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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about our maternity services
Registration/Admission Information
Labor and Deliver Information
Baby Information
Discharge Information/Support Groups
Registration/Admission Information
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR MY HOSPITAL STAY?
 A pre-admission form obtained from your obstetrician’s office should be completed and returned to the Admissions Department six weeks prior to your due date.
Insurance information is necessary before your due date; you should call your insurance carrier with any coverage questions. You will be asked to update your insurance information when coming to the hospital. You are also required to have a valid form of ID.
WHERE DO I PARK THE CAR?
Parking is available in our visitors’ lot located in front of the hospital. YOU MUST BRING YOUR PARKING TICKET IN WITH YOU TO PROCESS PAYMENT. Kiosks are located in the lobby. Cash payment is required, credit cards are not accepted.
WHAT PAPERWORK DO I NEED TO BRING TO THE HOSPITAL?
Valid picture ID and any other necessary paperwork from the obstetrician’s office. Necessary paperwork includes: tubal ligation consent (if procedure is being done at time of delivery), Group B Strep and hepatitis status documents.
MY OBSTETRICIAN HAS INSTRUCTED ME TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, WHERE DO I GO?
All mothers in labor, including scheduled cesarean birth or labor induction, proceed directly to the third floor. Take the front elevator to the third floor and register at the security desk. Security will then direct you to the Perinatal Evaluation and Treatment Unit (or “PET” Unit). If you are there for a labor check, both an OB nurse and an OB resident will make the assessment. They will be in communication with your obstetrician, who will determine if you will be admitted or sent home.
ARE CHILDCARE SERVICES AVAILABLE WHILE I AM IN LABOR OR ON THE PET UNIT?
There are no childcare services available in the PET Unit or Labor and Delivery. Please make arrangements ahead of time for childcare for siblings.
WILL CELL PHONES BE ALLOWED ON THE MATERNITY UNIT?
Cell phones are permitted on the maternity unit. Not all cell phones work reliably, depending on the cellular provider. We also suggest that your labor partner call a family contact person periodically while you are in labor. Please instruct other family/friends to call that person for updates and NOT to call the hospital for progress. Please remember to bring your cell phone CHARGER and take it home when you are discharged.
WHERE IS THE MATERNITY UNIT LOCATED
Labor & Delivery suites and Post Partum are located on the third floor. The Family Centered Care Units are located on the third and sixth floors of the main hospital building. Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or ” NICU” is also located on the third floor.
WHAT ARE THE VISITING HOURS?
There is an open visiting policy for partners. Your partner is permitted to sleep over if you do not have a roommate. All other visitors, including baby’s siblings may visit between 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. No children under the age of 12 years old are permitted except siblings.
WHAT TYPES OF AMENITIES ARE INCLUDED IN OUR ROOMS?
All our rooms are private –at no additional cost. . If the census should demand a roommate, a private room will be assigned as soon as possible. Each room provides a warm and comforting environment to encourage bonding and celebration.
The Post Partum Units offer a host of free amenities including: a personal refrigerator stocked with light refreshments, upscale toiletries and a snack basket. There is complimentary wireless internet access in each room. An in-room relaxation massage will be offered to new moms.
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Labor and Delivery Information
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN LABOR AND DELIVERY?
Labor and Delivery consists of 15 private birthing rooms, four traditional operating/delivery and cesarean birth rooms and a large recovery room. If the census permits and you have a vaginal delivery, you will recover in the birthing room. If delivery is by cesarean birth you will recover in our large recovery room for a minimum of two to four hours.
WHAT ABOUT LABOR SUPPORT?
You are allowed one other person in addition to your partner/ significant other in the labor and delivery room. Children under the age of 16 years old are not permitted in Labor and Delivery. We do not have childcare services available in Labor and Delivery. Your labor partner will be issued a badge designating his/her role and another badge will be given for an additional support person.
WHAT IS A VBAC?
A VBAC is a vaginal birth after cesarean. There is no hospital policy prohibiting a ”VBAC.” The decision to have a VBAC or C-Section will be made at the time of delivery by mom and her obstetrician.
If I HAVE A CESAREAN BIRTH WHO CAN BE PRESENT?
Only fathers/ partners are allowed to be present during cesarean births. The patient is prepped for surgery and when ready the partner is called in to support the mom and be present at the birth.
WHAT ABOUT ANESTHESIA?
We have 24-hour coverage on the unit. Any obstetrical anesthesia questions can be answered by calling the Anesthesia Office at
973-322-5512.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE OBSTETRICAL RESIDENT?
Saint Barnabas Medical Center is a teaching hospital. Residents initially evaluate all maternity patients upon admission and provide care during labor. Residents are monitored by your obstetrician at all times and are in contact with him/her regularly. Except under emergency circumstances, they act under orders from your obstetrician. In an emergency and until your obstetrician is contacted/available, the residents may act under the guidance of an on-site obstetrician who monitors the Residents’ actions.
WHAT IS CORD BLOOD BANKING AND IS IT AVAILABLE AT SAINT BARNABAS?
If you are considering cord blood/placenta banking, now is the time to find out about your options and make arrangements with an agency. Saint Barnabas does have an affiliation with “Life Bank, USA”. For further information call 1-877-543-3226. If you are planning on cord blood banking please let the nurses know upon admission.
MAY WE TAKE PICTURES OF THE DELIVERY AND/OR VIDEO?
