FAQs

I´m pregnant…now what?

Congratulations! We know that the months leading up to the birth of a child can be emotional, stressful, exhilarating, and even a little confusing. You might start by talking with our Personal Birth Consultant. She can help you sort out many of the decisions you will make in the coming months. (908) 788-MOMS (6667).

Choosing a Doctor

Hunterdon Medical Center's free Physician Referral Service can provide you with extensive information on our pediatricians, family practice physicians and specialists. Call toll free 1-800-511-4HMC (4462).

What should I bring to the hospital?

  • Your car seat 
  • Labor bag (items for your comfort during labor
    • Labor review sheets, watch with a second hand
    • Focal point
    • For back pain relief: two tennis balls in a sock, a rolling pin, a can of soda, a rice sock
    • Socks, slippers, bathrobe if desired
    • Chapstick, mouthwash, toothbrush and toothpaste
    • Lollipops, popsicles
    • Hairbrush, barrette, rubber bands for long hair
    • Music, CD or cassette player; aromatherapy (potpourri or essential oils)
    • Hand fan
    • Small paper bag
    • Phone numbers of family and friends
    • Your baby book for newborn footprints, if desired
    • Camera, film
    • Powder or cornstarch for massage
  • For Mom, after baby is born
    • Robe, 3-4 nightgowns (if you plan to nurse, front opening or nursing gowns are helpful. You can also bring sweats or similiar loose fitting clothing if desired.
    • 2 or more bras (no elastic straps or underwires if nursing)
    • 5-6 pairs of panties
    • Personal care items
    • Clothes to go home in
    • Phone Card (local calls are free, any long distance calls must be collect calls or made with a prepaid phone card)
  • For Baby (you may bring clothing for the baby to wear while here; otherwise, your baby will be dressed in a diaper and long sleeved undershirt and wrapped securely in a receiving blanket)
    • Car seat!
    • Undershirt or onsie
    • Sweater and hat, if weather is cool
    • Receiving blanket
    • Light fleece or polartec snowsuit (no thick snowsuits should be placed under car seat straps!) and heavy blanket (if it's cold outside)

What´s Pre-Admission?

If you haven't already, please contact Admitting at (908) 788-6167 to complete your preadmission forms and provide your insurance information.

Our unit consists of 20 private LDRP (labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum) rooms. In addition, we have a nursery, special care nursery, operating rooms, and triage rooms. While you are in labor, you might want to take advantage of our whirlpool, birthing balls, and massage (massage can be arranged by calling the Wellness Center at (908) 534-7600; and is an additional out of pocket expense). Once your baby arrives, we encourage you to "room in", that is, keep your baby with you as much as you like.

What do I do when it´s time to go to the hospital?

Call your doctor or midwife, who will contact the maternity Unit. If it's during the daytime, please enter through the main entrance of the hospital. At night 8 P.M. to 8 A.M.), enter through the Emergency Department. When you arrive, you might initially be admitted to the assessment area before moving into one of the LDRP rooms. Your nurse will begin an assessment that includes taking your vital signs and assessing your baby with an electronic fetal monitor, or handheld doppler. This is a good time to ask any questions and discuss your plans for labor and birth. Your labor nurse will then be able to better meet your needs.

Will I be able to have visitors?

Our visiting policy is designed to allow you the most time to get to know and care for your baby. Please make sure to discuss any special needs ahead of time.

  • Your support person... usually, but not always, the father of the baby, may visit anytime. There is a pull-out couch in each room for his/her sleeping convenience.
  • When you're in labor... visitors during your labor may distract from the work you need to do! While we understand that you may have special needs at this time, the doctors and midwives have requested that you have only your labor partner and possibly one other support person with you. These support people should remain in your room. Doulas are welcome. During your labor, we kindly request that all other visitors wait off the Unit. They may wait on the first floor lobby, or on the fourth floor, by the elevators. Meals/snacks should be taken in the cafeteria or in the Bagel Club.
  • Once your baby is born... our visiting hours are 1-8 P.M. Grandparents and brothers and sisters of the new baby may visit during that time. Since you need your rest and time to get to know your baby, we ask that you try to stay within this time frame. If these times do not meet your needs, please let your nurse know. We do, however, realize that every birth experience is individual. We are willing to make exceptions to our visiting policy at your request. If you would like to have other visitors during your stay, speak to your nurse. Together you can discuss the timing and length of the visit so that you and your baby's care are not interrupted.
  • Some guidelines for everyone... all visitors need to follow these rules:
    • Once your baby is born, please ask any visitors to wait a few hours, until you and your baby have had a chance to recover.
    • Visitors should not visit if they are sick, even with the common cold.
    • Visitors should always wash their hands before touching the baby
    • We respect patient privacy. Patients are often walking while in labor, and do not want visitors watching. Therefore, we ask that visitors stay in your room at all times.
    • Other people's children may not visit, due to the chance that they may be carrying germs that may make your baby sick.

Can my family call me?

Because of patient confidentiality, we will not discuss details about your admission with anyone. You will have a phone available in your room. Local calls can be placed directly, and other calls may be made with a phone card or by calling collect. Cell phones may not be used on the unit, but can be used outside the unit.

Will we be able to take pictures?

We want to protect the privacy and confidentiality of all our patients. Still photographs may be taken any time during your stay. If a cesarean is required, your camera can still be brought in to the operating room. If you take pictures of staff members, please ask their permission first. Please do not bring a tripod, as space in the rooms is limited.

What about videos?

