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Maternal Child FAQs
LABOR & DELIVERY
Do I need to go to the Registration Desk when coming to the Labor & Delivery department?

No. You will go directly to the Labor and Delivery Department located on the third floor. The registration process will be completed there.

What are the visiting hours for maternity patients?
Licking Memorial Hospital may temporarily adjusted visitation policies in response to regional and state infectious illness trends to keep patients safe from infection.  Pregnant and recently postpartum patients and newborns are prone to more severe illness from infectious diseases than the general population.  Please visit https://www.lmhealth.org/Quality-Safety/COVID-19-Information-Resources for more information on our current visitors policy.

NURSERY
If I choose to breastfeed, will assistance be available in the hospital?

Yes, a specially trained lactation nurse will be available to assist you and your new baby, to ensure a successful breastfeeding experience.  All nurses also receive additional training in breastfeeding support and education.

How will I know when to feed my baby?
Your postpartum nurse will provide complete education on care of yourself as well as care of your baby, including how often and how much your baby will eat. You should feed your baby within the first hour of life and on demand when baby is showing feeding cues.  This should be 8-12 feedings in a 24-hour period.

Will my son be circumcised while in the hospital?
Circumcision may be performed if it is desired by the parents and will involve a conversation with your pediatrician.          

Will my baby’s hearing be tested before discharge?
Yes, the State of Ohio requires hospitals to perform a hearing screen on all newborns prior to discharge. You will be notified of the screening results before going home.

Should my newborn have the Hepatitis B immunization while in the hospital? 
Yes, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all newborns receive the first dose of Hepatitis B immunization prior to discharge.

MOTHER & BABY
How will I obtain the baby’s birth certificate?

While on the postpartum unit, you will be asked to provide information required for the completion of the birth certificate. The formal birth certificate will be completed by our staff and electronically submitted to the Ohio Department of Health. Instructions on how to obtain your baby's birth certificate from the Licking County Health Department will be provided prior to discharge.  You will receive a complimentary certificate from the hospital, but this is not an official document. It is simply a keepsake.

How long will I be in the hospital following delivery?
Discharge plannin is unique to the patient, newborn, and individual health needs.  Patients who deliver vaginally and experience no complications are usually discharged two days after delivery.  Those who require a cesarean section delivery are typically discharged in three days, providing they experience no complications.  In the event the mother is medically cleared for discharge prior to the newborn, you may discuss the PM Guest program with your nurse to allow continued rooming-in.