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Preparing for Your Hospital Stay
We are proud to be your partner in this exciting moment in your family's life. Our goal is to offer the highest-quality care in the safest and most supportive environment possible. We hope the following tips will help you prepare for your big day.
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What to do When Labor Starts
While every woman's experience of labor is unique, expectant mothers undergo the following changes before giving birth: they have uterine contractions, the baby moves down into the birth canal, and the cervix starts to open. You may have some painful contractions for days or even weeks before giving birth, but labor doesn't begin until the contractions become regular and strong enough to stretch open the cervix. If you can stay calm during the process, your contractions will be easier to endure. It's a good idea to have someone with you during labor to provide comfort and company. Although it may not be easy to relax, there are some things you can do to help keep yourself calm:
- If your water bag hasn't broken, take a warm bath or shower.
- Try lying on your side with pillows for support while listening to music.
- Meditate. Think about the way you are breathing and let your head, neck, shoulders, arms and legs feel heavy and loose. When a contraction begins, take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Continueto breathe slowly until the contraction passes.
- Take a walk. Standing and walking helps thebaby's head move lower into the pelvis, which can shorten labor.
As your due date approaches, the three most important things you need to know are WHEN to go to the hospital, WHO to call and WHERE to go when you arrive.
When to go to the Hospital
Your Contractions are Stronger and Closer Together
If this is your first baby, you should go to the hospital when your contractions last 45 to 60 seconds each and have been coming every three to four minutes for at least two hours. If you've had a baby before, go to the hospital when your contractions have been coming every five to seven minutes for at least one hour.
Your Water Breaks
You do not need to wait for your water bag to break before you go to the hospital. However, if you feel water leaking or gushing from the vagina, you should go immediately to the hospital as the breaking of the water bag can be one of the last things that happens before your baby is born.
You are Bleeding Heavily
It is normal to have a small amount of blood and mucus discharge known as "bloody show" when the cervix starts to open. You do not need to go to the hospital for bloody show. Wait until your contractions are stronger and closer together.
Bright red bleeding that looks like a menstrual period is not common and may be a sign of hemorrhage, which needs immediate medical care. If you are bleeding heavily, do not stand up or walk. Lie down and stay on your side on your way to the hospital.
Who to Call
Please notify your obstetrician and your pediatrician when you are going to the hospital. If you are not sure whether it is time, please call your obstetrician or ask one of our Labor and Delivery nurses for advice. You may be able to avoid arriving too early or too late. The following phone number is available 24 hours a day.
UCLA Labor and Delivery: (310) 267-7560
If you think it is too late to get to the hospital, call 911. Paramedics will come and assist you if your baby is about to be born. They may also arrange for an ambulance to take you to the hospital. If paramedics decide there is no urgency, they may instruct you to go to the hospital in your own car.
What to Discuss With Your Physician
- Type of delivery
- Anesthesia and episiotomy use
- Fetal monitoring
- Delivery participants
- Medication options
- Labor induction
- Delivery positions
- Circumcision
What to Discuss With Your Pediatrician
- Breastfeeding or bottle feeding
- Newborn screenings and hearing tests
- Examinations
- Vaccinations
Our Facilities
Our facilities feature elegant birthing rooms that are designed for you to labor, deliver and recover in one comfortable place. Two operating rooms also are available for scheduled and emergency C-sections.
After your delivery and recovery, you will be moved to our Maternity Unit, where all rooms are private and have their own shower.
The Well-Baby Nursery is located in our Maternity Unit. A Neonatal Intensive-Care Unit is located adjacent to Labor and Delivery for premature infants and other newborns that need additional care and monitoring.
What to Bring
It is a good idea to have a suitcase packed and ready by the beginning of your ninth month. Items to pack for your stay should include:
For You
- Nightgown
- Nursing bras
- Robe and slippers
- Toiletries and cosmetics
- Change of clothes to wear home
(5-month pregnancy size)
For Dad (if staying overnight)
- Pajamas or robe
- Change of clothes
- Toiletries
- Comfortable clothes
For Baby
- Large blanket or shawl (depending on weather)
- Receiving blanket
- Nightgown, shirt, sweater
- Cloth diapers and rubber or velcro pants, if desired
- Cap or hat, socks or booties
Infant car seat (installed in your car's back seat facing backward). If you need help, please call your local California Highway Patrol.
Hospital linens, such as blankets and T-shirts, cannot be taken home at discharge.
Optional Items
- Battery-operated cassette or disc player
- Battery-operated camera or camcorder
- Extra pillows
- Other comfort items
Birth Certificates
During your postpartum stay, our Birth Certificates Coordinator will provide a worksheet to be completed for the Los Angeles County Registrar/Recorder. This document must be signed and submitted within 10 days to obtain your child's legal birth certificate.
Paternity Declaration: California law requires that unmarried fathers sign a Declaration of Paternity if they wish their name to appear on the birth certificate. Our Birth Certificate Coordinator will provide the declaration form as well as information material. The declaration should be signed while your baby is in the hospital and submitted with the birth certificate worksheet.
Food Services
The Food Services Department provides menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner and strives to accommodate special dietary requests (e.g. kosher, vegetarian). You may order meals to be delivered to your room anytime between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Please allow 45 minutes for room service. Registered dietitians also are available for nutritional consultation and questions.
Spiritual Care Services
Our Spiritual Care Department is committed to caring for the spiritual needs of patients and their families. Patients of all faith traditions may request a chaplain visit. Services offered include pastoral visits, emotional and spiritual support, rituals and sacraments.
Financial Information
Speak with your insurance provider about coverage prior to your delivery. For further information and details about charges, required deposits and accepted insurance plans, contact a UCLA Health System financial counselor at (310) 267-8000.
Visiting Hours
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center features a family centered environment so that your family may share in the joy of this special occasion.
- Visiting hours for the Maternity Unit are 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Siblings must be accompanied by an adult.
- To ensure the health of our new mothers and infants, nurses will screen visitors for acute infection before they are allowed to enter the unit. Those with evidence of illness will not be permitted to visit.
- All visitors who will hold the baby must first use proper hand-washing techniques, as demonstrated by our nurses.
- Only parents or an approved adult with proper identification are permitted to visit infants in the Well-Baby Nursery and/or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
- Visitors must be considerate of other patients and our staff.
