The Birth Place

At The Birth Place, our goal is to provide you with a birth experience that meets your needs and wishes. That’s why we encourage you to explore all your options with your doctor, midwife, nurse, and childbirth educator during your pregnancy, participate in childbirth and parenting classes, and visit us for a tour before your baby arrives.

Whether this is your first baby or fifth, we realize there are many changes that the birth of a new child will bring to your family. We do all that we can to make this experience comfortable and memorable for you and your family. Our staff of experienced nurses strives to provide family-centered care throughout your stay, meeting your unique needs and expectations.

Congratulations on the upcoming birth of your baby! These are some of the frequently asked questions our families have asked us to prepare for their stay at The Birth Place: 

What should you do to get ready for your hospital stay?

Please leave all medications at home. Bring the following with you to the hospital:

• Slippers, bathrobe, and personal items. Each room is equipped with a hair dryer for your convenience.
• Going home clothes for mom and baby
• A baby car seat. The base should remain properly attached in the rear middle seat of your car.
• Health insurance card
• Social Security number

How long will you be here?

Most women who have had a vaginal birth stay for two days. If you have had a cesarean birth, you will probably stay for three days.

What to expect

• You will have a private room from the time you are admitted until you go home.
• Your comfort is important to us. During your labor, we may use such strategies as relaxation techniques, music, massage, position changes, movement, Jacuzzi, shower, birth ball, and pain medication if needed to help you remain comfortable. After your baby is born, we may use other strategies to make you comfortable. Please let us know how you are feeling so that we can best meet your needs.
• We encourage you to have a family member or friend stay with you, especially during labor, for additional emotional support.
• Taking pictures or videotaping is allowed after the baby's birth.
• Cell phones are allowed in the rooms. Our reception area also provides a comfortable place for family and friends to gather while waiting.

After your baby is born

• Your nurse will check on you often. Please ask for help when you are ready to get out of bed.
• An ID band and electronic security bracelet will be placed on your baby and his/her footprint will be taken.
• Your baby will be weighed and measured and given his/her first bath.
• We encourage you to feed your baby within the first hours. We will help you get started with that. Try to keep your baby with you as much as possible so that you will be used to holding and caring for your baby. A nurse will assist you in learning how to care for your baby.

During your stay

• Your pediatrician will examine your baby.
• Your baby will receive a hearing screening, a newborn screening (the state of New Hampshire requires this), and an assessment for newborn jaundice.
• After the Hepatitis B consent form is signed, your baby will receive this immunization.
• If you have elected to do this and have signed a consent form, your male infant will be circumcised.
• Our photography service will take photos of your baby. You will receive an order form to purchase any photos you would like.
• You may receive a visit from our Birth Registrar to help you in completing forms for your baby's birth certificate and Social Security card. If you do not receive a visit from our Birth Registrar before you go home, you will be contacted via telephone to complete the forms. The birth certificate and Social Security card will be mailed to you in approximately four to six weeks.

Before you go home

• We encourage you to attend a "going home" class.
• We will review car seat safety information.
• We will provide you with instructions for caring for yourself and your baby.

Visiting hours

• Fathers, partners, grandparents, and siblings (of any age) are welcome at any time. All other visitors are welcome between noon and 8:00 pm.
• All visitors must wear an identification badge afer 9:00 pm. Badges are given out by the nursing staff at The Birth Place, and by security staff at the Emergency Department entrance.
• "Quiet time" (1:00 pm-3:00 pm) is set aside each day for families to rest or attend classes.
• To keep our patients and their families healthy, we ask family and friends not to visit if they are feeling ill or have a cold or the flu.
• The Medical Center is smoke free. For the health and safety of our patients and staff, we do not allow smoking within 50 feet of the building's entrances.

You can contact The Birth Place Nurse Manager, Donna DeLucia at 603-577-2646.

Additional Resources for New and Expectant Parents

Read! Your Baby's First Year, by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide, by Peggy Simkin. Ask your doctor, nurse midwife or childbirth educator for more resources.

Looking for more information on pregnancy? Check out Parenting & Pregnancy ►at WebMD.Get information on stages of pregnancy, signs and symptoms, and pregnancy tests, or read about parenting styles and skills, and find parenting tips and advice.

Today's Health ► is another great resource.

Additional Links:
American Academy of Pediatrics ►
National Women's Health Information Center ►.