Your
baby
is
coming.
It’s
time
to
It’s Time to Prepare
Find a Doctor
Have you chosen a doctor for yourself and your baby? If not, we offer you a selection of outstanding obstetricians and pediatricians on our medical staff.
For help in locating a pediatrician, call (404) 845-5555, weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. EST. We also have an online physician directory at www.northside.com, click on Find a Doctor. You can also go to your insurance website or handbooks.
Take a Tour
Of course you will want to visit the place where your baby will be born before that special day arrives. Call (404) 845-5555 or go to www.northside.com/classes to schedule a tour of the comfortable, home-like environment of our maternity accommodations and learn what to do, where to go and where to park.
Hospital Admitting/Pre-Registration
Because you don’t want to have to think about signing papers and registering for the hospital when you are in labor, we encourage you to take care of this by your 6th month of pregnancy. The pre-registration form is online at www.Northside.com easily found in Patient Information, or you may call (404) 459-1280 for more information.You will need the following: • Government-issued ID card
• Insurance/medical card for mom and for baby (if different) • Work address and telephone number
• Name, telephone and address of an emergency contact • Completed pre-admission form
• Physician and pediatrician information
Pregnancy Central
Resources for your pregnancy and beyond
Visit our website for information about changes you are experiencing each week. You will have access to the most commonly asked questions about pregnancy and childbirth in addition to activities, movies, animations and much more. Topics include:
• Staying Healthy During Pregnancy • Nine Month Miracle
• Special Care Pregnancies
You can sign up at www.northside.com/pregnancy
You want your childbirth experience to be special.
Let us help you get ready.
Northside MothersFirst Classes
Register at www.northside.com/classes
• Baby Essentials• Baby Essentials for Multiples • Baby Sign Language
• Becoming Parents • Boot Camp for New Dads • Breastfeeding Couples • Breastfeeding Moms • Breastfeeding Multiples
• Breastfeeding and Back to Work • Car Seat Safety
• Childbirth Preparation
• Childbirth Preparation for Multiples • Infant CPR
• Infant and Child CPR • Child CPR and First Aid • Dogs and Babies • Grandparenting • Infant Massage • Pregnancy Massage • Newborn Tummy Time • Safe Sitter
• Sibling Preparation • Tours
• Mom and Baby Exercise Classes • Pregnancy Exercise Classes • Online Classes
Birth Certificates
We have found that parents appreciate knowing what is expected from them ahead of time, such as paper work or needed documents. Being prepared ahead of time can help you to focus on caring for your baby and yourself.
After the delivery of your newborn baby, and after you have been transferred to the postpartum unit, you will be given the birth certificate worksheet by your nurse. Please remember to complete the birth certificate worksheet in its entirety and turn it in to your nurse or to the birth certificate office.
Birth Certificate Offices:
Atlanta (404) 851‑8777 Forsyth (770) 292‑2033 Cherokee (770) 720‑5136
Please note that the birth certificate office will not be able to process a birth certificate or request a social security card for your baby if you do not complete and turn in the worksheet. Listed below are helpful hints about some of the required information on the birth certificate worksheet.
Birth Certificate Information Required
Mother: • Current legal name • Maiden name
• Date of birth • Social security number • Address • Marital status
• Educational level • Occupation • Race • Origin/descent • Previous births • Prenatal visits history
Baby: • Name
• Request for social security card
Father: • Current legal name • Date of birth • Social security number • Address • Educational level • Occupation • Race • Origin/descent
Single Mothers
If you are a single mother, defined by the state of Georgia as not legally married either at the time of conception or birth, the name of the child’s father cannot be entered on the birth certificate without the written consent of both parents.
The completion of a Paternity Acknowledgement (PA) Form
is required for a SINGLE MOTHER who wants her baby to carry the surname (last name) of his/her father. The Paternity
Acknowledgement Form should be signed by both parents. The person listed as the father needs to go to the birth certificate office with a valid picture identification (e.g. driver’s license, passport) to sign the form.
Umbilical Cord Blood Banking
During the past several years, a number of programs have been developed to collect, type, screen for infection and store cord blood for potential transplantation. Private or public organizations may accept donations of umbilical cord blood for research or for future stem cell transplantation to a person unrelated to the donor, or they may process and store the umbilical cord blood for the donor or family member. The decision to donate cord blood or to bank cord blood cellswith a private company is a personal choice. Northside Hospital
does not have a business or financial relationship with any cord blood bank entity. We ask that you discuss your desire to bank or donate cord blood with your healthcare provider during your pregnancy; select the cord blood bank and make all necessary arrangements prior to admission to labor and delivery.
Please bring the cord blood collection kit that is provided to you by the company when you are admitted to labor and delivery. Inform your nurse at admission of your desire for cord blood banking and provide them with the collection kit.
