Mother-Baby Unit
Overview
The Mother Baby Unit at Weed Army Community Hospital is part of a 5-bed mixed inpatient unit covering Med-Surg, labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum (LDRP), and a 4-bed Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. An average of 20 deliveries and 100 outpatient/triage visits are performed each month. The unit has open visitation hours and family members are welcome to remain in the birthing suite during the delivery of the infant, as the mother desires. We have a friendly staff of physicians, midwives, and nurses who are committed to bringing you and your family excellent care.
Policies and Procedures
The L&D policies and procedures are in compliance with the following regulatory guidance:
- The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
- Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
About your stay on the Mother-Baby Unit
After 20 weeks gestation, you may report to the birthing unit for evaluation, treatment, or monitoring. Your healthcare provider will discuss and review with you a plan of care at the time of admission so you and your Family understand why you are being admitted.
Your stay will vary in length based on you and your baby’s healthcare needs. On average you and your baby with stay for 1 to 2 days after delivery before being discharged home.
While on the unit, a nurse will be assigned and dedicated to you and your needs throughout your entire delivery. Your nurse will assist with providing your medical care, support you during your labor, delivery, recovery, and during your postpartum period. The team will answer your questions, encourage you and act as your advocate.
We do not have restricted visiting hours; however we want your stay to be a supportive, low stress environment with decreased stimulation to facilitate your birthing process.
We highly encourage you to have supporters with you during your labor and delivery including of course the father of the baby. Children are allowed but it is mandatory that an additional adult be present to care for children present.
Family and friends who are ill should discuss their presence with the nurse to determine if it is safe for them to be present on the unit.
What to Bring
We provide most everything you will need during your stay.
Some suggested comfort items you may want to bring include:
- Cell phone, tablet, laptop (at this time the birthing unit does have Wi-Fi)
- Camera (recording is not allowed)
- Favorite pillow (for both mom and dad)
- Lollipops/hard candy
- Lip balm
- Personal hygiene items and other personal comfort items you desire to bring
- Clothes for you and baby to use at discharge
- Car seat to be checked by staff
Family and friends who will be providing support are encouraged to dress for comfort and to pack a lunch with snacks.
Resources
Off-Post Births
Step 1: Register Your Baby First
On the day of discharge (before you leave the delivery hospital), contact Patient Administration at Weed Army Community Hospital during regular business hours.
Patient Administration will help:
Register your baby in the system
- Start the process for your baby’s DoD ID number and DEERS enrollment
- Create your baby’s MHS GENESIS account so we can see records and schedule care.
Step 2: Schedule Your Baby’s Follow-Up Appointment
After your baby is registered, contact the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) to schedule a newborn visit with Pediatrics.
- Call during business hours to make your baby’s first follow-up appointment
- If you have urgent concerns after hours, call the inpatient unit or the Nurse Advice Line for guidance
Step 3: Schedule Your Postpartum Follow-Up Appointment
Your recovery matters, too. After delivery—whether vaginal or C-section—please schedule your postpartum follow-up with the Women’s Health Clinic.
- Let the team know if you had a C-section, a vaginal delivery, or any complications during or after birth
- Call during business hours to schedule your visit
- For urgent concerns after hours or on holidays, call the inpatient unit or the Nurse Advice Line
Your provider will check your healing, discuss mood and emotional health, review birth control options, and answer questions about feeding and newborn care.
Before You Leave the Delivery Hospital
Before you are discharged, ask for a copy of the discharge summary for both you and your baby.
Bring these documents to your WACH appointments—they help our team understand what happened during your delivery and support a safe, seamless transition of care.
If you have any questions about these steps, please contact the OB/GYN Clinic, Women’s Health Clinic, or Pediatrics Clinic at Weed Army Community Hospital for assistance.