Yes. Be sure to limit your picture taking to only your baby and mother.
HOW AND WHEN ARE THE BABIES IDENTIFIED?
Identification bracelets are applied to the baby, mom and the partner at the time of delivery; before the baby leaves the delivery room. Please do not remove the bracelets for the duration of the hospital stay. These bracelets have the same corresponding numbers. Babies cannot be taken out of the nursery by the parents until the bracelets are checked. Footprints of the baby, plus a finger print of the mom are taken immediately after birth. Souvenir footprints are also taken at the time of the delivery.
WHAT ABOUT INFANT SECURITY?
Security of the baby and the mother is our primary concern on all our Maternity units. In addition to internal security policies, a state-of-art, computerized security system is in place for all infants while here at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Father/significant other should not remove their ID bracelet until baby is discharged.
WHAT IS THE EXPECTED LENGTH OF STAY IN THE HOSPITAL?
Most vaginal deliveries have a two-night stay and cesarean births have a three-night stay at the hospital. Your obstetrician can extend your stay if medically warranted. Please arrange to leave the hospital by 11 a.m. once you have been discharged.
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Baby Information
 WILL THERE BE SOMEONE TO HELP ME WITH BREASTFEEDING MY BABY?
Yes. All of our nurses are trained to provide you with lactation assistance and support. In addition, group breastfeeding classes are offered during your hospital stay.
CAN MY BABY REMAIN IN MY ROOM?
Yes. Baby safety aspects of rooming in will be explained upon admission to post partum.
WHAT IS ROUTINELY DONE IN THE NURSERY?
For vaginal births, the baby’s weight and length are recorded after delivery in the birthing room. A Vitamin K injection is given for blood clotting. An antibiotic ointment is administered in the baby’s eyes to prevent infection. These procedures on cesarean birth babies are done in the nursery. Tests recommended by the State of NJ are obtained at the appropriate time during your stay. Your pediatrician may also order additional blood tests. A hearing screening and bilirubin screening will be done at some time during the baby’s hospital stay.
WHEN WILL THE PEDIATRICIAN SEE MY BABY?
The nursery staff will contact your pediatrician when the baby is admitted to the nursery. If your baby needs immediate medical care, the anesthesiologist or a hospital neonatologist will provide immediate attention. In most cases, your baby’s physician will examine your baby thoroughly within 24 hours or sooner. If your pediatrician is not on staff at SBMC, a pediatrician will be assigned to your baby.
 DOES THE HOSPITAL TAKE NEWBORN PICTURES?
Yes. Information on newborn pictures and an order form will be provided
WHERE DO I GET INFORMATION REGARDING MY BABY’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE?
A birth certificate department representative will obtain information after the delivery on your post partum unit. Birth certificates usually take two to four weeks and will be mailed to your home. In addition, The Saint Barnabas Medical Center Community Advocates sell souvenir birth certificates. Legal birth certificates are required by the State of New Jersey - every birth must be registered.
There is a section on the birth certificate form to request a social security number for your baby. It can take from six weeks to eight weeks to receive the number from the Social Security office. The social security number will be mailed to your home.
ARE ANY ADDITIONAL MATERNAL SCREENINGS DONE DURING MY HOSPITAL STAY?
New Jersey State Law requires that all moms be screened for Post Partum Depression during their post partum stay.
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Discharge Information/Support Groups
WHAT TIME IS DISCHARGE TIME?
Please arrange to leave the hospital by 11 a.m.
DO I NEED A CAR SEAT FOR THE FIRST RIDE HOME?
Yes, it is required by law. It is a good idea to do a trial run with a doll or a teddy bear to make sure you know how to adjust the straps and secure the car seat. Babies should always face toward the rear of the car and MUST be placed in the back seat. There is no need to bring the car seat to the post partum unit, leave it in the car. Please remember that there are many car seats on the market and the hospital staff is not permitted to assist with the installation. If you have any questions regarding car seat installation we recommend calling the Traffic Safety Division at
1- 800-422-3750 or visit njsaferoads.com.
WHEN WE ARE DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL ARE THERE ANY SUPPORT GROUPS AVAILABLE?
“New Moms’ Circle “and” Breastfeeding Support “are two free support groups that we offer. These groups meet at the Saint Barnabas Ambulatory Care Center, 200 South Orange Avenue, across from the Livingston Mall. Room location may be obtained from the main lobby reception desk. Free valet parking is available. For more information or to register, please call Women’s Health Education/Parent Education at 973-322-5360.
New Moms’ Circle meets Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. This group is led by a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in post partum adjustment. Topics include:” transitioning to parenthood”,” mood changes”,” baby blues verses post partum depression” and ”myths of motherhood.” Registration for the six-week series is necessary as group size is limited.
A Breastfeeding Support Group meets Tuesday mornings from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. This group will help you achieve the confidence and skills needed to have a wonderful nursing experience.
Topics include:” breastfeeding basics,” “commonly asked questions”, “troubleshooting”, and” going back to work”. Registration is required.
WHAT OTHER SERVICES ARE OFFERED BY WOMEN’S HEALTH/PARENT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT?
Women’s Health/Parent Education offers breast pump and breastfeeding accessories for sale and rent. Please call Women’s Health Education at 973-322-5360 for fees and pick up arrangements.
Additional childbirth preparation and other education courses including at-home DVD courses are available. A registration form is available on our website or call 973-322-5360.
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