Northside Hospital cannot guarantee that a cord blood
sample will be obtained and will not be responsible under any circumstances in the event that the sample is not obtained.
Important Decisions
Gather the information to make some very important decisions
before delivery.
Circumcision Decision
Circumcision involves cutting away the foreskin on the end of the penis. Personal, emotional and religious factors all play into your decision. Circumcision is not required by any
law or hospital policy. Talk with your doctor and your baby’s
doctor early so that you will have enough time to make an informed decision prior to coming to the hospital.
Helpful Checklist
❑ Receive your pre‑admission packet from your healthcare
professionals.
❑ Ask your healthcare professional to implement a Tdap
vaccination program (see page 24 of Great Expectations book)
❑ Complete your pre‑registration paperwork and mail or
e‑mail to the address provided and mail or fax a copy of the front and back of your insurance card and a copy of your government‑issued ID card.
❑ Call your insurance company to review coverage, most
require pre‑certification.
❑ Read the informed consent information and advanced
directives.
❑ Receive letter from Northside Hospital confirming receipt
of your pre‑admission form.
❑ Schedule a tour. Visit www.northside.com/classes or call
(404) 845‑5555 at least 6‑8 weeks before delivery.
❑ Schedule classes at least 8-12 weeks before delivery at
www.northside.com/classes or call (404) 845-5555. Ask
for a package discount.
❑ Select and purchase a car seat and know how to secure
baby in seat and install in the car. Read the car seat
manufacturer’s instructions. No one at the hospital will
be able to help you with this.
❑ Ask your healthcare professional when you are to come
to the hospital and what you should do if you think you are in labor.
❑ Map out your route to the hospital using an internet site. ❑ Pack a bag for the labor and birthing room.
❑ Pack a bag for after delivery.
❑ Read everything you can, go to all the classes you can, fill the
freezer with food, and do all you can before baby arrives.
❑ Select your support network. Who do you want to be
around to help support you?
❑ Choose your pediatrician.
Name: __________________________________________
Telephone Number: _______________________________
Getting Ready for
Your Baby
Before you know it your baby will be here.
There are still some things you need to do.
Labor Bag:
❑ Camera and batteries
❑ Pediatrician’s name and telephone number ❑ Insurance card and government‑issued ID card ❑ List of people to notify with telephone numbers ❑ Robe and slippers
❑ Water bottle ❑ Favorite music, iPod
❑ Band for long hair, hair clips, scrunchies ❑ Lip moisturizer
❑ Comfort items (extra pillow with colored pillowcases,
massagers, etc.)
After Delivery Bag:
❑ Sleepwear (or use ours) ❑ Robe and slippers ❑ 2‑3 bras
❑ Toiletries ❑ Cosmetics
❑ Going home outfits for mom and baby ❑ Outfit for baby’s photos
Leave valuables and any significant amount of money at home (including your jewelry).
Don’t forget the car seat.
Baby Pictures
A representative from “Celebrate Baby, Our 365” will
photograph your baby before you leave the hospital. You may dress your baby in a special outfit you bring from home. A free website is provided to share the pictures with family and
Signs of Labor
Your healthcare provider will give you advice as to when to come to the hospital. Their recommendations will be based upon such considerations as: your medical condition, the distance you live from the hospital and any previous birth history you may have. Don’t worry or be discouraged if you come to the hosital and are not in labor; this happens all the time. You will just get to go home for awhile.
Some signs to look for:
• Rupture of membranes: You feel fluid gush or trickle from your vagina indicating that your water has broken.
• Contractions: You are having cramp‑like discomfort that gets closer together, stronger and becomes regular.
• Spotting/mucous discharge (from your vagina): A small
amount of blood sometimes mixed with mucous is normal. If you have a large amount of blood, requiring one pad per hour, call your doctor.
Delivery of Baby
You know you are in labor – all the signs are there. It’s finally
time to go to the hospital. Have you forgotten anything? Your
bags are packed, you have pre‑ registered – you’re ready! The delivery of each baby is treated individually. You and your baby’s well‑being is our number one priority.
If a vaginal birth is planned: • Be sure to take a childbirth
preparation class.
• Feel secure knowing your room is designed to handle
complicated as well as uncomplicated deliveries.
If a cesarean birth is planned:
• Be sure to take the cesarean birth preparation class.
• Don’t eat or drink after midnight before your surgery.
• Arrive at least 2 hours before surgery.
• One support person can be with you throughout the birth.
• Remove jewelry and leave at home.
