Where to Park

You can park in one of the garage or valet parking is available at the main entrance to the hospital.

Where to Enter the Building

Enter through the Main Hospital entrance on Henderson Avenue when you arrive. The doors are open 24 hours a day. Once inside the hospital, proceed to the Bloxom Tower and take the elevators to the first floor.

View hospital map.

Where to Check In

For women who are in labor or have a scheduled birth, go straight to labor and delivery located on the first floor of the Bloxom Tower. Someone at the nurse’s station will greet you and show you to your room.

Your birth process takes place in one of our uniquely designed and soothing private maternity suites, located in the Helen McKee Ryan Birthing Center. The center features:

• Seventeen uniquely designed and comforting private maternity suites
• Three suites equipped with tubs for labor and/or birth
• Three cesarean birth suites.

What’s In Your Labor and Delivery Room

Each spacious labor and delivery suite comfortably accommodates a birthing family and includes:

• Flat-screen TV with a USB for your personal streaming devices
• Free internet access
• Couch that converts into a comfortable bed
• Individual, full-size bathroom with a shower or tub
• Temperature control for your room

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.

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.

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 other providers in the room must consent to the photography.
• The individual must sign the hospital’s Photographer/Videographer Agreement.
• Photography/videography can begin only when instructed by the provider or hospital staff.
• The individual must obtain permission to photograph or videotape hospital staff before doing so.
• Only hand-held devices are allowed in Labor and Delivery (no tripods).

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

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 Fort Worth include:

• Laboring in water
• IV medication
• Nitrous oxide
• Epidurals

Labor Support Tools

Texas Health Fort Worth has birthing balls, labor bars and several bathtubs. We also invite you to bring other labor-support tools. When you arrive at Labor and Delivery, please notify your nurse if you would like to use one of our items.

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 Fort Worth, please remember the following:

• Follow your providers instructions on eating and drinking prior to the procedure
• After check in, you will be prepared approximately two hours prior to the procedure.

Scheduled Cesarean Births

When you arrive, notify the admissions staff that you are there for a scheduled procedure. You will be taken to a cesarean prep room, where you will remain for approximately two hours while the nurses monitor the baby and check your vitals before being taken to the operating room.

One physician and a few nurses and anesthesia providers will be in the operating room with you and your support person. Typically, you will be in the operating room for about one hour. After the surgery you will be moved back to your Labor and Delivery room with your baby and support person. You will remain in recovery for approximately two hours and barring any safety concerns, will have skin-to-skin time with your baby to establish the first feeding.

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

Gentle Cesarean Birth

For those who need a cesarean birth, Texas Health Fort Worth offers a type of cesarean that aims to create a birth experience similar to a vaginal delivery, called a gentle cesarean. If you are interested in this type of experience, please discuss it with your nurse.

The Golden Hour

The first hour after birth is called the golden hour, when we allow only mom, baby and one support person in the room to promote rest and relaxation.

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 by a nurse in your birth room, which will allow your family to be part of the baby’s first exam and measurement.

Your Pediatrician is Notified

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

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 the room where you will stay throughout your visit.

The Mother and Baby unit is located on the second floor of the Jones Tower.

What’s In Your Room

The Mother and Baby unit has 25 spacious rooms for families to comfortably stay after the birth of the baby. Each room includes:

• Flat-screen TV with a USB outlet for streaming devices
• Free internet access
• Rocking chair
• Large private bathroom
• Comfortable Murphy bed for your support person
• Temperature control for your room

How Long You Will You Stay

Typically, you will be discharged between 24 and 48 hours after a vaginal delivery. For a cesarean, you can be discharged between 48 and 72 hours after surgery Exceptions exist for shorter and longer hospital stays, if desired or 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 to get out of bed to walk around. Walking will improve your circulation and prevent blood clots.

You Will be Visited Hourly

Your nurses or the patient care assistants will check on you about every hour. 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. After a cesarean birth, a nurse will offer liquids and within six hours will be eating regular food.

Baby’s Screenings and Procedures

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

• Blood screen (age 24 hours)
• Hearing screen
• Jaundice
• Heart screen (age 24 hours)
• Car-seat screen (when applicable)

Circumcision

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

Where Baby Will Stay

Texas Health Fort Worth 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 your baby's evaluations and examinations may take place in your room. Moms also have an opportunity to learn their baby's cues with personnel nearby to answer questions and provide 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 rooms.

Celebration Meal

The arrival of a new baby is one of life’s most important milestones. To help celebrate this momentous occasion, Texas Health Fort Worth offers a celebratory meal for the new mom and a support person.

Meals and On-Campus Dining

Moms will receive meals three times a day. There are several on-campus dining options available for guests.

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. Lactation consultants are also available seven days a week to provide one-on-one assistance in the privacy of your room. Speak to a lactation consultant by calling 817-250-2229.

Breast Pump Rentals

The gift shop, Lori’s Gifts, has Medela™ breast pumps available to rent. Additionally, nursing supplies and pump parts are available for purchase. The boutique is located on the ground floor of the Richardson Tower near the main entrance. For more information, hours and pricing, please call 817-250-3152.

Even if your doctor says 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 and Nurse

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 visited and let you know you can go home
• The pediatrician visited and let you know the baby can go home
• You’ve brought the car seat to the room and the nurse checked that the baby is secure (do not bring the base)
• You rented a breast pump and it has been delivered to your room, if desired
• You have completed all necessary paperwork
• Your prescriptions have been delivered to your room or sent to your preferred pharmacy
• You have made a follow-up appointment for your newborn
• You reviewed your medications with the discharge nurse
• A nurse or technician has brought a wheelchair to take you to your car.

Texas Health Fort Worth’s high-risk and antepartum program provides monitoring of women and their baby(s) with pre-existing medical conditions, women expecting multiples, and women with high-risk pregnancies. Throughout the pregnancy, expectant moms stay in our spacious rooms where they are cared for by their primary obstetrician and board-certified maternal-fetal specialist on the medical staff.

Women can be diagnosed with complications early in their pregnancy and others develop conditions late in their pregnancy. High risk pregnancies include those complicated by advanced maternal age, obesity, birth defects, and conditions including:

• Diabetes
• Pregnancy induced hypertension (pre-eclampsia) and chronic hypertension
• Premature rupture of membranes
• Incompetent cervix
• Asthma
• Post-surgical complications
• Pre-term labor
• Multiples babies
• Bleeding disorders (placenta previa and placental abruption)

Spacious Accommodations

Mother-Baby rooms allow families to comfortable stay until the birth of their baby. Each room includes:

• Flat-screen TV with USB outlet for streaming devices
• Free internet access
• Recliner
• Private bathroom with a shower
• Temperature control for your individual room
• Additional dining options for patients with long-term stays

For mothers facing longs stays during their pregnancy, Texas Health Fort Worth offers a number of classes, activities, educational opportunities to help pass the time, and provides support to prepare for the arrival of baby. Support programs include:

• Online childbirth classes
• NICU tours
• NICU Helping Hands family support
• Pastoral care and support
• Visits from pet therapy dogs
• Aromatherapy
• Lactation support and services
• Rooms that can be reserved for baby showers, birthdays, etc.