Where to Park

Texas Health Rockwall has a large parking lot in front of the hospital. Moms arriving for labor during daytime hours can be dropped off at the main entrance. If arriving during the night, you should park and enter through the emergency department entrance.

View hospital map.

Where to Check In

Registration occurs at the main reception desk in the front lobby during business hours. On evenings and weekends, registration is completed in the Emergency Room.

Food and Drinking During Labor

During your labor, your physician will monitor your diet and what is allowed during labor.

Personal Medications

Prior to arriving, ask your physician about any medications you take regularly or that are prescribed.

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.

Personal Medications

Prior to arriving, ask your provider about any medications you take regularly or that are prescribed.

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

Your Labor Room

Our modern and spacious labor and delivery suites provide a private and comforting environment. Each room includes:

• Flat-screen TV
• Sleeper sofa for a support person
• Free internet access
• A private bathroom with a shower
• Wireless monitoring systems available by request

Birth Plans

If you have a birth plan, please share it with your nurse when you arrive at your labor room. You do not have to create one. 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 are allowed with the following conditions:

• Your medical provider and any nurses or other 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.
• The individual must obtain permission to photograph or videotape any 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 the individual to stop photographing or videotaping at any time.

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 Rockwall include:

• Natural Labor Support Techniques
• Labor Support Tools
• IV medication
• Epidurals

Labor Support Tools

Texas Health Rockwall has birthing balls, peanut balls and labor bars for use during labor and invites 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 them.

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 Rockwall, 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. Your doctor will manage your diet once you are admitted to the hospital.
• 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 room, where you will remain for approximately two hours. During this time, the nurses will monitor the baby and check your vitals before you are taken to the operating room.

Your doctor, a nurse and an anesthesiologist will be in the operating room. 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.

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.

The Golden Hour

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

Baby’s First Examination

Your newborn will be examined by a nurse in your room, which will encourage your family to be part of the baby’s first exam and measurement.

Pediatrician Care

During your hospital stay, your baby will be seen and cared for by one of the pediatricians on the medical staff. Prior to discharge, you will be asked for the name of your child’s permanent 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 one of our spacious, postpartum suites where you will stay for the rest of your visit.

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 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 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 pediatrician every day. A pediatrician will visit you daily. Your newborn will have several tests that may include:

• Newborn screen (age 24 hours)
• Heart screen (age 24 hours)
• Hearing screen
• Jaundice
• Glucose screening (when applicable)
• Car-seat screen (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 Rockwall 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 rooms.

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

Location and Parking

When visiting a patient in Mother Baby, you can park in front of the hospital. For safety reasons, after 7 p.m. the patient care area is only accessible with an escort.

What’s In Your Room

Texas Health Rockwall has 10 spacious mother-baby suites for families to comfortably stay after the birth of their baby. Rooms include

• A pull-out couch for a support person
• Flat screen TVs
• Free internet access

Celebration Meal

To celebrate the arrival of your baby, Texas Health Rockwall offers a gourmet celebratory meal for the parents to enjoy during their stay. After delivery, mom will receive a menu to select the celebratory meal for herself and her guest.

Regular Dining

Moms will receive a menu to select their breakfast, lunch and dinner during their stay. If you have special dietary needs, let your nurse know.

On-Campus Snacks

There is a Fresh Market on the first floor that offers quick self-serve food items 24 hours a day. There is also a café on the first floor.

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.

During your hospital stay, your nurse will be the primary contact for breastfeeding education. A Lactation consultant will visit you daily during your stay to provide one-on-one assistance in the privacy of your room, if desired.

Support After Your Hospital Stay

If you have issues with your newborn or with breastfeeding, you can make an appointment with a certified lactation consultant. Most insurance companies typically cover lactation consultants. To make an appointment, please call 469-698-1301.

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 made a follow-up appointment with the baby’s pediatrician
• A car seat study has been completed, if needed
• Birth certificate information has been completed
• You have completed a postpartum depression screening
• You have reviewed your medications and discharge education with a nurse