The birth of your baby is one of life’s most significant and exciting occasions. The BirthPlace at Longmont United Hospital is designed to offer you a comfortable, warm, and caring environment to deliver your baby. Our skilled and dedicated nurses and staff will make every effort to help you have the best experience possible. Your health and safety are our primary concern. We offer:
Finding the Right Physician
You will want an experienced physician who takes the time to answer all of your questions and is knowledgeable in all the latest medical procedures. You will also want a hospital that is equipped with the best medical technology, advanced care for both mother and baby, and a staff that is caring, compassionate, and willing to listen. Everything is here for you at The BirthPlace at Longmont United Hospital.
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BirthPlace Preadmission Package
If you are planning to deliver a baby at Longmont United Hospital, the BirthPlace Preadmission Package will need to be completed prior to the expected day of delivery. You can download the forms, print it out on your computer, fill it out and return to the hospital at the registration desk by the Emergency Room. The Preadmission Package may be included in the initial packet you received by your physician. We also offer patient registration online.
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Labor and Delivery for the Whole Family
The caring staff at The BirthPlace is dedicated to making your childbirth experience rewarding. From the time you enter The BirthPlace, to the moment you leave with your new baby; we provide high-quality medical care with the support and encouragement you deserve during this joyful event.
During childbirth, we offer the special care you need in a home-like atmosphere. You will be able to have your baby – labor, deliver, and recover in your own private room at The BirthPlace. After you have given birth, we will move you to a fresh private room for your postpartum stay. Designed with families in mind, each room looks like a spacious bedroom, cozy and warm. There is a sleeper-sofa for your partner and a bassinet for your new baby. Many BirthPlace rooms also feature a Jacuzzi whirlpool tub. All rooms have cable TV, DVD, telephone and wireless internet.
When it comes time to deliver your baby, your suite converts into a sophisticated delivery room complete with the latest equipment technology such as an electronic fetal monitor and a warming bassinet for the baby. The birthing beds adjust to various labor and delivery positions for maximum comfort.
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Pain Management
At Longmont United Hospital, you have a choice in how to labor and birth your baby. While some women prefer not to take medication during labor and birthing, others find the need for pain relief. We provide all forms of pain relief, including the newest technology of patient-controlled epidural and continuous infusions epidural, in the birthing rooms any time of day or night.
If you choose not to have pain medication, our labor and delivery nurses can help coach you with breathing techniques or position changes to assist you in pain management. All rooms also have birthing balls, rocking chairs, and squat bars available for alternative pain relief.
If the need arises, two operating suites are readily available within the BirthPlace for complicated deliveries or cesarean births.
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Cesarean Delivery
Sometimes when a vaginal delivery places the baby's or mother's life or health at risk, a cesarean delivery is performed. If you have a cesarean birth, your baby will be delivered in the BirthPlace operating room and will recover with you in the Recovery Room. The mother and child will stay together during those first few hours after surgery.
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Recovery - A Family Experience
As soon as possible after your baby’s birth, you will be encouraged to touch, hold, and cuddle your new baby to begin the important process of bonding. At the BirthPlace, you may keep your baby with you as long as you desire. We do encourage you to have your baby in the room with you as much as possible to facilitate bonding and a good start with breastfeeding.
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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Newborns that have low birth weight, are born before 36 weeks, or have a medical condition requiring special care may need to be cared for in our Level II neonatal intensive care nursery. We have Neonatal Nurse Practitioners available around the clock to coordinate your baby’s care with the physicians and nurses. The neonatologists at The Children’s Hospital are also available for telephone consultations as needed to assist us in providing the very best care for your baby. We understand this can be a stressful yet joyous time for you and we will encourage you to spend time with your new baby. Visitation is usually available 24 hours per day. If necessary, we encourage breast pumping at the bedside or in our Family Room. We have qualified message therapists who can demonstrate and teach you infant massage techniques that can help you bond with your baby.
We also understand that parents with babies in this Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery need extra support. We do everything possible to make sure you are included in the care of your baby, and if the infant’s condition allows, we welcome family and friends to visit the newborn.
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Caring for You and Your Baby
After the initial excitement of welcoming your baby, the nurses will help you learn to care for yourself and your newborn. We have qualified lactation specialists, and nurses who are knowledgeable in helping you learn how to breastfeed your baby and answer any questions you might have. See Getting Started with Breastfeeding below.
We want you to enjoy your first days of motherhood. Please enjoy a complimentary massage provided by our certified massage therapists. Relax to the soothing sounds of music provided especially for you by our music therapist. Ask about other ways that our Health Center of Integrated Therapies can enhance your experience.
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Getting Started or Continuing with Breastfeeding
We have qualified lactation specialists who can answer any questions you might have. We also offer a breastfeeding class that is designed for women who want information on the benefits of breastfeeding, how the process works, proper positioning, prevention of common difficulties, and managing breastfeeding when working outside the home. A variety of pumps will be reviewed. Register now at Classes & Events.
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Taking Your New Family Member Home in a Car Seat
While the BirthPlace nurses do everything they can to make this life-changing event pleasant, they know there is no place like home. We will assist you in your departure including making sure your infant is safe at home and in the car seat. Prior to departure from Longmont United Hospital, we recommend you ensure your infant car seat is installed properly at the Inspection Station located at:
Longmont Fire Department,
225 Kimbark Street, Longmont
303.651.8830
Limited Spanish, No appointment needed for listed times.
Hours: 2nd Wednesday of each month, 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
On behalf of Longmont United Hospital, we wish you well with your new family!
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Preparing and Caring for a High Risk Pregnancy
A pregnancy may be considered a high-risk pregnancy for a variety of reasons. When a condition puts the mother, fetus, or both at higher-than-normal risk for complications during or after the pregnancy and birth, this is considered a high-risk pregnancy. If you have been determined to have a high-risk pregnancy, during your pregnancy, you will need monitoring by your primary caregiver. Such monitoring might include more frequent visits with your primary caregiver as well as diagnostic or laboratory tests.
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Education and Childbirth Classes
Longmont United Hospital offers a variety of childbirth preparation classes. Emphasis is placed on understanding the stages of labor, the roles of people involved with the birth and the early postpartum period. Several class formats are offered:
- Childbirth Preparation by the Week (example: 1 night a week for 4-weeks – each class is 3-hours in length.)
- Childbirth Preparation in a Weekend (2-day course designed for those participants who find it difficult to attend a full series of childbirth preparation classes.)
Below are all the classes or programs we offer. Register now at Classes & Events.
- BirthPlace Tour
- Breastfeeding Class
- Breastfeeding and Baby Weight Clinic
- Care Kids: Preparing Children for a New Family Member
- Childbirth Preparation Classes
- Childbirth Refresher Classes
- Infant Massage
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- Mama’s Milk & Tea
- Massage for the Expectant Mom
- Newborn Care Class
- Prenatal Breastfeeding Consultation
- Private Childbirth Preparation
- Teen Childbirth Preparation
- Red Cross Babysitter Training Course
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BirthPlace Tours
The BirthPlace offers scheduled tours of its facilities several times a month. This allows expectant parents, support people, siblings, and grandparents to view labor and delivery rooms, the mother-baby area and the newborn nursery. Registration is required seven days in advance. Register now for a BirthPlace tour. It is recommended that you register for a tour early because class sizes are limited.
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