Welcoming a baby into the world is a life-changing miracle. It is such an honor for our team to get to be a part of it. On the day of your delivery, nothing is more important to us than the safety of you and your baby. Our highly trained team will be with you every step of the way.
What to Expect
We will closely monitor you and your baby throughout your labor. If there are any unexpected changes, we will be ready to give you and your baby the best care. We have dedicated anesthesiology providers in our facility at all times and an operating room just for laboring mothers. If you need a cesarean section (scheduled or unplanned), we will have a room ready.
Every mother's journey is different. Active labor often lasts anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Usually, your provider will want you to come to the hospital to be checked when your contractions are five minutes apart, lasting 60 seconds, and have been occurring for at least 2 hours. This is just a rule of thumb. Remember to follow your provider's advice, listen to your body, and do what you think is best for you and your baby.
When you arrive at the hospital, we will get you checked in (or you can pre-register online in advance) and to your room and help you welcome your baby into the world.
If you have a birthing plan, our team will do our best to follow it during your delivery. If you are not sure what to include in your birthing plan, please visit our preparing for delivery page for more tips.
Pain Management
If you want an epidural for your delivery, our anesthesia team will help care for your needs and keep you comfortable. Mountain View Hospital is the only facility in the area that offers moms a combined spinal/epidural. While traditional epidurals can take up to 30 minutes before mothers feel pain relief, the combined spinal/epidural can provide relief almost immediately and even be administered during the last phases of delivery. The combined spinal/epidural also provides more movement for the mother, increases sensation without pain, and uses fewer narcotics than the traditional epidural. Our nurses are also trained in pain management techniques and can help support your natural birth if that is what you desire.
Couplet Care
At Mountain View Hospital, we believe in keeping families together and making sure parents are closely involved in the care of their child from the moment they are born. We practice couplet care, so mom and baby can be cared for by the same nurse in the same room. Staying together allows your baby to be calmed by your voice and unique smell. Couplet care will also enable you to learn your baby’s sleep and eating patterns and start to learn their cues for when they are tired, hungry, or need to be changed.
Your baby will be monitored in your room, so you have the opportunity to ask the nurse questions while they are with your baby.
We have found that keeping babies with their moms in the hospital helps improve outcomes for both. They bond faster, babies cry less and sleep more, moms have greater success breastfeeding, and babies maintain their temperature better.
Our Facilities
Each of our luxurious Labor & Delivery suites is designed to accommodate your needs and make you and your partner's stay with us as comfortable as possible. We have jetted tubs in our suites to help you relax and aid in your delivery, TVs in case you need a distraction, and some of the most advanced medical equipment to help keep you and your baby safe.
While most of the attention is on mom during the delivery, we know it is a team effort, and we've designed our rooms accordingly. Each room is spacious, approximately 500 square feet, and has a comfortable seating area. So, you will have plenty of space for visitors. We also have a place for your support person to sleep, so they can stay in the room with you (if you wish).
One of our guests' favorite amenities is our fully stocked snack fridge with 24-hour access. We also always prepare a special dinner for new parents to help you celebrate your baby's arrival. If you ever get hungry or need anything during your stay, tell one of our team members, and we will make sure your needs are met.
Visiting Hours
We know lots of people cannot wait to see you and your new baby in the hospital. Currently, we are allowing moms to have up to two visitors at a time. However, there is no limit on the number of visitors who can come throughout the duration of your stay. Overnight stays are limited to one guest over 18.
Daily visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
