Hillcrest Hospital
The Family Maternity Center at Hillcrest Hospital delivers all of these things and more. For complete information, please visit the Center's Web site.
Excellent facilities
All nine private labor and delivery rooms in the Family Maternity Center are large and attractively decorated, featuring low lighting, infant warmers, televisions and showers. The rooms also feature lounge chairs and birthing balls to help women be more comfortable while laboring. In addition, the rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to monitor and treat any problems that may arise during labor. Fully equipped operating rooms are located on the same floor in case a surgical delivery becomes necessary. After delivery, babies can room-in with their mothers in one of our 36 post-partum rooms, many of which have recently been renovated. Most post-partum rooms are private. All have their own bathroom and shower. If extra medical attention is needed, our Special Care Nursery (Level II Neonatal) is available. When more serious medical/surgical complications exist, babies are transported to our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, located on the Cleveland Clinic’s main campus.
World-class staff
At least two board-certified obstetricians and an anesthesiologist are always on duty in the Family Maternity Center, so expert care and pain management are available whenever you need them. Perinatologists, who are specialists in high-risk pregnancies, are immediately available 24 hours a day. Residents in obstetrics and gynecology may assist the staff to provide back-up help. Midwives are available for patients who prefer the extra attention they can provide, and our nursing staff is among the best anywhere. Also on staff to help new mothers and their babies are lactation consultants, who can conduct consultations in the hospital or after the mother and newborn go home, and a social worker who can help make discharge arrangements for high-risk or difficult situations.
Mothers and babies have access to the full resources of Cleveland Clinic experts in a wide range of specialties.
Other special features:
- Mothers and babies have access to the full resources of Cleveland Clinic experts in a wide range of specialties, either at Hillcrest Hospital or The Cleveland Clinic’s main campus.
- Tours are offered on a regular basis so mothers and their partners can familiarize themselves with the Family Maternity Center before the big day.
- Childbirth education, teen-parenting, grandparent and sibling classes are offered. For a list of birthing classes or to register, call 440.312.4647.
- Visitors are welcome in our Birthing Center: up to four people at a time can visit between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Visiting hours for the father or the mother’s support person are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Siblings can schedule visits, too, as long as they are in good health.
- Privately hired doulas are welcome to assist during labor and do not count as one of your four visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Food:
No food is permitted in labor and delivery rooms for anyone, including the expectant mother. The expectant mother may have clear fluids, ice chips, and broth during labor per physicians' orders.
Visitors:
Only three visitors at a time, including the expecting father, in the labor and delivery and postpartum rooms.
How should I prepare for our first ride home?
As you may know, Ohio law requires children less than 4 years old and less than 40 pounds to be secured in an approved, properly used child safety seat while being transported in a motor vehicle. Be sure to have an infant car seat that meets federal safety standards. We request that you bring your baby's safety seat to your hospital room on the day of discharge. When you are ready to go home, place your baby in the safety seat and adjust the straps as needed. If you need help, please ask your nurse.
Put the baby's safety seat in the back seat of the car (facing the back of the car) and be sure to follow the instructions on the safety seat so that it is properly secured in your motor vehicle. If you have questions about child safety seats, please call the Auto Safety Hotline at 800.424.9393.
How long will I stay in the hospital?
Ohio law requires insurance companies to provide coverage for 48 hours after a vaginal birth and 96 hours after a cesarean birth. The length of your hospital stay will depend on the type of birth you had and how you and your baby are feeling. Your health care provider will talk with you about you and your baby's readiness to go home. Together you will decide the length of stay that's best for you and your baby. You and your baby's discharge time is 48 to 96 hours after your baby's birth. If your baby was born between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m., you may choose to stay in the hospital until 10:00 a.m. on the day of discharge.
What does a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit mean for a high-risk OB mom?
Receiving prenatal care and delivering at a hospital with a Level III nursery provides the highest level of reassurance to an expecting couple. It guarantees the highest level of newborn care, should a problem arise. It also guarantees that the family will not be separated by transfer of the newborn to another hospital. For families anticipating a baby with special needs, the multi-specialty group practice at The Cleveland Clinic includes perinatologists and neonatologists that provide a continuum of caring from prenatal visits, through delivery and on to newborn care.
When are you considered a high-risk pregnancy?
You may be considered high risk if you have a medical, surgical or genetic condition that could adversely affect your pregnancy (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), you have had a complicated pregnancy in the past (preterm delivery, etc.), or your current pregnancy is complicated by obstetric issues such as multiple gestation, growth restriction, fetal anomalies, etc.
What ultrasound technology is available at The Cleveland Clinic?
The Cleveland Clinic possesses the most sophisticated ultrasound equipment available including 3-D, color Doppler and transvaginal ultrasound. Our physicians and technicians are trained in all aspects of prenatal diagnosis.
Childhood Immunizations - What is immunization?
Immunization is a way to protect your child from getting a number of illnesses. Many of these illnesses are easily spread from child to child and can cause serious health problems. They can even cause death.
During their first two years of life, children should be given vaccines (medicines) to protect them from:
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Hepatitis B
- Rubeola (measles)
- Tetanus (lockjaw)
- Mumps
- Diphtheria
- Rubella (German measles)
- Polio
- Haemphilus influenzae type B (hib disease)
- Chickenpox
These vaccines are very safe and have saved thousands of children from getting sick. The vaccine for chickenpox was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in March of 1995. Ask your health care provider for more information about the chickenpox vaccine.
When should my child get immunized?
Children should get immunized during their first two years of life. Your child must get several doses of the vaccines to be fully protected. You will have go back four or five times to finish all the doses. Health care providers also recommend that children get a second MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination when they are 4 to 12 years old. The second dose must be given before your child enters 7th grade.
Are the vaccines safe?
Yes. Vaccines for childhood diseases are very safe. Sometimes, a vaccine will cause mild side effects like a sore arm or low fever. A bad side effect is not likely to happen. Childhood diseases are a greater health risk to children than the vaccines. Ask your health care provider to tell you about risks and side effects.
When should a child not be vaccinated?
In a few cases, it's better to wait to get a vaccine. Some children who are very sick should not get a vaccine at all. Reasons that you should wait or not get a vaccine may include:
- Being sick with something more serious than a cold
- Having a bad reaction after the first dose of a vaccine
- Having a convulsion (sudden jerky body movements)
If my child is over two years old, can s/he still be vaccinated?
Yes. Vaccines can be given to older children and adults. Children are vaccinated early in life so that they have less chance of getting sick. The types of vaccines may be different for older children. Talk to your health care provider about how you and your child can be vaccinated.
Should I get vaccinated if I plan to get pregnant?
If a pregnant woman gets German measles (rubella), her baby can be born with birth defects. If you don't know if you have ever had German measles or if you were vaccinated for German measles, talk to your health care provider about getting the vaccine. You should not get the vaccine if you plan to get pregnant within the next three months.
Why should I bother with vaccines?
Thanks to vaccines, childhood diseases are less common. But these diseases can still be caught and they can be deadly. Children still suffer from choking, brain damage, paralysis (being unable to move parts the body), heart problems, blindness and other health problems because of childhood diseases. In most states, children must be immunized from childhood diseases before they can enter school. It is very important to keep a record of your child's immunizations. This record is an important part of his or her health history.
Where can I get more information?
National Immunization Program
Centers for Disease Control
800.CDC.INFO; 800.232.4636