Obstetrical Services at Touchette Regional Hospital

The Obstetrics Department has recently undergone exciting updates to help us serve you better and more efficiently.

In August, 2009, we purchased and installed 6 new radiant warmers. These warmers comply with the American Academy of Pediatric recommendations for neonatal resuscitation. Each features a memory foam mattress and a built in scale so we can share the baby's weight with parents right in the delivery room! The warmers have many developmentally appropriate features which enable our nurses to provide quality, age specific care.

In January, 2010, we installed 14 new fetal monitors. These monitors include technology to monitor mom's vital signs and contraction status and baby's heart rate. We also now offer wireless monitoring for our moms. Mom can walk the halls, sit in a rocking chair or even take a shower with the wireless system. The mother is given freedom of movement while allowing nursing staff to monitor the progression of labor and the status of the baby.

In conjunction with the fetal monitor implementation, we also installed an OB specific documentation system. This new system provides our nurses the ability to enter data directly into the computer at the bedside. This technology increases time spent at the bedside with our patients. We can also retrieve and trend information faster and more efficiently. This system is an exciting addition to our unit!

Touchette Regional Hospital is pleased to be your choice for your birthing experience! Our qualified staff welcomes hundreds of babies each year to our Nursery. Every Obstetrical Nurse is trained in Neonatal Resuscitation and an advanced Level II Nursery is available for those infants who need special care.

The arrival of your new baby is an exciting time in your life and we know you want to share your joy with your family and friends. Recently, we have adapted new overnight visitors and day visitors policies. Below you will find the policy that is just right for you during:

Labor & Delivery Call 618-332-5490
Nursery & After Delivery Call 618-332-5247

Visiting Policies: During Labor Visitors: are limited to 4 people at a time per room may rotate visiting times with other support persons in the waiting room may be limited or asked to leave depending on the patient's medical condition must be at least 12 years old or a sibling of the new baby must be free from signs of infection

During Delivery Visitors: are limited to 3 people at a time per room (space permitting) are asked to follow the guidance of the labor nurse may be asked to leave the delivery suite at anytime at the discretion of the attending physician and/or labor nurse

Immediately After Delivery Visitors: will be limited (immediately after delivery) to allow for assessment of our Mom and clean up of the delivery suite can view the new baby through our nursery viewing window at this time

During the Post Delivery Period Visitors: are limited to 4 people at a time per room may rotate visiting times with other support persons in the waiting room may be limited or asked to leave depending on the patient's medical condition must be at least 12 years old or a sibling of the new baby must be free from signs of infection must wash their hands after entering your room

Overnight Support Persons Guidelines: One support person is permitted to spend the night provided the new Mom does not have a roommate If Moms are sharing a room, the support person is permitted to visit until 11pm, and then must leave to allow adequate rest and privacy for other new Moms The designated support person who is allowed to spend the night will receive an armband for security purposes We ask that support persons please observe quiet hours from 11pm to 7am. During these hours, please limit your trips off the unit and refrain from noisy activities so our Moms will not be disturbed If you must leave the building between quiet hours 11pm to 7am, you must reenter the building using he Emergency Room entrance. Inside the Emergency Room waiting area stop at the security office and show your armband to be escorted to the Post Delivery Unit The support person is provided with bed linens and a sleeper chair Sleeper chairs must be reassembled by 8am in order for our nurses to provide proper care to our new Moms During the morning hours, the support person must remain in the Mother's room to provide privacy for our other Mothers who are showering