Your birthing experience at Chester County Hospital begins with the warm and welcoming environment of our Labor and Delivery Unit. While you're in labor, our specially trained nurses will help make you comfortable while monitoring your progress and communicating closely with the physician. Our ten birthing suites consist of the latest state-of-the-art technology necessary to care for patients during the entire labor and delivery process. Two fully equipped surgical suites and recovery rooms, with physician anesthesiologists available 24 hours a day, are located adjacent to the birthing suites should a cesarean birth be necessary.
Many women find their birthing experience is more comfortable when they have someone close to them by their side. Continuous labor support has been shown to decrease the chance of a cesarean delivery. There is no limit to visitors during labor, but for the birth it is limited to four - your support person and up to three others. Your support person may also accompany you to the surgical suite if a cesarean birth is necessary.
Right after your baby is born, there is a special time called "The Welcome Hour". This includes the baby being immediately placed skin to skin on his/her mother's chest and remaining there for at least sixty minutes. This helps baby transition gently to the outside world and increases bonding. Skin to skin contact helps baby regulate his/her heart rate, breathing, temperature, and blood sugar levels. Another benefit is watching the baby begin to show feeding cues. If you are breastfeeding, watch for these cues and if needed, ask your nurse to help you gently guide the baby to the breast. When babies breastfeed in the first hour or so of life, this sets them up for breastfeeding success. Families usually spend up to two hours in the Labor and Delivery suite (or recovery area) after the birth of their baby. We make every effort to keep you and your baby together after delivery, even if a cesarean birth is required.
Please note: Due to the important benefits of the Welcome Hour, we suggest informing your family and friends in advance that visiting will be delayed until after that first hour or so. Weighing the baby and giving the first medications will also be delayed until after this initial bonding time.