Frequently Asked Questions
How many rooms are there in The Family Birthplace?
There are 12 labor/delivery/recovery (LDR) suites and 16 postpartum, mother/baby rooms.
What do the rooms look like?
All LDR suites in the Family Birthplace are private. The Mother/Baby rooms are semi-private, decorated in soft, inviting colors and are arranged to ensure each patient's privacy. They all have a hospital bed with a sleeper chair for the support person. The rooms have televisions with VCRs.
What is the normal length of stay in the hospital?
Most moms stay 24 to 72 hours after the delivery, depending on their individual condition.
How can I register for my hospital stay?
Simply complete and submit the Secure Online Patient Pre-Registration Form, or obtain a registration form from your doctor or midwife. Complete the form and return it to Memorial Regional Hospital with a copy of your insurance card and picture identification. Mail the information to:
Memorial Regional Hospital
Attn: Admitting Office
3501 Johnson Street
Hollywood, FL 33021
You may also fax the information to (954) 985-6109 or drop it off at the hospital, Monday - Friday, 7am - 6pm or Saturday, 7am - 3pm.
How can I register for classes?
Complete the Online Class Information Form or call us at (954) 985-5930.
How do I know when to come to the hospital?
Check with your doctor or midwife for directions and timing on when to come to the hospital.
Will my healthcare provider give me anything to bring to the hospital?
Yes. Your doctor or midwife should give you either a yellow card or a copy of your medical records to bring to the hospital. This will contain the results of your lab work. It is very important that you bring this with you so we can provide optimum care for you and your baby.
Where do I go when I arrive at the hospital in labor or for a planned induction or cesarean?
Come directly to the Emergency Room entrance. There you will receive an identification band to help ensure your safety during your hospital stay. After being identified, you will be escorted to Labor and Delivery, where you will be evaluated.
What are the visiting hours for The Family Birthplace?
We realize that many friends and family members will want to visit at this joyful time. However, your birth experience may be tiring. For this reason, we encourage you to use your time in the hospital to rest and get to know your baby with minimal interruption. We do not limit visiting hours in Labor and Delivery; however, only two visitors may visit at one time. Once moved to the Mother/Baby unit, visitors are limited to two (plus the banded person) at one time until 11pm. One adult may stay the night, if the mother chooses.
What security measures are in place to keep my baby safe?
All doorways to the Family Birthplace are locked and equipped with security cameras. Security guards at the entrances to Labor and Delivery and the Mother/Baby units check all visitors' names against a list prepared by the mother. The visiting policy is strictly enforced, as the safety of newborns and mothers are one of our highest priorities. In addition, babies are footprinted and banded at birth with identification bands and a security sensor. The best security, however, is the parents' watchful eye on the baby.
Can the baby “room in” with me?
Yes! We encourage you to keep the baby in the room with you as much as possible. This allows you to care for your baby while in the hospital with the assistance of the nurses. If questions arise, this is the ideal opportunity to address them. Remember, the safety of your baby is most important. If you are too tired to keep an eye on your baby and there is no one else staying with you, a nurse might suggest that your baby be taken to the nursery while you rest.
What is the procedure for a scheduled induction or cesarean section?
Call your physician for directions about where and when to come to the hospital. Remember that priority is always given to women in labor, unless the induction or Cesarean is urgent. If your procedure is not of an urgent nature, you may be asked to stay at home until a bed is available. Please note that a scheduled date and time is NOT a reservation.
What personal items should I bring to the hospital?
Bring anything to help you through your labor: massage oils and tools, a CD or cassette player, or lip balm, for example. We provide pillows, but you may prefer your own from home. For postpartum, bring toiletries, a hair dryer, toothbrush and toothpaste, a nursing bra, a nightgown, slippers and a robe. Also bring a case for your eyeglasses or contact lenses, if necessary. Please leave jewelry and money at home.
What should I bring to the hospital for my baby?
The hospital provides T-shirts, but we encourage you to bring several long sleepers with cuffs to cover your baby's hands. You will also need a car seat and blanket for discharge. The hospital provides blankets and diapers while the baby is in the hospital, but you will need your own supply for home. Florida state law requires that babies be secured in a car seat when riding in an automobile. We encourage all parents to have the installation of their baby’s car seat checked by a Child Passenger Safety Technician before discharge. Call (877) KID-SEAT for assistance.
Who is responsible for overseeing my baby’s medical care in the hospital?
Your baby's pediatrician will coordinate care with the nurses. By the time you are 35 weeks into your pregnancy, you should have a pediatrician for your baby. If you do not have a pediatrician, call the Memorial Physician Referral Service at (800) 944-DOCS. Please bring the name and phone number of your pediatrician to the hospital. If your pediatrician is not on the medical staff at Memorial Regional Hospital, the staff neonatologist will act as the pediatrician during your hospital stay.
Is there a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Memorial Regional Hospital?
Yes. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital (JDCH) is a Level II and Level III NICU with the latest high-tech equipment and a highly trained staff. Our NICU is one of the few regional Perinatal Intensive Care Centers in Florida. There is 24-hour in house coverage by neonatology. Parents are encouraged to visit and care for their NICU baby as much as medically possible.
What are the visiting hours in the NICU?
Parents may visit 22 hours a day; the hours of 6:30 - 7:30am and 6:30 - 7:30pm are excluded to preserve confidentiality during shift changes. Other visitors may come when accompanied by the parents. We ask that only two people visit the bedside at one time. Visitors must be 18 or older; however, siblings 12 or older may visit when accompanied by a parent. To protect the health of our premature and sick babies, no one should visit with fever or other signs of a cold or flu.
Is there lactation support at Memorial Regional Hospital?
Yes! We have board-certified lactation consultants on staff who will support you in your experience. The Lactation Center provides consultation after discharge, as well as many other services for the mother who chooses to breastfeed.
Will the hospital take my baby’s picture?
Growing Families representatives are available after your delivery to take newborn photos. They offer package purchases and secure online posting on their Web Nursery website in a password protected environment.