A New Beginning

Be an Active Participant in Your Care

We believe that you need to be an active and full partner in your care. To help prevent medical errors: • Be sure all the health care professionals involved in your care have important information about you. • Ask your partner or family member to stay with you while you’re in the hospital to be your advocate (someone who can help get things done and speak up for you when you cannot). • Know that “more” is not always better. It is a good idea to find out why a test or treatment is needed and how it can help you. • If you have a test, don’t assume no news is good news. Ask for results of all tests. • Learn about your condition or treatments. Use this book as a reference. NURSE BEDSIDE SHIFT REPORT When your nurse goes off duty — between 7 to 7:30 a.m. and 7 to 7:30 p.m. — they will introduce the next nurse who will be caring for you and your baby. The two will meet at your bedside for 5-10 minutes and share important information about you and your baby’s care. Take this opportunity to share your goals and expectations for the upcoming shift.

Your Clinical Care

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR CLINICAL CARE Your physician has written specific orders for your care. These orders may include: • Assessment of you and your baby’s body. • Lab work specific to you and your baby’s condition. • Type of diet and level of activity. • Medications specific to your diagnosis. • Consultations with other health care professionals, including lactation specialists. What to Expect After Delivery • Your vital signs will be taken at least once per shift — or more frequently, depending on your diagnosis and physician’s orders. • Your activity level will depend on your condition. Most patients can get out of bed and walk after delivery if they are stable. • Vaginal deliveries may take a shower daily if you are stable. Our staff will be happy to help with your hygiene needs. Cesarean deliveries may shower depending on your type of incisional dressing. • If your physician orders lab work, a technician will collect the specimens needed. Please discuss all lab results and questions you may have with your physician. • During your stay, a nurse “leader” will stop to visit you to discuss your hospital experience. You may ask to speak to them to discuss questions or concerns any time during your hospital stay.

Listen You are an important part of your health care team. Listen to your nurses’ report to ensure that they have complete and timely information. Speak Up Ask any questions or raise any concerns you may have. If you do not understand a medical term, feel free to ask them to explain. Participate and Ask Questions Your involvement helps us ensure that you receive the high-quality, individualized care you deserve.

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Your Hospital Stay