Having Your Baby at Jamaica Hospital
Congratulations – you are pregnant! Welcoming your new baby is a special occasion. Whether you are a new or experienced mother, we are here to help you with your journey to becoming a parent.
Our goal is to make this remarkable time in your life a positive and comfortable experience. Here is a helpful guide that will provide you with information about Jamaica Hospital’s Women’s Pavilion inpatient obstetrical services.
Our Team
You’ll encounter a lot of friendly faces during your visit to our hospital. Our inter-disciplinary team of health professionals is highly trained and we are all prepared to help you with all your maternal care needs.
Our team includes OB/GYNs, pediatricians, neonatologists, nurses, lactation consultants, licensed social workers and additional support staff. We all work together to achieve a single goal, to provide our patients with the very best in healthcare.
Prenatal Care
Our expertise spans across many specialties and services which will provide you with the support needed through the different phases of your pregnancy; preconception to your delivery day.
We offer preconception counseling to discuss steps you can take to become pregnant, address pre-existing medical conditions and develop a plan of care.
Once your pregnancy is confirmed, we encourage beginning your prenatal care right away to ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Receiving proper prenatal care is crucial to your health and your baby’s development. Our team is on hand to provide you with services that include:
- General Obstetrics Care
- High-risk Obstetrics Care
- Diabetes Counseling and Care
We Are a Designated Baby-Friendly USA Hospital
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is pleased to announce that it has been officially awarded Baby-Friendly USA® designation.
Baby- Friendly® designation is a globally known and prestigious recognition awarded to hospitals and birthing facilities that uphold strict breastfeeding/chestfeeding and maternal care guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Childbirth Education Classes
To prepare for your delivery, Jamaica Hospital offers a four-week course which covers topics such as Relaxation and Breathing Techniques, Pre-Labor Signs, Signs of Labor, Pushing and Birth, Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding and Newborn Care. Our specially trained staff will educate you about all the important facts you need to know before your baby’s arrival. Learn More About Our Childbirth Education Classes.
Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Classes
Making sure that you and your baby have the best start is one of our highest priorities. Breastfeeding/chestfeeding your baby will help to provide a strong foundation for their health. Choosing to breastfeed/chestfeed can offer many health benefits including protection from viruses and bacteria, fewer ear infections, bouts of diarrhea and respiratory illnesses.
As part of our commitment to ensuring that mothers and babies’ health get off to a good start, Jamaica Hospital provides free Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Education Classes.
What to Bring on Your Delivery Day
Your health care team would like to remind you to bring insurance information, night gowns, personal hygiene products, baby blankets and outfits. If your new bundle of joy is leaving our hospital by car; don’t forget to bring a car seat. Safety is very important to us. Please remember to leave your jewelry and other valuables at home.
Your Labor Experience
Upon arrival at Jamaica Hospital, you will be taken to our Labor and Delivery Unit, located on the second floor of the hospital. Our Labor, Delivery and Recovery suites (LDR) are spacious and private. Each room is equipped with amenities such as comfortable birthing beds, private bathrooms, personal closets, flat screen TVs, courtesy phone service, rocking chairs and recliners. Our goal is to provide a comfortable environment for you and the newest addition to your family.
What to Expect During Your Stay
Rooming In
We understand the importance of building a bond between you and your baby which is why we practice 24-hour rooming in. After delivery, you and baby will stay together, unless separation is medically required. For infants requiring closer observation, the Newborn Observation Room is available with a team of experts on hand.
Your significant other or loved one is welcomed to spend the night as permitted to assist with caring for the baby. Recliners are also available.
During your stay, learn to care for your new baby in the comfort of your own room. You can learn about feeding cues, as well as health and safety basics that include how to diaper, bathe, feed, and dress your baby. All mothers are invited to learn about newborn care and infant feeding in our daily newborn care sessions.
Our staff will come to you for baby’s checkups and anything else you need.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
In the event your baby should require specialized treatment, our dedicated and highly-trained neonatal intensive care team will monitor your baby’s health 24 hours a day. Our NICU provides cutting-edge services for prematurely born infants or full-term infants who are otherwise medically compromised.
Post Partum Mother-Baby Care
After you have given birth, we continue to provide the quality care needed for your newborn’s healthy beginning. Your support team which includes certified lactation consultants and other health care professionals are available to help you recover and care for your baby. Jamaica Hospital is a designated Baby–Friendly USA® Hospital and we encourage breastfeeding/chestfeeding because of the many health benefits it provides you and your baby.
Visiting Hours
The visiting hours on the Mother-Baby Unit, located on 2 North, are from 9:00 .am. until 8:00p.m. (Overnight stay for fathers/significant others/support person is limited to 1 person). There is no age restriction for young visitors; however, children should be limited to the immediate family of the mother and siblings(s) of the baby. Immunizations should be up to date and visitors should not be exhibiting any flu-like or other symptoms of illness. Children may not be left unattended; they must be under adult supervision at all times while in the hospital.
Quiet Time
We believe a quiet environment is a healing environment. From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the lights are dimmed, and noise is kept to a low level. This allows new moms to rest and have privacy with their newborn.
During quiet time, visitors are still allowed but are asked to keep voices low and maintain noise level at a minimum.
Birth Certificates
While in the Mother-Baby Unit, after you have delivered your baby, our staff will present you with birth certificate papers to be handed in before your day of discharge. The birth certificate and social security card will be mailed to you in 2-8 weeks. More information can be found on the official New York State website here.
Our Birth Registration Office, located in the Admitting Department on the ground floor of the hospital, can be reached at 718-206-8948 during the following hours:
Monday – Saturday (including holidays) 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
– evening hours are also available and are subject to change
Gift Upon Discharge
Every mother receives an exclusive gift upon discharge. It’s our special way of saying thank you for choosing Jamaica Hospital.
Safety is very important to us. An infant leaving the hospital in a vehicle must be placed in a car seat. Feel free to pull your vehicle around towards the front of the hospital. Our staff can help you and your baby during the day of discharge.
We appreciate your choice to have your baby at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and look forward to helping you create memories that will last a lifetime.
