Your Birth Experience

Those first moments after your new baby is born are special and memorable. At Intermountain, we understand that the best thing for your baby is you, and we provide an environment that allows you to bond with and discover each other. This bond is strengthened through activities such as skin-to-skin contact, rooming in with your baby, and breastfeeding. Our specialized team of physicians and nurses respect your needs and preferences as you determine what works best for you and your new baby. We feel privileged to share these moments with you as your healthcare partner.

After your baby is pink and breathing well, you'll have the opportunity to hold, love and get to know your new baby. We strive to always keep the well baby and mother together during the first hour.

Immediately after delivery, we encourage you to put your baby skin to skin with you. This helps to stabilize the baby’s temperature and blood sugar. It also helps to increase the success of breastfeeding. Skin to skin contact also helps comfort the baby and reduce crying.

At Intermountain we are committed to meeting your individual needs. Take time to consider what will make your birth experience meaningful to you and your family. This plan should be discussed with your physician or certified nurse midwife (CNM) often throughout your pregnancy. Bring a copy of your birthing plan with you to the hospital when labor begins.

• Intermountain Healthcare Birthing Plan

Rooming In

We encourage healthy mothers and babies to enjoy rooming in. You have the choice to room in fully or return the baby to the nursery whenever you want. Rooming in helps you and your baby become better acquainted.

Rooming in is beneficial for breastfeeding mothers as they are able to learn more about their baby’s feeding signals and are able to respond promptly. Breastfeeding takes practice and patience to find a pattern that works for both mother and baby and rooming in helps promote successful breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding

The decision to breastfeed is positive for both you and your baby. By choosing to breastfeed, you are giving your baby the healthiest start possible. Your baby’s first feeding can be within the first 30 minutes to 2 hours after delivery. Think of your first breastfeeding as a special “hello” between you and your new baby. The sooner you get acquainted, the better. Babies are very alert after they are born and are usually hungry, too!

Intermountain hospitals offer lactation classes led by a Lactation Specialist. The class highlights key points of breastfeeding. All nurses are trained to assist breastfeeding during your hospital stay. If you encounter breastfeeding difficulties during your hospital stay, you may request a lactation consult.

• Learn more about breastfeeding