When you come to the hospital to have your baby, you'll meet several new people – all are there to ensure your safety and comfort. Here are the team members you'll encounter:
Health unit coordinator
Your first point of contact will greet you, ask your name and your doctor's name. The health unit coordinator will call back to the maternity unit, and direct you where to go.
OB triage nurse
Once you're on the maternity unit, your OB triage nurse will hook you up to a fetal monitor and ask a lot of questions, all to ensure the best possible care for you and your baby. Your OB triage nurse will determine your stage of labor and prepare you for surgery if you're there for a scheduled C-section. You usually spend only a short amount of time in triage. One exception is if you need cervical ripening (synthetic prostaglandins that soften or thin the cervix), which might take more time.
Labor and delivery nurse
When you're in active labor, you'll meet your labor and delivery nurse. Depending on how long the process takes, you may have just one or you may have a few due to shift changes. Your nurse will check your progress, administer medications as necessary and communicate directly with your obstetrician.
Patient care technicians
Patient care technicians take vital signs, collect specimens, and help you with personal hygiene and grooming when needed.
Anesthesiologist
If you request an epidural, you'll also meet an anesthesiologist who specializes in pain relief.
Transition nurse
Once you're close to delivery, you'll meet your transition nurse. Your labor and delivery nurse will continue to care for you, and your transition nurse will prepare to take care of your baby when they are delivered. The transition nurse will ensure your newborn is breathing appropriately and has a strong heart rate. This nurse also will get your baby’s official weight and length measurements.
Hospitalist
You may encounter a board-certified obstetrician known as a hospitalist who will work with your personal obstetrician in case of emergency, or if your doctor is unavailable or needs assistance. The hospitalist will also see you in OB triage if you come for any reason other than a labor check.
Postpartum nurse
You and your newborn will be cared for by a postpartum nurse. This is also referred to as couplet care — one nurse for you and your baby as a "couple."
Unless your newborn needs to be in the special care nursery, your baby will be rooming with you. This will allow for plenty of bonding time. Your postpartum nurse assesses you and your baby each time they visit your room, looking for anything out of the ordinary. This nurse can help you with:
- Diaper changing and breastfeeding
- Ensuring that you're healing properly and that the baby is feeding properly
- Determining what's normal and what's not — the most important step before you head home with your baby in tow
A pediatrician
Your pediatrician will visit your newborn in the hospital to check your baby's health. This physician will also see you and your baby again a week after you're discharged from the hospital.
A hearing technician
Your newborn also will receive a hearing screening from a hearing technician while in the hospital.
Having a C-section?
Your team members will differ if you're having a C-section. You'll meet an anesthesiologist, scrub technician and RN first assist. All will be working in the operating room, focusing on safely delivering your baby.