Expecting a baby fills your life with excitement, anticipation and sometimes concern if complications arise. We’re here to support moms-to-be and their families through each phase of pregnancy. And when the time comes to deliver your baby, all the care you need is available in your neighborhood.

McDowell Hospital provides complete obstetrical and gynecological services, including childbirth education classes, but we’re especially proud of our family-centered Labor/Delivery and Mother/Baby units. At McDowell Hospital you’ll find labor and delivery rooms designed for comfort but equipped with advanced technology, a dedicated operating room located on the unit and a postpartum Mother/Baby unit where babies room with moms and families are always welcome.

If you have any questions, contact us any time using our convenient online form, or call the hospital at 828-650-5000. To make an appointment with McDowell OB/GYN physicians, please call 828-659-5280.

Childbirth Education: Childbirth education classes are offered during pregnancy; to schedule classes please call 828-659-5330.

Labor and Delivery

At McDowell Hospital, moms labor, give birth and recover in one private room. Everything you need for a safe labor and delivery is in the birthing room, including fetal monitors, a bed that pulls apart for delivery and medical equipment. Our rooms have accommodations for your partner and, as space allows, friends and family members may remain in the room to share your birthing experience.

• Soaking tubs are available in each room to help moms relax and relieve pain during labor; however we do not offer water births.
• Several medical options are offered to ease labor pain; talk to your physician to determine the best choice.
• Anesthesiologists are on site regardless of the time of your labor.
• Surgical suite is on the unit for emergencies and to deliver babies by cesarean section.

Labor Instructions and Guidelines

• Call your physician any time you experience bleeding, sharp pain or if you have any concerns.
• Relax at home during the first stage of labor; at least up until contractions occur regularly every 5 minutes.
• Labor may begin before, or after, your water breaks, but always call your physician if your water breaks. Be sure to note when the water broke, how much fluid came out and its color.
• Strong contractions that last 45 to 60 seconds and that are three to four minutes apart indicate active labor; this is when you should come to the hospital.
• When you come to the hospital, you should always enter through the Emergency Room doors and check in.

Mother and Baby

After mother and baby recover from delivery, they’re moved to a private room on the Mother/Baby unit. Unless special medical needs arise, you and your baby stay together in a private room until you’re discharged.

McDowell Hospital’s Mother/Baby unit creates a safe environment that allows precious time to bond and encourages family and friends to share in the first days of your new baby’s life:

• All nurses are certified in neonatal resuscitation by the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP).
• Nurses provide newborn and postpartum care in the mother/baby room
• Moms receive personal support with baby care
• Open visitation—we encourage visits from family and friends
• Nursery available for testing and to treat jaundice with bilirubin lights.

Postpartum Education: If you’re a first-time mom, or if you’re a mom with any type of question, our specialists are available to help:

• Post-delivery instruction by a certified childbirth educator
• Breast feeding support by a certified lactation consultant
• Free DVD teaching about the dangers of shaking a baby, ways to comfort a crying baby and when to seek a doctor’s help.

Important Security Information

The staff of McDowell Hospital is committed to the safety and security of you and your child. In addition to standard procedures, we’ve installed an added layer of security called Hugs®:

• Hugs® infant protection system: A soft, comfortable Hugs tag is placed around each infant’s ankle; computers monitor the tags and sound an alarm if the tag is removed or the infant is moved to an unauthorized area.
• Security systems: Door locks, cameras and computer monitoring.
• Staff Identification: All staff members wear identification badges; learn what they look like.
• Scheduling: We will let you know ahead of time if your baby will be moved for tests or procedures. Do not let an unfamiliar person take your baby for any reason.

Healthy Beginnings

McDowell Hospital conducts standard newborn tests, has emergency procedures in place, offers home visits for new moms and provides referrals to community programs to ensure your health and well-being:

Newborn Testing. Every newborn baby is routinely screened for rare but potentially dangerous medical conditions. Your physician or nurse will give you information about the tests and answer any questions you might have.

Neonatal Intensive Care. Should your baby need specialized intensive care, be assured that as part of the Mission Health System, we’re prepared to quickly transfer newborns to Mission Children’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Mission’s Mountain Area Medical Airlift (MAMA) has two helicopters available 24 hours a day, with trained staff to provide critical care transport.

Home Visit Programs for New Parents

For families that qualify, our home visit programs supply access to health services and offer family support:

• McDowell First Steps Program: A registered nurse visits to answer questions, see how mother and baby are doing and assist with breast feeding if needed. The nurse will set-up a doctor’s appointment if you or your baby need medical care and she’ll follow-up with a phone call to see if you need any other help. If you have questions about the First Steps program, please call 828-659-5415.

• McDowell Healthy Start: For first-time moms, this program is designed to give support and information to all members of the family. A Family Support Worker will help with whatever issues you face after you bring your new baby home and throughout the first three years of your child’s life. If you’d like to talk with a nurse about Healthy Start, please call 828-659-5427.

Our Team

Delivering a baby at McDowell Hospital means you have access to a team of specialists, including:

• Board certified or board eligible OB/GYN physicians
• Board certified anesthesiologists
• Diagnostic imaging specialists
• Registered nurses, many with special training or certification:
• International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
• Certified Childbirth Educator
• Annual training in breast feeding for all nurses

Appointments and Information

If you have any questions, contact us using our online form or call the hospital at 828-659-5000.

To make an appointment with a McDowell OB/GYN physician, please call 828-659-5280.

Childbirth Education Classes: Call 828-659-5330 to enroll in childbirth education classes.

Insurance

We participate with most insurance plans and will file an insurance claim, but please check with your insurance provider to verify your benefits and their authorization requirements.

Location

Mother and Baby

McDowell Hospital

430 Rankin Dr.

Marion, NC 28752