1. © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com Welcome to the High River Maternity Unit Virtual Tour

2. Time for Baby © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com The High River hospital is located at 560 9 Avenue SW Limited parking is available in the parking lot outside the hospital. Street parking is also available.

3. Packing for labour A list of what to bring to the hospital is available in the Healthy Parents Healthy Children ‘Pregnancy and Birth’ book. Both books are useful resources packed with information from prenatal through to age 6. The books are available online at www.healthyparentshealthychildren.ca or in hard copy by getting a redemption card from your doctor or midwife to exchange for the books at your local Community Health Clinic. www.healthyparentshealthychildren.ca © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com

4. From The Parking Lot Go to the main entrance. The main door is open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. If you arrive between 11:00pm - 6:00 am use the telephone to request entry. You can also phone ahead to the maternity unit to let them know you are on your way! (403-652-2200) © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com

5. Getting to the Maternity Unit The maternity unit is located on the main floor. Proceed past the admitting desk and follow the signs to unit 100 © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com

6. Welcome to the Maternity Unit! Stop at the reception desk. The clerk will check you in, and then you will go through to the unit. © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com

7. Assessing Your Labour First you will be assessed in an assessment (Triage) room. Your contractions will be monitored, your blood pressure taken, and you will be asked questions about your pregnancy and your contractions. After the assessment is completed, your doctor or midwife will be notified. If you are in active labour, you will be admitted to the unit. If you are in very early labour and are having no problems, you may be sent home with instructions about when to return. © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com

8. Your Labour and Birth Room Your private labour / birthing room has a bed and chair. Walking is a great way to enhance labour and your nurse can also show you how to use the bed in different ways and can also supply you with a birth ball so you can change positions for comfort. © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com

9. Your Private Bathroom Each room has its own bathroom with shower. Many women find that using the shower during labour helps them stay more comfortable. © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com

10. Support During Labour You are welcome to have support people with you in labour. It is beneficial to choose supporters who are capable and comfortable with providing the emotional and physical comfort measures that you will learn about in your prenatal classes. © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com

11. If Baby Is Born By Cesarean Birth © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com Should a cesarean birth be needed one support person can come into the operating room with you.

12. After A Cesarean Birth © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com After baby is born you will be moved to a recovery area where you will be monitored and have the opportunity to have skin-to- skin time with your baby. The nurse can also help you with baby's first breastfeed. You will then be moved to your room for the rest of your stay. After a cesarean birth the average stay is 48 hours.

13. Breastfeeding © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com It is normal for your newborn to feed frequently in the first few days to help you establish a good milk supply. The postpartum nurses will help you learn how to feed your baby.

14. Your Postpartum Stay © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com One or two hours after your baby is born you will be moved to your postpartum room. You will stay in either a private or shared room. The average length of stay is 24 hours after a vaginal birth.

15. Your Postpartum Stay A bassinet is provided for your baby. Baby will stay with you in your room. Here as much skin-to-skin contact as possible is encouraged. © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com A cot can be set up in your postpartum room for your partner or a support person to stay with you.

16. The Importance Of Skin-To-Skin Calms and relaxes both mother and baby Regulates heart rate and breathing in the baby Stimulates digestion Regulates temperature Enables colonisation of baby’s skin with mothers friendly bacteria, thus providing protection against infection © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com Stimulates feeding behaviour Stimulates the release of hormones to support breastfeeding and mothering Helps preterm babies to be more stable, maintain their temperature, fight infection, grow and develop better and be discharged from hospital sooner.

17. The Nutrition Room There is a Nutrition Room on the unit, where you can get snacks, juice, ice, or make hot drinks. © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com

18. The Lounge There is a lounge area for families to use during your stay. © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com

19. Going Home © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com According to Alberta law, infants must travel in an approved rear-facing car seat. Purchase this seat before your baby is born, and read both the manufacturer’s instructions and your vehicle owner’s manual for correct installation. For more information go to – http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/InjuryPrevention/hi-ip-pipt-chc-rf-yes- test-bro.pdf

20. Resources near Home For information about local parenting and support programs go to: http://www.foothillsnetwork.ca/ For information about baby’s development from prenatal to six go to: http://www.healthyparentshealthychildren.ca © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com

21. Best Wishes to you, your baby, and your new family! © Alberta Health Services www.birthandbabies.com For more information on the different pre-natal classes we offer please go to www.birthandbabies.com www.birthandbabies.com