Visitation During Labor Delivery and Birth
Mother / Baby Unit (3 East) Visitation
Birth Certificates and Social Security Information
Baby Photographs and Internet Babies

Visitation During Labor and Delivery and Birth

When you arrive at UT Medical Center, you may be seen by a doctor in the triage area to determine if you are in labor. One support person may accompany you at this time. Once it has been determined that you are going to stay with UT Medical Center, you will be moved to a labor room or LDR.

We encourage you to have two designated support persons to assist you during your birth experience. You may want to choose two people who can best assist you with the type of birth you are planning. A total of four people may be in the LDR at one time. If children are going to be present for the birth experience, an adult other than your support person must accompany them during your time in labor. Discuss your plans with your nurse on arrival to the hospital. We also encourage you to discuss this with your doctor before your delivery.

Once your baby is delivered and you are prepared, visitors are welcome into your room. Everyone needs to wash their hands before holding or touching your baby. To protect your baby from infection, visitors that have a cold or cough are not allowed in the room. Adults and children who have a fever, cough, cold, runny nose, rash, sore throat, diarrhea or any contagious disease are not allowed in the room. Siblings of the new arrival may need to be brought to the room first to encourage family bonding. Children may hold your baby but will need assistance from the support person.

If you are breastfeeding, we encourage you to do this before your visitors come into the room. Usually, you are more relaxed with a minimum number of people present.

You are welcome to take pictures before and after this special occasion but not during the delivery. We encourage you to know how to operate all camera equipment before admission to the hospital.

Smoking is not permitted inside the hospital. There are designated areas outside of the hospital facility.

^ Top Mother/Baby Unit (3 East) Visitation

It will be your decision as to who visits you and when. We encourage you to have as many visitors as you would like, but keep in mind that you and your baby also need rest and quiet time together. Photographs and video-recording are allowed during your stay on the Mother/Baby unit.

Your baby will remain in your room during your hospital stay. There is a six-bed "storks nest" available, if necessary. The baby also may need to be brought to the nursery for special reasons such as for the hearing screen, circumcision or at the pediatrician's request.

UT Medical Center encourages siblings to spend time with the mother and new baby. Adding a new family member can be a very stressful time for the older brothers and sisters left at home. They may feel forgotten, abandoned and unloved. This visit will help them to feel included and important in the birth event. Attendance at one of our sibling classes is encouraged but not required. Children must be accompanied by an adult who is able to supervise them for the entire visit. The new mother is not able to do this.

^ Top Birth Certificates and Social Security Information

A staff member will come to your room to obtain the necessary information for your baby's birth certificate. Parents will receive a copy of the birth certificate, and we ask that you please keep this copy for your records. If you are discharged before you receive your copy, it will be mailed to your home address. In order to receive a certified copy bearing the state seal, complete and detach the application attached to the parent's copy of the birth certificate, then mail it to the address provided for you. It is best to wait until 30 days after your child's date of birth before mailing this form.

Social Security registration is available on request. Allow six weeks for the social security card to be mailed to your home. For questions about a social security card, call 800.772.1213.

^ Top Baby Photographs and Internet Babies

A "baby photo" representative will deliver a booklet to your room that explains various picture packages available to you and how to purchase pictures of your baby. If you decide to purchase one of the selections of photographs, complete and sign the separate order form before leaving the hospital. The pictures ordered will be mailed to your home in about 14 working days. The hospital does not have information about your order. If you have questions, please refer to your photo booklet for the customer service phone number. Ask your nurse on the Mother/Baby unit about Internet baby pictures (UT Babies).