Patient Care Services

Labor and delivery
For causes and symptoms of premature labor, see Patient Information Sheet for Premature Labor.

Our private labor, delivery and recovery (LDR) rooms on the third floor are equipped with color televisions, telephones, lavatories and comfortable birthing beds. Women who feel able to do so are encouraged to walk during the early stages of labor, which can make them more comfortable. One support person may be present during labor and delivery.

Anesthesia is provided during this time based on a woman's wishes and her physician's recommendations. Epidural anesthesia is most commonly used because it allows women to remain awake during the delivery and actively involved in the delivery process.

After the baby is born, parents and baby remain in the labor and delivery room for a while. This can be a special time for bonding, and new mothers are encouraged to initiate breastfeeding during this period. Husbands are invited to be present in both the LDR room and cesarean birth room, which is located in the delivery suite.

Right after birth, your baby will be evaluated by a Greenwich Hospital pediatrician or neonatal nurse practitioner, who checks your baby's vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate, and gives your baby an APGAR score. This is a judgment of the baby's activity, pulse, grimace, appearance and color. If your child is male, you will be asked about circumcision.

Babies are weighed and given treatment to prevent eye infection. Also, they receive an essential injection of vitamin K. Identification bands are placed on the baby and both parents, and the baby's footprints and mother's thumbprint are obtained to ensure proper identification.

Cesarean birth
There are many reasons why the decision may be made to perform a cesarean section. Sometimes, the cesarean is planned in advance because of an existing medical condition or because there will be more than two babies born. Other times, a cesarean section is performed after labor fails to progress and there is some concern about the health of the baby or mother.

Anesthesia provided before and during a cesarean section allows women to remain comfortable during the procedure. Most remain awake during the birth. Husbands are invited to be present in the cesarean section room. After giving birth, women who have had a cesarean are encouraged to hold their baby and bond.

Recovery from a cesarean section will take longer than a vaginal birth. However, women who have had cesarean sections will generally be up and out of bed within 24 hours, with the help of their nurse, and are encouraged to walk and move around. They stay in the hospital a few extra days. In addition, new moms who have had a c-section should plan on some extra help for when they leave the hospital.

Vaginal birth after cesarean
If you had a baby by cesarean section and are pregnant again, you might be a candidate for a vaginal birth after cesarean. To find out, discuss the reasons for the previous section with your obstetrician and ask if a VBAC might be possible this time.