Support Person(s) and Visitors
We recognize that this is a special event and we want you to share it with people you love. We also know that after your baby is born you only have a couple of days to learn to care for
yourself and your baby. Holding your baby skin-to-skin provides
many benefits and your nurse will help you with this. Keeping your baby close promotes breastfeeding. It also provides the opportunity to learn your baby’s behaviors and characteristics. What a perfect time while in the hospital to take advantage of all the expert help. In addition to that, you need time to rest. Where in your day will you welcome your visitors, family and
friends? Here are a few suggestions:
• During labor and birth, you are encouraged to have a labor partner, someone who helps you feel calm and relaxed and can help you make decisions; someone who went to classes with you is very helpful. We do recommend during labor and
delivery that no more than 2 people (other than dad/support
person) stay with you at a time.
• Visiting hours (age 12 and older) are from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Some families have asked visitors to come at a
specific time, allowing mom and dad more time to learn and bond with their baby.
After birth, your children may visit from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Your children must be accompanied by another adult (other than the mom) at all times. Please make sure they are not sick or have not been recently exposed to any contagious diseases. Other children, under the age of 12, are not allowed to visit.
Breastfeeding
Your nurse will assist you with breastfeeding and skin
to skin. Take the free online breastfeeding course AND
the in‑person breastfeeding class. This combination of knowledge can help ensure a long and healthy breastfeeding experience with your baby! Plus after you have your baby, you’ll be able to refer to the online guide for more help whenever you need it.
Time for Baby’s Arrival
Be sure to discuss with your doctor when you should go to the
hospital after labor begins.
Our goal is to assist you in making this the best experience possible. The nurses and medical staff are available to help you plan for your return home. You may find the information below helpful in planning your return home even before you are admitted to the hospital.
Make Prior Arrangements
Before you are admitted, make arrangements for extra help when
you arrive home with your baby. Here are some of the common
items you may need help with:
• Someone to stay with you
• Preparing meals for you and your family • Help to care for you and your baby
• Grocery shopping, banking and bill paying, picking up your
mail and other chores
• Cleaning and laundry
• Getting around, climbing stairs, etc.
• Driving to doctor’s appointments (for you and your baby) • Childcare for your older children (taking them to school or
after‑school activities)
Infant Car Seat
Make sure you have obtained a proper car seat for your baby as
Georgia law requires that all children under the age of 6 use a car seat.
• Your baby’s car seat should already be installed in your car
before you are discharged from your room. The hospital staff and volunteers are not permitted to assist with car seat
installation or securing the baby in the car seat.
• The back seat is preferred, facing backwards. Someone
should be sitting in the back seat with the baby. Positioning of the infant car seat in the front seat is possible, but is considered dangerous if you have an air bag on the passenger side.
• Become familiar with how to restrain your baby in this seat.
There are many types of car seats and our staff is not able to be familiar with all of them.
• Some small infants have breathing problems when they
sit reclining in a car seat. If your baby is born more than 3 weeks before the due date or is born weighing less than 5½ pounds, your baby’s ability to tolerate this position in
his/her car seat will need to be tested before going home
from the hospital. This means that you will need to bring your infant car seat into the hospital so a test can be done. The test must be performed in your baby’s actual car seat.
• Northside MothersFirst offers a class on Car Seat Safety; please visit our website www.northside.com/classes to
register.
Additional Preparations
While you are in the hospital:• Read through the written instructions about how
to care for yourself and your baby after discharge.
• Read through any information you receive about the
medications that you and your baby may be taking at home.
• Ask your nurse or doctor/nurse midwife/pediatrician
questions about how to take care of yourself and your baby after you leave the hospital.
• If you have identified the person that is going to help you
at home, ask him or her to come to the hospital to get any instructions from the nurses.
Day before going home:
• Tell the person driving you and your baby home from the
hospital what time to pick you up. Remind them to bring an approved car seat that is properly installed in the car.
• Ask family members to start taking home some of your
personal items, such as flowers, cards or extra clothes. Day of going home:
• You will receive information and instructions for follow-up
appointments.
• Be sure to review and understand information on the
discharge instruction sheet (for you and your baby).
• Please ask your healthcare professionals if you have any
questions or concerns. After you go home:
• If you have questions after you go home from the hospital,
please call your doctor, or if you have questions about your baby, please call your pediatrician.
• For breastfeeding questions, Northside Hospital Lactation
Center is staffed with consultants 7 days per week. The voice mail advice line is (404) 303‑3329. Your call will be returned between 8:30 a.m.‑ 4:30 p.m. each day.
Getting Ready to Go Home
We realize that bringing a newborn home is a very exciting and sometimes overwhelming experience.
