Mother-Baby Unit
The Mother-Baby Unit opened in November of 1998 with the philosophy of providing the finest in maternity care with an emphasis on family centered care close to home. We have 16 staff with years of experience in Labor & Delivery and Nursery. All staff are trained in Neonatal Resuscitation, have successfully completed Fetal Monitoring courses and are experienced in assisting with breastfeeding. The nurses who care for you during labor and delivery also take care of you after your baby has arrived. This allows the staff to get to know your family and provide that extra special attention that Smithville Regional Hospital has been known for. We recognize that each birthing experience is unique and special and our staff is trained to offer a wide variety of comfort measures and education to assist you throughout your stay. We offer Childbirth Education Classes that will help you prepare for the birth of your baby.

Labor and Delivery
We offer 2 LDRs and 1 Antepartum room designed with the comforts of home such as private baths, cable television, and rocking chairs, but containing all of the modern technology needed to welcome your new child into this world. Moms labor, deliver, and recover in the same room and are given much individual attention by our staff. Family members are welcome to take part in the birthing experience. We ask that only two visitors at a time spend time with you while you are in labor to allow time for you to rest. There are several waiting rooms where additional family members and friends may wait. You will be asked upon admission to select the two support persons you would like to be present for the delivery. Children under 14 year of age, unless they are siblings, are not allowed to visit and no children are allowed to stay overnight. If you require a Cesarean Section, the OR suite is located just steps away from the Labor and Delivery area. After your recovery you will be transferred to our all private post partum rooms. We encourage dad or a guest to spend the night.

Nursery
Our Level I 2-bassinette nursery provides care for your newborn immediately following delivery and through transition in to an open crib. If your newborn needs a little extra help following birth, our nursery offers cardiac monitoring, respiratory and oxygen therapy, and nutritional support to provide for your infant's continuing growth and development. We have a state of the art Bili Bassinet to provide Phototherapy for your newborn should he/she become jaundice. If your newborn should require a higher level of care, we transfer newborns to St. David's or Seton Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery. Both hospitals have their own transport ambulance, neonatal nurse, and respiratory therapist to care for your newborn during the trip. We encourage families to become acquainted with their newborns and provide the baby care. However, newborns may be cared for in the nursery while the mother rests. All newborns, condition permitting, are photographed in a complimentary Smithville Regional Hospital t-shirt within the first four hours of life for security purposes. Please let us know if you have a special outfit that you would like to have your babies picture taken. You will be given an order form if you would like to order pictures for yourself or your family. We would be happy to place your newborn's footprints in your baby book for you. With your permission your newborns pictures will be available on Web Nursery to be viewed by family and friends with a special password. We encourage still photography of your birthing experience, but do not allow video taping at any time.

Pre-Admission Registration
Before your baby is due, you will need to complete your Smithville Regional Hospital pre-admission forms. Completing the paperwork ahead of time allows you to go directly to Labor and Delivery when you arrive. We would be happy to give you a personal tour of the department, please call 512-237-5729 to make arrangements at your convenience.

Childbirth Education Classes
Classes are taught by Jodi Segel, RNC, CCE of our Labor and Delivery staff. Please call 512-237-5729 to reserve your space in one of our classed 6-8 weeks prior to your due date, we offer these classes free of charge to our patients. At present classes are on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Special Dinner
We provide you and a guest of your choice a dinner to celebrate your special arrival. We can serve you during your hospital stay, provide your dinner to go, or serve you in our dining room after your discharge.

OB Manager
I would be happy to address any concerns, special needs, or questions you may have about your birth experience anytime.

Please feel free to call me at 512-237-5755.