Childbirth at Wesley
Childbirth at Wesley
We encourage you to consider what doctor will care for your baby. Contact their office before you come for delivery to answer any questions or concerns you might have, as well as to verify that the doctor takes newborns.
Family and friends are welcome
We recognize that the birth of a baby is a family event. Based on your wishes, we welcome spouses, children, s parents and friends as participants, observers or celebrants. Nearly all women find that the assistance of someone who can provide steady, caring support during pregnancy, labor and birth is extremely helpful and meaningful. Women who have significant emotional support during birth have fewer cesarean sections, request less anesthesia, have less postpartum depression, continue breastfeeding longer, and have more positive memories of their birth experience. Your support person may be a family member, partner or friend. Our nurses are also expert providers of support. Some women choose to hire a doula, who provides professional labor support. If you want to use the services of a doula, you will need to make prior arrangements and pay the doula directly.
Options for pain management and delivery
We offer you several options to deal with the pain of childbirth. Our goal is to help you stay as comfortable as possible, while you remain in control of your body. Your nurse is trained in a variety of pain management techniques. She can provide you with comfort measures such as massage, breathing techniques, and positioning. Since walking and changing positions can be effective in the progression of labor and management of pain, we’ll encourage you to walk and change positions in bed. Many women find that soaking in a warm tub or whirlpool bath is relaxing and relieves pain. New tools such as a birthing ball can be very helpful. Rocking on this large, soft ball can help relieve discomfort, especially during back labor. Medications, including local, pudendal, and epidural anesthetics, are available if needed. Anesthesiologists are on staff 24 hours every day. Your choices also include position options during birth. We will work with you to deliver in a position that feels right for you. For example, some women feel that delivering in a sitting position enables them to be more in control and involved during birth.
After your baby is born
After delivery, your baby is immediately given to you, placed skin-to-skin. The doctor and nurse check your baby while he or she is resting on your chest. This skin-to-skin contact helps keep the baby warm and promotes bonding. To help you and your baby get acquainted and make it easier for you to begin breastfeeding, we wait until the end of the first hour before performing routine vitamin K injections or antibiotic treatment for the baby’s eyes. Normally, your baby can share your room during your stay at Wesley. We will help you learn to feed and care for your baby. Your support person may stay with you throughout your visit and even spend the night with you. The number of your visitors is limited only by your preference, and level of activity in your room for your care.
Breastfeeding
All our nurses have been trained in breastfeeding assistance. If you have a problem they can’t help you with, they can request a visit from a lactation specialist. If you have questions after returning home, you can call a lactation specialist at (316) 962-MILK. Learn more.
Pictures of your baby
If you want pictures of your baby's birth, you may bring a camera and have your support person photograph or videotape your labor and delivery. You may want a keepsake photo of your baby taken by Baby Bloom photography. You will receive information about these pictures when you are admitted. You may choose to have your baby's photo taken and placed on a secured Web site on Wesley's home page after your baby is dismissed from the hospital, so your friends and family who have Internet access can see your new addition.
Going home
Throughout your stay with us, we prepare you to go home with your new baby. Your stay with us is full of learning opportunities. In addition to information from your nurse and doctor, the Newborn Channel is available on the hospital television. Written material and videotapes are also available to meet your and your family’s educational needs. Before you and your baby go home, orders from your doctor and your baby’s doctor are needed. Your baby will need a blood test required by the state that screens for certain conditions, including phenylketonuria (PKU), hypothyroidism, galactosemia and hemoglobinopathies. Sometimes a repeat test is needed. Your baby’s doctor will tell if this is needed, when and where you can't take your baby for the blood test.
Other things that need to be completed before you leave:
- Birth registration
- Plans to visit your doctor and baby’s doctor
- Instructions on care of mother and baby
- Arrangements for a home visit, if applicable
- Car seat ready in your car
After you and your baby go home, you can learn more about caring for your baby and enjoy the support of other parents by coming to "Parent-Newborn Time." For information, see Family Life Education or call (316) 962-2290.
Locations
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Via Christi Medical Associates - Hospitalists Group
Directions
1100 N St. Francis
4th Floor
Wichita, KS 67214