Helpful Phone Numbers
Register for Classes ... (404) 845-5555 and press 1 Physician Referral Line ...(404) 851-8817 Pre-admission Information
Atlanta ...(404) 851-8006 Forsyth ...(770) 292-2022 Cherokee ...(678) 493-1548 Lactation Center
Atlanta and Forsyth ...(404) 303-3329 Cherokee ...(770) 720-5394 Birth Certificate Information
Atlanta ...(404) 851-8777 Forsyth ...(770) 292-2033 Cherokee ...(770) 720-5136 Financial Counselor Atlanta ... (404) 851-8694 or (404) 851-8878 Forsyth ...(770) 292-2023 Cherokee ...(770) 720-5165
A Woman’s Place Boutique
Atlanta ... (404) 845-5125 Forsyth ...(770) 292-2029 Nutritional and Gestational Diabetes
Atlanta, Alpharetta, Forsyth...(404) 851-6023 Cherokee ...(678) 493-1501
Expecting the Unexpected
Some babies need closer observation immediately after birth because they have been born a little early. Sometimes it could be that their blood sugar has remained low after feeding, or they are showing signs of difficulty breathing. A special Transition Nursery is staffed by nurses from the Special Care Nursery to carefully watch and care for these babies for the first few hours. If after 4-6 hours, your baby is transitioning well, he/she will come to you. If your baby needs more attention, your baby will go to a special unit that has personnel specially trained for caring for your baby
Center for Perinatal Medicine
This Center offers nationally-recognized expertise and innovation in perinatology, obstetrics, radiology and pediatrics. High-risk mothers receive diagnostic sonography, fetal heart rate monitoring, interventional procedures and genetics counseling. There are locations in Northside Hospital-Atlanta, Northside Hospital-Forsyth, Johns Creek and the North Crescent Medical Building in Alpharetta.
For more information:
Atlanta (404) 851-8988
Forsyth (770) 292-2942
Johns Creek (770) 622-1141 Alpharetta (770) 667-4240
High-Risk Perinatal Unit
Northside Hospital-Atlanta offers a 34-bed high-risk perinatal unit with high-tech equipment to monitor moms and babies and where all caregivers specialize in high-risk and multiple pregnancies. Special programs and activities are available, such as music/relaxation sessions, prenatal classes, support groups, certified pet visitation and boredom busters.
Special-Care Nurseries
Northside Hospital can care for high risk babies. Together, Northside Hospital-Atlanta, Forsyth and Cherokee, we care for more than 1,500 special babies each year. We understand the medical and emotional needs of both babies and parents.
Nutritional and Gestational Diabetes Program
Comprehensive care, nutritional assistance with individualized meal plan and glucose monitoring tools and education is provided for women dealing with this common complication of pregnancy. Well-qualified Certified Diabetes Educators work with you and your physician to create an individualized diabetes management program.
For more information:
Atlanta and Alpharetta (404) 851-6023 Cherokee (678) 493-1501
Forsyth (404) 851-6023
We look forward to
meeting you and
your new baby!
Sometimes the unexpected happens. When it
does, we have the special care you need.
Northside Hospital-Atlanta
DIRECTIONS:
From I-285 Going East:
Take Exit 26 and turn right on the Glenridge Connector. Take a left at the first light on Johnson Ferry Road. Take a left on Hollis Cobb, the Women’s Center and Labor and Delivery entrances are on the right.
From I-285 Going West:
Take Exit 28 and turn left on Peachtree Dunwoody Road. Turn right on Hollis Cobb, the Women’s Center and Labor and Delivery entrances are on the left.
From GA-400 (North or South)
Take Exit 3 (if traveling south) or exit 4A (if traveling north) and turn left on the Glenridge Connector. Take a right at the light on Johnson Ferry Road. Take a left on Hollis Cobb, the Women’s Center and Labor and Delivery entrances are on the right.
1000 Johnson Ferry Road NE • Atlanta, GA 30342 Information: (404) 851-8000 • Directions Line: (404) 303-3900
Northside Hospital-Forsyth
DIRECTIONS:
From Atlanta:
Take GA 400 North to GA 20 (Exit 14). Turn right on GA 20, then take a right on Forsyth Connector/Ronald Reagan Boulevard. At the first traffic light, make a right on Northside Forsyth Drive. Go to the stop sign then straight across to the hospital – Building 1200. From Dawsonville/Dahlonega:
Take GA 400 South to GA 20 (Exit 14). Turn left on GA 20, then take a right on Forsyth Connector/Ronald Reagan Boulevard. At the first traffic light, make a right on Northside Forsyth Drive. Go to the stop sign then straight across to the hospital – Building 1200.
1200 Northside Forsyth Drive • Cumming, GA 30041 Information: (770) 844-3200
Northside Hospital-Cherokee
DIRECTIONS:
From I-75 Going North:
Take Interstate 575 to Exit 20 ,turn left on Highway 5. Go one mile to Highway 140 (Waleska Road). Turn right, then take an immediate right on Hospital Road. Parking is available on your left as you enter the hospital grounds.
201 Hospital Road • Canton, Georgia 30114 Information: (770) 720-5100
