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.
Online Resources
Colorado Can Do 5 Award
The BirthPlace received the Colorado Can Do 5 award from the Colorado Dept of Public Health. Hospitals that receive the Colorado Can Do 5 breastfeeding award implement five best practices:
- The infant is breastfed in the first hour after birth.
- The infant is fed only breast milk in the hospital.
- The infant stays in the same room with the mother in the hospital.
- The infant does not use a pacifier in the hospital.
- Hospital staff gives each mother a telephone number to call for help with breastfeeding after being discharged from the hospital.
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.
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.
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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High Risk Pregnancy, Caesarian & Induced Delivery
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.
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.
Induction of Labor at Longmont United Hospital
Most babies are born between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. Very few babies are born on their due dates.
For some women with certain medical issues, having the baby before the due date is safer than continuing the pregnancy. In this instance, your labor may be induced if you have not started labor on your own. When labor is induced, it causes a pregnant woman’s cervix to open (dilate) and thin out (efface) to prepare for the vaginal birth of her baby. More than one method of labor induction may be used.
Labor may also be induced for other reasons such as being at risk for rapid delivery or you live a far distance from the hospital. When labor is induced in these cases, care providers agree that it is safest for your baby to be delivered after 39 weeks of pregnancy. The chances of your baby experiencing significant health issues related to breathing problems decrease the closer the baby delivers to his or her due date. If you and your care provider decide it is best for you to deliver before 39 weeks your care provider may consider further testing.
How is induction of labor done?
Your care provider will determine the best induction method for you based on your history and your cervical exam. There are a number of methods for starting labor that are done in the hospital, where labor and delivery services are available and your baby can be monitored. The length of time from the start of an induction to the delivery of your baby varies greatly among women and may take from hours to more than a day.
If your cervix is not ready for labor medications called prostaglandins can be taken to make it soft and able to stretch for labor. The most frequently used prostaglandin at Longmont United Hospital is called “Misoprostol.” It is a very small tablet that may be placed near your cervix during a vaginal exam by your healthcare provider or nurse. It can be repeated every 4 hours until your cervix softens.
Oxytocin is a medication that causes contractions. It is a man made form of the hormone your body naturally produces during labor. When oxytocin is used to induce labor or make contractions stronger, it flows into your bloodstream through an intravenous (IV) tube in your arm. A pump hooked to the IV tube controls the amount you are given.
If it hasn’t already broken, “breaking your water” can get contractions started. Your doctor may make a small opening in the amniotic sac. This is done during a vaginal exam and you may feel some slight discomfort as this is done during the exam. This method of labor induction may be used in combination with Pitocin.
Scheduling an Induction at Longmont United Hospital
Your healthcare provider will schedule your induction in the BirthPlace and they will let you know the date and time you should plan to arrive. In order to provide you with a quality and safe experience for you and your baby, your induction may need to be postponed or rescheduled based on labor room and nurse availability. Please call the BirthPlace at (303) 485-4224 at least one hour prior to your scheduled arrival time to make sure that we can still safely accommodate your induction at that time. If you have any further questions, you may contact your healthcare provider.
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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.
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.
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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“I am there when the babies are born. I make sure they are breathing. That they come into this world active and alert and you know doing everything that they are supposed to do when they are first born." Ericka
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