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The Birth Center

Our family-centric Birth Center is a great place to have your baby. With one whole floor in the patient tower dedicated to having babies, Salina Regional really delivers. Spacious birthing rooms can accommodate your complete labor-to-recovery experience, including doting family and eager visitors. We have a neonatal intensive care unit right here, just in case. And we’ll provide you with the comforts and care of home within this secure area.

What to Expect During Your Stay

Thank you for choosing Salina Regional Health Center for your care. Whether your birth experience is normal or complications develop, we provide you and your baby with the best care possible. We work hard to ensure that your room is clean, the staff is friendly and our clinical expertise and equipment are second to none. Coming to the Hospital

Parking is available in our parking garage located directly across from the hospital on Santa Fe Street. The Birth Center is located on the sixth floor. Please enter through our main lobby and use the elevators to access the sixth floor. We recommend that you stop at Registration, located right off the Main Lobby, prior to going to the sixth floor.

Between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., the front doors are locked so you must enter through the Emergency Department. A designated parking area is located near the emergency entrance for your convenience. Your spouse/support person will need to move your vehicle at a later time.

The Birth Center is a locked unit, requiring all patients and visitors on the sixth floor to use a phone to notify our staff that you have arrived. We continue to have security bracelets and surveillance monitoring for you and your baby’s security.

Family Waiting Area

We strive to accommodate the needs of our visitors and ensure their comfort. Your family and friends are welcome to use our Family Waiting Room to visit or rest while they are anxiously awaiting the arrival of your baby.

Spacious Birthing Rooms

The Birth Center supports the involvement of your family and friends. For your convenience, visiting hours are not restricted while you are in labor. You may choose who you want to be your support person during labor and delivery. Including your spouse/support person, we ask that you limit visitors to five at a time in the labor suites.

Visitors under the age of 12 are allowed in the birthing rooms, as long as they are accompanied by a responsible adult that is not the patient.

On-Unit Operating Room

In the event of a cesarean delivery, your spouse or one support person at least 18 years of age may be with you in the operating room, which is also located on the sixth floor. Having a support person in the operating room may not be possible in the event of an emergency.

The Golden Hour The newborn baby will be placed skin-to-skin with the mother for an uninterrupted hour immediately following birth. This is called the Golden Hour. This time allows for a special bonding between mom and baby.

Large Postpartum Suites

Following the skin-to-skin and recovery time after a vaginal delivery, your new family will be moved to one of our large postpartum suites which are furnished with a queen-sized bed for the family rooming-in experience. Following the skin-to-skin and recovery time after a caesarean delivery, your new family will be moved to a room with a postoperative surgical bed for your comfort. In either type of delivery, your baby will stay with you during your entire stay. This will allow you to get to know your baby and become comfortable in caring for him or her. During this time, you will learn how to feed and care for your baby so you will feel confident and prepared when you are ready to go home. When you are admitted to the hospital, your nurse will provide you with the education you need to be able to care for your new baby.

Visitors

  • Your spouse and parents are welcome to visit at any time.
  • Children less than 12 years of age may visit patients during regular visiting hours if accompanied by an adult.
  • Your spouse/support person may spend the night with you.

Please keep in mind that a physician or nurse may ask visitors to leave the patient’s room in case of an emergency or during tests/treatments.

It is expected that visitors be quiet and refrain from congregating in the halls.

Cafeteria

The cafeteria is located in the basement. It is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for beverages and snacks. Regular hours are:

  • Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
  • Lunch: 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
  • Dinner: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Vending machines are available 24 hours a day for your convenience in the hall outside of the cafeteria. Get more information about our cafeteria menu and operations.

After Your Baby is Born

Making sure your baby gets off to a good start in life is important. That is why your baby’s first few hours will be busy ones.

After delivery, your baby will have a physical assessment done in the labor suite. The assessment consists of obtaining weight, length and vital signs, checking baby’s blood sugar and administering vitamin K. These are all routine procedures and were ordered by your baby’s physician. If your baby’s physician was not present at delivery, we will notify him/her of your baby’s birth.

If needed, we have a Level 2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit available in the event that your baby requires extra assistance following delivery.

We ask that you place the baby in the bassinet if transporting in the hallway. This is for your baby’s safety. Another safety measure, and one you will want to continue at home, is to always place your baby on his/her back when unattended.

Your baby will be weighed once a day in the evening. It is a natural and common occurrence for your baby to lose weight the first two to four days after birth. Most physicians make rounds once daily in the morning hours.

The decision of whether or not you have your baby boy circumcised is a personal one. Your baby’s physician is available to discuss this option with you. If you choose to have your baby boy circumcised, you will be asked to sign a consent form. Your baby’s physician will perform the circumcision the first or second day after birth. You will be taught how to care for the type of circumcision your baby receives.

If at any time during your stay you have questions about your baby’s care, please do not hesitate to call your nurse at the number posted on the white board in your room, or by using your call light.

Should your baby develop any problems before, during or after delivery, the Birth Center has a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery. This is a special care nursery with facilities and staff to care for premature, high risk and other babies requiring close observation.

Help Prevent Infections

Preventing infections is a top priority at Salina Regional Health Center. Our staff and physicians are well educated in the techniques to prevent infections. We encourage you to wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before touching your baby. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same.

Non-Smoking Facility

Salina Regional Health Center is a smoke-free healthcare facility. Our smoke-free policy prohibits smoking within the hospital and complies with the city of Salina and state of Kansas statutes. The policy provides a smoke-free environment for patients, visitors and employees.

Birth Certificate

A birth certificate will be completed within 24-36 hours following the delivery of your baby. Our birth certificate personnel will assist you with completing the birth certificate. If you are not married, but plan to have the father of your baby listed on the birth certificate, he will need to show a photo ID.

Leaving the Hospital

A car seat is required by Kansas law. We recommend that you purchase a car seat prior to coming to the hospital and read the owner’s manual so you are familiar with its use. Car seats older than 5 years should not be used.

Clothing, blankets, diapers, personal items and formula (bottle fed babies) are all necessary items for your baby. If you do not have these items available for your baby please inform your physician and nurse.

Questions

Once you’re home and getting settled, you may have questions. Please feel free to call the Birth Center any time of the day or night for assistance at (785) 452-6555. Our staff will be happy to help.

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