Video taping is permitted briefly only during the following times:

  • admission of the mother to the maternity unit;
  • once the baby is born, and mom and baby are settled;
  • discharge from the Medical Center.

I want to be sure I´m using my car seat properly. Can you help?

Our certified technicians can help you install your car seat free of charge. We will also check the seat for recalls, and check your other child/ren's seats as well. This is best done prenatally, so call (908) 788-MOMS (6667) for an appointment. Once your baby arrives, we will fit the baby into the seat.

Due to technician availability, this service is only offered on weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., by appointment. Because of this limited timeframe, please bring your car seat in to your room as soon as possible after your baby is born. During our daily postpartum class you will be asked to bring your seat to class where it can be checked, and your baby can be fitted. At that time we will also make arrangements to install the base or seat into your car, if it has not already been done.

Please call (908) 788-MOMS (6667) if you have any questions about any of this information.

What else do I need to know?

During pregnancy, some women may need referral to other resources. Hunterdon Medical Center has a network of comprehensive programs and services to help women deal with specific issues that may occur. After proper diagnosis and referral from her physician, the Personal Birth Consultant can help a woman access the services she may need. Call (908) 788-MOMS (6667).

Your baby will be an ongoing learning experience. If you need more help along the way, here is a list of helpful resources.

Diabetes Education

Our comprehensive Diabetes Management Program includes individualized outpatient services for pregnant women who already have diabetes or who develop diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes).

Nutrition Education

Nutrition counseling services are available to women who have specific weight-related concerns during pregnancy.

Stress Management

One-on-one or group classes are available to help you cope with stress. The techniques are effective, easy to learn and can be used in a normal living or working environment.

Counseling Services

Individual, relationship and family counseling is available through Hunterdon Behavioral Health.

Home Care Services

For women with specific complications during pregnancy, care is provided in the home through Hunterdon Medical Center's Home Health Services.

Prenatal Exercise Programs

Individualized exercise programs are available at the Hunterdon Health & Wellness Center in Whitehouse Station.

Prenatal Testing

During your pregnancy, your doctor will prescribe routine prenatal tests. Your docor may also determine you need additional prenatal tests, which may include blood work, ultra sound, or amniocentesis. Your Personal Birth Consultant can help you to understand these tests.

What tests does my baby require?

Hunterdon Medical Center provides many routine screening tests for newborns. New Jersey leads the nation in requiring many of these tests to guard the future health of your baby.

What if my baby is born too early?

If you deliver prematurely at Hunterdon Medical Center, your physician will consult with Hunterdon Medical Center´s neonatologist. Together you will decide how to best care for your premature baby.

What if my baby needs more help?

As your baby grows, you and your pediatrician or physician will observe many "routine" changes. If your physician feels that these changes are not "on track" for baby´s age, she may suggest further evaluation.

Child Evaluation and Treatment Center

Children and adolescents who have problems in learning, development, growth or any physical challenges are provided with skilled and comprehensive diagnostic testing, as well as treatment programs designed to meet individual needs. For more information on the programs listed below call (908) 788-6396.

Early Intervention Program

An interdisciplinary program for developmentally delayed children from birth to age 3. Includes:

  • Developmental evaluation
  • Group and/or individual developmental sessions
  • Parent support

Special Child Health Services

A resource and referral service for infants, children and adolescents with special multiple health needs or physical challenges.

Pediatric Rehabilitation

Includes speech-language, occupational and physical therapy for children and adolescents, as well as academic tutoring.

See ´n´ Say Speech-Language Development Program

A group language program for preschool age children who have speech and/or language delays.

Pediatric Hearing Services

A full range of hearing testing services for children and adolescents is available.

Neurodevelopmental Services

Diagnostic services and treatment recommendations provided by a developmental pediatrician.

Is infant massage important for my baby?

Infant massage is a parenting tradition in many ancient cultures that has been re–discovered and adapted by the western world. Clinical evidence shows that a caregiver´s nurturing touch can have a positive impact on the subsequent development of an infant. call (908) 788-MOMS (6667).

Should I learn CPR?

Many new parents feel more confident knowing they have taken a basic course. Call (908) 788-6614.

When can I get back to exercising?

Talk to your physician and listen to your body!

There´s so much to remember! What do I do when I take my baby home?

Yes! Bringing home a new baby is a major adjustment for every member of your family. Fortunately for our new families, there are many classes, support groups and programs available to help you grow into a happy family. Here are just a few.

Bright Beginnings

A program that offers home care for you and your newborn baby. Call (908) 788-6138.

Request a brochure about Bright Beginnings

Infant Massage

Call (908) 788-MOMS (6667)

For babies birth through one year. Infant massage nurtures the loving, touching contact between caregiver and infant and has a positive effect upon subsequent development. Call (908) 788-6667.

Parenting Classes

Baby Steps I - For parents and infants birth through 6 months, meets weekly on Thursday.

Baby Steps II - For parents and infants 6 - 12 months, meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.

Toddler Steps - For parents and toddlers, ages 12 months - 3 years, meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.

Brown Bag Breastfeeding Support Group - meets monthly.

Pediatric Basic Life Support

Covers one-rescuer CPR and freeing obstructed airways on infants and children. Includes a safety lecture. This class can also be taken before your baby is born. Call (908) 788-6614.

Shapedown Weight Management Program

Weight management program for children and teens ages 6 - 18. Call (908) 788-6130.

Postnatal Exercise Programs

Hunterdon Health & Wellness Center offers fitness programs for postpartum mothers. Call (908) 534-7600.

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