CONGRATULATIONS ON THE UPCOMING BIRTH OF YOUR BABY!
Expecting a new baby is an exciting and sometimes hectic time for new parents, we are here to help! One of the important decisions you get to make prior to your child being born is picking a pediatrician's office. We encourage you to call and schedule a free "prenatal consult" to come meet us! Many families choose to schedule this visit between 24-34 weeks. During this visit you will meet with one of our doctors, learn about the practice, see the office, and have time to ask any questions you may have. Feel free to call our office (847) 253-3600 to schedule this complementary appointment prior to the birth of your child.
What to expect in the hospital
Your obstetrics team will monitor you closely during delivery to make sure your baby is tolerating labor well. Immediately after delivery if mom and baby are healthy your sweet little one will soon be placed skin to skin on your chest. This "golden" time is good for baby and parents! The nursing team will examine your baby right away, check their weight, height, head size and give them a vitamin K injection and eye ointment. Vitamin K is essential to protecting newborns from severe bleeding in the first weeks of life. The eye ointment protects them from infections. In the event your team is worried about the baby, the NICU (neonatal intensive care) team will come to check your baby and make sure they are okay. Some babies need a little help in the transition to life outside the womb and you are in good hands.
Once mom is ready you will be moved from labor and delivery to the postpartum unit. The nursing team will take good care of you and continue to help you bond with your baby and work on breastfeeding (if that is your goal). During this time your pediatrician will come examine your little one. Typically this exam is the morning after your baby is born or later that morning for early AM deliveries. During this comprehensive exam we will check your baby from tip to toe, go over newborn care, and answer questions you may have.
At most hospitals, lactation consultants are there to help you get started breastfeeding. Please feel free to ask them to come by and check your baby's latch/answer questions.
During the hospitalization babies get tests to make sure they are healthy and keep them healthy. You will be asked to watch their pee and poopy diapers. They are monitored for jaundice (high bilirubin levels), get their hearing tested, have the Illinois State Newborn screen collected via a heel poke, and they have a screening for heart disease (call the pulse oximetry test). They should also get their first Hepatitis B vaccine before going home. Lots of skin to skin time with both parents is good for your baby. Did you know, most babies lose some of their birth weight in the first few days of life? This will be monitored closely in the hospital and when you go home. At any point if you have questions about your newborn or their care feel free to ask!
For parents delivering at Northwest Community Hospital
Upon registration for your delivery and again at admission to the hospital simply give the personnel the name of any one of our doctors or office. They will then contact North Arlington Pediatrics to let us know your baby has been born! One of our doctors will come see your baby for their first check up at the hospital within the first 24 hours of life. At discharge we will advise you on when to schedule your baby's first office visit--typically one to three days after going home.
For parents delivering at other hospitals
Upon registration for your delivery and again at admission to the hospital simply give the personnel the name of any one of our doctors or office. They will then notify the on-staff pediatricians to see your baby. At discharge they will advise you on when to schedule your baby's first office visit--typically one to three days after going home. Please call our office the day you go home at (847) 253-3600 to schedule this visit. Don't worry we save spots on our schedule to ensure all babies can get seen. Your hospital typically sends over discharge paperwork to us, but this can take a few days. Please try to remember to bring you and your baby's hospital discharge paperwork with you to your first visit. This should include birth details, hearing screening, the date of the baby's first Hepatitis B vaccine, and any lab results.