff you are there for a scheduled procedure. You will be taken to a cesarean prep room, where you will remain for approximately two hours. During this time, the nurses will monitor the baby and check your vitals and prepare you for surgery.

In the operating room will be two physicians, a certified scrub technician, two nurses and an anesthesiologist. One support person may be present in the operating room for the surgery unless there are any safety concerns. Typically, you will be in the operating room for about one hour. After the surgery you will be moved to a recovery room with your baby and support person. If there are no safety concerns, you will have skin-to-skin time with your new baby to establish the first feeding.

Learn more about what to expect before, during and after your c-section.

Gentle Cesarean Births

For expectant moms who need a cesarean, Texas Health Stephenville offers a family-center cesarean, called a gentle cesarean. In a gentle cesarean, the standard blue drape can be replaced with a clear drape. With the clear drape in place, the family can watch the baby being born from the mother’s womb, similar to a mother being able to see the birth during a vaginal delivery. If you are interested in this type of experience, please discuss it with your doctor.

Documenting this special occasion is important for many of our families. Cameras and video recorders are allowed with the following conditions:

• Your provider and any nurses or providers in the room must consent to the video or photography.
• The individual recording the birth must sign the hospital’s Photographer/Videographer Agreement.
• Video or photography can begin only when allowed by the provider or hospital staff.
• Only hand-held devices are allowed in Labor and Delivery (no tripods).
• No social media live streaming is allowed.

Please note that the provider or nurse may require the individual to stop photographing or videotaping at any time.

Skin-to-Skin

As soon as possible after birth, nurses will place your baby skin-to-skin for at least an hour to allow time for the first feeding. Skin-to-skin time helps your newborn stay warm, stabilizes blood-sugar levels and is considered good for all babies.

Baby’s First Examination

After the first hour, your newborn will be examined in your room, which will allow your family to be part of the baby’s first exam and measurement.

Your Pediatric Provider is Notified

Your pediatric provider will be notified about your delivery. If you do not have a preselected provider or one with privileges at the hospital, your baby will be seen by the on-call provider.

Transition to Your Hospital Room

You and your baby will remain in Labor and Delivery for approximately one to two hours before being moved to one of our spacious postpartum suites where you will stay for the rest of your visit.

The Mother Baby unit is as warm and inviting as are the family and friends that surround you. 

What’s In Your Room

Texas Health Stephenville has 5 spacious mother-baby suites for families to comfortably stay after the birth of their baby. Rooms include

• Flat-screen TVs
• Free Internet access
• On-demand movies
• Individual, full-size bathroom
• Sleeper sofa that converts to a bed for overnight guests

How Long You Will You Stay

Typically, you will be discharged between 24 and 48 hours after a vaginal delivery. For a cesarean, you will can be discharged between 48 and 72 hours after surgery. Exceptions exist for shorter and longer hospital stays, if needed. Talk with your nurse about when you hope to be discharged.

Get Up and Walk

Within six hours after giving birth, your nurse will help you get out of bed to walk around. Walking will improve your circulation and prevent blood clots.

You Will Be Visited Hourly

Your nurse or a care assistant will regularly come by to check on you. If you would like less frequent visitations, just let the nurse know.

When You Can Eat

After an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, you can eat as soon as you desire. Following a cesarean, a nurse will offer liquids and within six hours, you will be eating regular food.

Baby’s Screenings and Procedures

During your hospital stay, your baby will be examined by a pediatric provider every day. If your pediatric provider has privileges at the hospital, they or someone from their practice, will visit you daily. If your pediatric provider is not on the medical staff, you will be visited by an on-call pediatric provider. In additional, your newborn will have several tests that may include:

• Newborn blood screen (age 24 hours)
• Hearing screen
• Jaundice check
• Congenital Heart disease screen (age 24 hours)
• Car-seat testing (when applicable)

Circumcision

Circumcision for a boy infant may be completed during the hospital stay, if desired. In most cases, your baby is returned to you within an hour of the procedure.

Where Baby Will Stay

Texas Health Stephenville works to minimize separation of moms and babies. We encourage moms to keep their babies in their hospital rooms (including nighttime), a practice called rooming-in. Even the baby's evaluations and examinations may take place in mom's rooms. Moms also have an opportunity to learn their babies’ cues with hospital personnel nearby to answer questions and offer education. With support and guidance from experienced nurses, parents gain the skills needed to confidently care for their babies, in the comfort of their hospital room.

Celebratory Meal

To celebrate the arrival of your baby, Texas Health Stephenville offers a celebratory meal for mom and a guest enjoy. After delivery, mom will receive a menu to select the celebratory meal. The meal will be brought into the room on a specially decorated table.

Meals for Mom

A hostess will visit you each morning to obtain your meal preferences for the day. Visitor meals are available to be served to your room for a small fee, upon request.

On-Campus Dining

Texas Health Stephenville’s cafeteria is located on the first floor of the main hospital and is open 7 days a week. Download our quick guide for more information.

During your hospital stay, a coordinator will contact you to complete the necessary paperwork to record your baby’s birth. You will be given documentation that can be sent to your insurance company.

Get more information on requesting your child’s birth certificate or social security information.

Breastfeeding Support

During your hospital stay, your nurse will be the primary contact for breastfeeding education. If you need to rent a breast pump, please let your nurse know.

Breast Pumps

You can choose where you get your breast pump, but there is a program through the Breast Pump Depot that helps moms get breast pumps very quickly and easily.

The Breast Pump Depot accepts most insurances and Medicaid. To inquire about the insurance companies that are currently in-network with the Breast Pump Depot, please call 888-877-6334 or visit BreastPumpDepot.com.

Even if your doctor declares that you are ready to go home, there is still a process that needs to be completed for your safety and security.

Things to Discuss with Your Family

Are you ready and do you have the things you need before going home? Discuss these questions with your family (If you have questions or concerns, please talk with your nurse):

• When do I think I will be going home (day and time)?
• How am I getting home?
• Who will help me at home?
• Do I have the supplies I need?

Steps that Happen on Discharge Day

Before you go home, the following must be completed:

• Your baby’s heart screening and newborn screening test were completed at age 24 hours
• Your OB/GYN has visited and said you can go home
• The pediatrician has visited and said your baby can go home
• Your newborn’s hearing check is completed
• Your prescriptions have been ordered or sent to your pharmacy
• You have reviewed your medications with a nurse