Maternity

Overview

A unique, family-centered approach to the childbearing year. Gone are the days when maternity care involved only the mother and baby. We believe in a family-centered approach, which may involve all family members at various times during the prenatal, childbirth and postpartum periods. We offer numerous educational programs, your choice of labor support people during the birth experience, extended father, sibling and grandparent visiting, lactation support services and more.

The entire family is encouraged to learn about and participate in newborn care at the mother’s bedside. Babies can room-in 24 hours-a-day, with our expert nursing staff available to assist you around the clock. Even after discharge, our ABC (Answers for Baby Care) Hot Line is available to address your questions and concerns.

Phelps offers a full range of obstetrical services for you and your baby. Our Family Centered Teaching Programs are taught by our own certified nurses, both during pregnancy and following the baby’s birth. Our new facilities and homey furnishings contribute to a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Our diagnostic facilities offer parents the leading edge of technology, and our highly skilled nursing staff assures families receive the best professional care.

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Birthing Center

The Phelps Family Birthing Center offers four state-of-the-art Birthing Rooms (also called LDR’s for Labor, Delivery and Recovery), which are fully equipped with comfortable birthing beds; three labor tubs for relaxation and labor pain management; and a bassinet area for the immediate care of the newborn.

The medical and nursing staff all work around the mother’s need for comfort and privacy. The mother’s choice of labor partner may remain throughout the birth process to provide coaching and emotional support.

We encourage parents to participate in some form of Childbirth Preparation in the prenatal period and to formulate a birth plan together with their obstetrician or certified nurse midwife. The Birthing Center nurses, many of whom are certified childbirth educators, are prepared to assist you with breathing and relaxation techniques. If additional pain management is desired, medication is available by order of the physician or midwife, and the Anesthesia Department is readily available for other methods of pain control. A laboring mother may request acupuncture treatment for relaxation and pain management as well.

In the event that a Cesarean birth is necessary, the procedure is done within the Birthing Center. A support person may remain with the mother, if she wishes, with the approval of the obstetrician and anesthesiologist.

We actively encourage the bonding process by providing extended parent-newborn contact immediately following the birth and throughout the postpartum hospitalization. Within the Birthing Center, our nursing staff will assist new mothers in initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of life in most cases. In fact, our Maternity Unit has received numerous commendations for breastfeeding support.

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Maternity Unit

While you are a patient in our Family Centered Maternity Unit, a Coordinating RN assigned to you will care for you and your baby based on individual needs of your family. That nurse is your nurse. She will speed you on your way to recovery while teaching your family the basics of infant care — feeding, bathing, diapering and getting to know the unique characteristics of your baby.

If you plan to breastfeed, individualized instruction and support are available from the nursing staff and Board Certified Lactation Consultants. Phelps is a participant in the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative sponsored by UNICEF in support of breastfeeding families. Breastfeeding mothers and babies are invited back after discharge for a complimentary visit with a lactation specialist.

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Special Features

• All newborns are given hearing screenings
• Hepatitis B vaccinations are available to all newborns, with parental consent
• Circumcision is available if desired
• Complimentary Celebration Dinner
• Keepsake footprints of your baby
• Nursery photos are available for purchase
• Optional extended stay program
• Newborn Channel and On-Demand Video Education

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Lactation Center

Board Certified Lactation Consultants and nurse lactation counselors will be available to provide instruction, counseling and assistance for breastfeeding mothers — biological or adoptive. A rental station for breast pumps and other equipment is available for special needs. A complimentary lactation follow-up visit is offered after discharge to all breastfeeding mothers who deliver at Phelps.

Phelps nurses and lactation consultants have been uniquely successful in encouraging and assisting mothers in breastfeeding. Phelps is recognized by the New York State Department of Health as one of the top 10 hospitals statewide with the highest percentage of mothers who exclusively breastfeed their newborns.

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Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP)

Phelps and Open Door Family Medical Center in Ossining, participants in the Medicaid Prenatal Care Assistance Program, jointly sponsor a Prenatal Program. Care for expectant mothers is provided by a highly trained, caring, bilingual staff. No one is turned away based on income. Women are encouraged to seek prenatal care early in their pregnancy. Care is provided at Open Door during the first 36 weeks of pregnancy and at Phelps during the remainder of the pregnancy and for delivery. For information, call: (914) 941-1263, or go to www.opendoormedical.org/for-patients/prenatal-care/.

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Educational Programs

Classes which instruct parents and other infant caregivers, taught by our own certified nurses, both during pregnancy and following the baby’s birth. Since classes usually begin around the 7th month, the best time to register is in the 2nd trimester (4th to 6th month). Courses include:

ABC’s of Baby Care:
Information on bathing, cord care, circumcision care, how to set up a nursery, choosing a pediatrician, feeding, basic first-aid techniques, and first aid for the choking infant.
ABC’s of Baby Care Classes
ABC’s of Baby Care for Adoptive Parents Classes

Breastfeeding – First Choice for Babies:
Offers information and instruction for mothers who plan to breastfeed or who are undecided.
Breastfeeding – First Choice for Babies Classes

Lamaze Childbirth:
This series of classes is designed to cover all aspects of the childbirth experience. We offer information on the following topics: pregnancy, labor, delivery, caesarean section, the newborn, and the techniques of Lamaze childbirth preparation – including exercise, relaxation, breathing, and pharmacologic pain management. Tour and childbirth films are included.
The Childbirth – Experience/LaMaze Method Classes

Childbirth Education Refresher and Vaginal Birth After Caesarean Class:
This class stresses the changes between first and subsequent births while reviewing all relaxation and breathing techniques. Practical labor management strategies are offered for parents who have had a prior caesarean and now anticipate a vaginal birth. A tour of the Birthing Center follows the class.
Childbirth Preparation Refresher/VBAC Preparation Classes

Big Brother/Big Sister: Sibling Preparation:
This program is offered to help older siblings adjust to the new baby. Besides calming fears about their new position in the family, the program helps children learn what to expect and how to interact with the new baby. Appropriate for children 3-8 years old. Please call for information about arranging tours for younger children.
Big Brother/Big Sister: Sibling Preparation Classes

Tot Saver Program:
This 6-8-hour class includes the pediatric component of the American Heart Association CPR for Family and Friends. This class is physically demanding and should not be taken during the last trimester of pregnancy. Prior review of course materials is required.
Tot Saver Program Classes

A Registration form is provided for your convenience. Review the Class Schedules above. CALL (914) 366-3382 to pre-select your classes. Once you have received confirmation, please click here to view our Registration Form, print out the form, and mail it with your check payable to:

“Family Centered Teaching Programs” to:
Barbara Bruno, RN, Maternal-Child Nursing Director
Phelps Memorial Hospital Center
701 North Broadway
Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591

You will receive confirmation by mail or phone.

See all Maternity Classes

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Other Information

Visiting Hours:
Fathers/significant others enjoy unrestricted visiting hours. Visiting hours for all others are from 11am – 8:30pm.

Tours:
Tours of the Birthing Center and Maternity Unit are arranged by appointment. Please call (914) 366-3559 or (914) 366-3554 at the time you would like to visit. Please understand that if the unit is busy, you may be asked to call back at another time.

Billing:
A Patient Representative in the business office will work with you or family members to assist with financial details and insurance coverage. In anticipation of your hospital stay, you are urged to obtain a pre-admission form from your physician and forward the completed form to the hospital Admitting Office.

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Contact

Phelps Maternal Child Unit
701 North Broadway
Sleepy Hollows, NY 10591
(914) 366-3382

Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP)
(914) 941-1263

Obstetricians and Midwives

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