Your Birth Experience

Each birth is unique and every labor is different. We want you to know that South Shore Hospital staff will assist you in individualizing your labor, birth and postpartum experience.

Once you have spoken with your physician/midwife and you know that your labor has started, you will be instructed to come to the hospital. Your physician/midwife may notify us that you are on your way.

Upon admission to the Birthing Center, the labor nurse will assess your medical and obstetrical history, vital signs and labor pattern, and orient you to the Birthing Center.

Fetal monitoring is done intermittently or continuously during your labor to assess the health of your baby. We encourage walking around and/or taking showers to assist in your comfort as your condition allows.

Staying hydrated is important during labor. Refreshments are available to all patients and labor partners.

Your care team, consisting of physician or midwife and nurses, will monitor your labor carefully and provide support and comfort measures according to your choices.

A board-certified anesthesiologist is always on site to assist you with pain management.

Occasionally a family will decide to include an older sibling in the birth experience. Because the birth experience can be unpredictable, we request that you call the Birthing Center, 781-624-8374 and ask to speak with the Nurse Manager to discuss your plans ahead of time. An adult other than the patient and their support person must always be present to support the sibling.

Once the baby is born, he/she will stay with you as long as there are no immediate medical concerns. The staff will dry and assess the baby. An injection of Vitamin K will be given to assure that his/her blood clots normally. The infant will also have Erythromycin eye ointment applied to each eye to prevent infection after passing through the birth canal.

Within a few hours following birth you will be transferred to a room on the Mother/Infant Unit. You and your baby will be cared for by our experienced Maternity staff. If you are breastfeeding, the staff will assist you with any needs you may have. It is important to take advantage of all opportunities to learn about caring for your new baby while you are here. We encourage and support rooming with your infant as a way to learn his or her “cues” and newborn sounds and to begin to establish your routine together. We are available around the clock to assist you with this bonding experience. We offer instruction in newborn care, baby baths, breastfeeding, and infant massage. Please ask your nurse what is available to you.

Photography and Video Records

Photographs during your labor and birth can be important momentos. Videos of the birth are not permitted. The nursing staff will share with you when you may use your camera or camera phone during your experience. The staff may ask you not to photograph at certain times to assure safety and privacy of patients and staff. Photographing or videotaping other patients is not allowed.