After the Birth
After recovery, mother and baby will stay in one of the center's 12 private rooms. Your baby can stay in your room with you 24-hours a day and both you and baby will receive care right in your room. The baby's father and your children are welcome to visit anytime. Baby's father is encouraged to stay overnight. After recovery, family and friends can visit from noon - 8 p.m. There is a family waiting room in the birth center for large groups of visitors.

To ensure the safety of your new arrival, you, baby, and baby's father will all receive matching ID bracelets to wear while in the birth center. These help the staff to identify you and your family. Additionally, the birth center is privately located to allow for close monitoring of visitors. Using the latest technology, special security doors lock automatically when a baby nears the exit.

Going Home
If you have a vaginal delivery, you will probably go home in 2 days, depending on your insurance. If you have a C-section, you will probably go home in 3-4 days, depending on your insurance. The day you leave, the baby's doctor will do a complete physical. Baby will also receive a hearing screening test and with your consent, a PKU blood test. If your baby is a boy and he is going to be circumcised, it is usually also done at this time.

You will receive a Parenting newsletter to take home with you. This will answer some of your questions on what to expect those first few weeks. You will receive a new issue in the mail monthly during your baby's first year courtesy of the CMH Woman's Wellness and the University of Maryland Extension Service.