BIDMC FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding BIDMC Hospital Policy These questions and answers are provided by the Nurse Managers of Labor and Delivery and Postpartum units at the BIDMC

How can BIDMC patients sign up for a hospital tour? Sign up easily on the Isis Maternity website (BIDMC Tours) or call Isis Maternity at 781-429-1500. Prepared Childbirth classes at the BI include a tour. The BI encourages all first time patients to attend a tour.

What is the Admission Procedure? Patients may start in triage for assessment. There are three beds surrounded by curtains so if a patient wants to discuss confidential information she needs to ask for a more private space. Overflow rooms are available as necessary for the initial assessment. If a patient is in obvious labor or if her membranes are ruptured she will go straight to the Labor and Delivery unit. Moms are given an ID band which must be checked prior to any test or lab work. If a patient is hoping for a Natural or HypnoBirthing birth she may ask for a nurse who has some experience with natural labor support.

How many birth balls and squatting bars do you have available? We have 12 labor rooms and enough squatting bars for each bed. We have 3 balls, 3 different sizes

Does each room have a shower? There are 2 showers on the labor unit but none in patient rooms. Patients may request a room close to the showers. Most postpartum rooms have a shower, TV/VCR, fridge, a sleep chair for support person and safes for locking belongings. Clients are responsible for all belongings so they should lock all valuables. The safe is small so patients should limit what they bring. Also, please be aware that there are small postpartum overflow rooms that are used only when the regular rooms are full. The five overflow rooms are small and share one shower. As soon as a regular room is available, patients are moved out of the overflow rooms.

Are there any tubs available for labor? No.

Are patients allowed to use a heated rice sock if they do not have an epidural? These are not allowed, because of the risk of burns due to lack of control of the temperature.

After the birth, how long does client stay in L & D room before transfer? For a vaginal delivery it is about 2 hours if uncomplicated. C/S usually 3 depending on how long it takes for the spinal/epidural to wear off.

Can the baby room-in with the family the whole time or is there a mandatory visit to the nursery? There is a short mandatory visit to the nursery by two hours postpartum so the baby can get assessed, and get Vitamin K and eye drops. Parents can watch the exam through the window but no pictures or video can be taken through the window. Baby can room in parent room entire stay.

Can a parent accompany the baby to the nursery? Parents can accompany newborn to nursery but if there is a meeting in the nursery, parents will be asked to leave due to confidentiality.

Where are routine newborn procedures done? The initial weight check is done in L & D. Other routine procedures are done in the nursery such as newborn exam, minor blood work, repeat weight checks, circumcision, administration of antibiotics, etc. Baths and vital signs can be done out in the mom’s room

What identification procedures are followed to protect the baby? All babies receive up to two bands (one for mom and one for support person). Mom and support person each have a matching band. These bands must be worn for the entire postpartum stay as they must be checked before baby can be handled in any way.

What is your policy regarding IVs, heplocks? Heplocks are not routine. Patients requesting an epidural will have the option of having a heplock placed when their admission labs are drawn so that they are stuck just once. Or they can choose to wait and have the IV placed at time of the epidural placement. Heplocks are required for all TOL’s, twin gestations in labor, hx of postpartum hemorrhage and other high-risk situations.

Do you use PCAs? PCA’s are used for some post-op patients and occasionally for a patient requesting medication when an epidural is contraindicated.

What is the nurse/patient ratio by stage of labor? 1st stage of labor is 1 – 2, until active labor then 1 – 1 continued through 2nd stage and about an hour post partum. Then it may become 1 – 2 again if necessary.

Do you offer Combined Spinal Epidurals? Yes, about 30% of our patients get CSE’s; however, most patients get light epidurals and, in a few cases, may be allowed to ambulate to the bathroom with a nurse.

Do you have patient controlled epidurals? Yes.

Where can patients obtain more information about anesthesia options? BIDMC offers a free question and answer session called “Meet The Anesthesiologist” which is offered one Thursday per quarter. Call 617-667-3353 for more information.

Is eating allowed during labor? In early labor, light snacking of non-fat food is allowed. For active labor or epidural patients, only clear liquids are allowed. If a client is high-risk no eating is allowed.

What is the average waiting period between asking for the epidural and receiving one? Usually less than 10 minutes.

How many support people are allowed in the labor room? Two (2) people and they must be the same 2 people throughout labor and delivery.

How many are allowed during epidural placement? It is up to the individual anesthesiologist, but our policy is usually to have the support person(s) step out of the room for the actual placement and return as soon as the sterile procedure is complete.

How many are allowed in the OR during a c/section in which regional anesthesia is being used? One (1)

How many visitors are allowed postpartum? Patients may have multiple visitors up until 8 pm. For their own sake, patients are also advised to limit visits when they are learning about baby care, learning breastfeeding or trying to get rest during postpartum recovery. Visitors must stop at the main nurse’s desk and pick up a visitor tag each day that they visit. Only one support person may sleep over in the postpartum rooms. Additional family members (e.g. grandparents, other children) are not allowed to stay overnight.

What other amenities are available on the postpartum units? There is a large solarium for families to gather, for baby care classes (baby bath, lactation) and for use of the photo kiosk available to all patients. There is also a small kitchen area for light snacks, drinks and access to an ice machine.

Are lactation consultants available and, if so, how often? Lactation consultants are available 7 days a week for about 8 hours a day. There are 2 consultants on Monday-Friday and 1 on the weekend. They do not routinely see all patients but will see those referred by staff or if patient specifically requests consult. Postpartum staff is well trained and will refer if necessary so patients should not be encouraged to just ask immediately for a lactation consult.

Is videotaping allowed? Yes, but at the discretion of the individual OB provider.

Are telemetry devices available so that patients may ambulate while the baby’s heart rate is monitored? Yes, however they do not always work well in certain areas of L & D so intermittent monitoring is recommended instead. Intermittent monitoring every 15 minutes (every 5 minutes with pushing) is also allowed for low risk patients who have an epidural or are receiving pitocin.

Does the BI validate parking? Yes