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OB Virtual Tour
Expecting mothers can now tour Pella Regional Health Center's sunlit, elegantly furnished birthing suites online. Take a virtual tour of our obstetrics department. You'll feel good knowing a dedicated team of physicians and nurses with advanced expertise are with you every step of the way, as you labor, deliver, recover, and bond with your baby.
If you prefer a traditional tour, call 641.628.6613.
Packing for the hospital? Don't forget:
- Favorite video tapes
- Lip balm
- Cards, books, and magazines
- Pair of socks
- Focal point
- Toiletries for mom and support person
- Slippers and bathrobe
- Change of clothes for support person
- Going-home clothes for mom and baby - moms may still want maternity or loose fitting clothing
- Reading and writing material
- Change for vending machines
- Nursing Bra (if breastfeeding) and panties
- Car seat
- Phone numbers and e-mail address of family and friends
- Blanket for baby
Pre-registration
We suggest you submit pre-admission forms during your third trimester to make the admission process as effortless as possible. Your doctor's office will give you a PVH pre-admission form. You can also download a pdf of the form or pre-register online. Please complete this online or fax or mail it to the hospital one or two months before your due date.
Please include a copy of your insurance card with the pre-registration form that you return to us.
We would like to remind you to notify your insurance company of your anticipated obstetrical admission. If you have any questions, please let us help you. Feel free to give us a call at 641.628.6600.
Where to enter?
When it is time to deliver, you can take comfort in knowing that your birthing experience will be treated with compassion, expert care and respect. When you arrive at Pella Regional Health Center, check in at Admitting located in the main lobby. An admitting clerk will greet and take you to your private birthing suite. Many expectant families use the hospital's main entrance, which is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The information desk is staffed with an "Ask Me Attendant" volunteer.
When you arrive at the main entrance, take a right after the admitting desk.
If you arrive between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., you will need to use the Emergency entrance and check in at the Emergency desk.
Stay on the main floor. Go past the elevator through the double doors.
If you use the PRHC main entrance, you will see the gift shop and PRHC snack bar on your right, across the hall from the elevators! Keep going straight down the hall.
When you arrive at the OB department, a nurse will check you in and escort you to your labor room.
Getting Ready for Birth
After you feel "settled" in your room, your nurse will place a fetal monitor on your abdomen to monitor your baby's heart rate and frequency. It can be done either externally (with elastic belts around your abdomen) or internally (with an electrode inserted through your cervical opening and attached to your baby). This procedure also measures the intensity of your uterine contractions. The monitor registers your baby's heart rate and any uterine activity that you might be experiencing, and records it on a strip of paper. Use of the fetal monitor is dependent on your physician's orders. Frequently, monitoring may be intermittent during early labor.
We haven't overlooked the atmosphere either.
We know that you want to have your baby in a soothing, comfortable place that feels like home. That's why we put so much effort into an extensive renovation of our birthing facilities, with personalized touches, like individualized lighting for mom, baby and guests, a CD player, a VCR and a dataport for a computer. (Take the virtual tour!) Beyond "how" you want your childbirth to happen, we know that "who" you want to share it with is just as important. We have thought of your families, friends, and support people, too, with accommodations to make them comfortable so they can be there for you. When your child arrives, you may choose to keep your baby in the room with you or let us watch over your baby in the nursery.
Technical Support for a Safe Birth
Each private birthing suite is equipped for any birthing method you choose. In a homelike labor/delivery/recovery room, you'll have all the technical support needed for a safe birth - and the pleasant and soothing surroundings for the most comfortable delivery. This is the room that you will labor, give birth and recover in. This is a good time to discuss any specific labor requests or comfort measures with your nurse. For your support person, there are also special accommodations so he/she can stay with you the entire time. Each suite also has an infant area where the baby receives care and treatment following the delivery. Each suite has the necessary equipment for labor and vaginal birth, including an external fetal monitor, oxygen, infant warmer and other infant care items.
With You Every Step of the Way
If you choose a natural approach to child birth - our experienced nursing staff will be happy to support you and your needs. Whether it is relaxation, breathing or positioning, our nurses have the expertise to assist you. Your nurse will provide support for you (and your coach) during labor and the birth of your baby. We encourage you to ask us any questions about you and your baby's care!
Surgical Suites
Should a Cesarean delivery be necessary, our surgical suites are nearby. Moments after your baby is born, your labor partner will have the opportunity to cut the umbilical cord. If your newborn is stable, he/she will be wrapped in a blanket and laid on your chest. After bonding, the nurse will take your baby to OB where yoru baby will be weighed and the nurse will get their footprints for the birth certificate and baby book. After approximately two hours of recovery, you and your baby, as well as your birthing partner, will be together again in the OB department for post partum care.
Visiting Hours
In general, your spouse, support person, or children may visit at any time. We ask that other family and friends visit from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you wish to limit visitors, let you nurse know. We ask that anyone with symptoms of an illness not visit the hospital. All of your visitors should wash their hands before holding or touching your baby to prevent your baby from getting any unwanted germs.
Children less than 12 years old and not a sibling of the baby are not allowed into the OB deparment, but are invited to view the baby through the nursery viewing window.
Infant Security
We have a number of systems in place to protect you and your baby; the OB department is always locked. We also have security cameras place. The OB department uses the Wanderguard system as well. Each baby wears a sensor that would alarm if they were brought too close to the exit doors.
Hard Work Isn't without Rewards
To celebrate the birth of your child, PRHC offers you and your guest a complimentary gourmet meal. Options for the Stork Club Dinner includes Prime Rib with Bistro Sauce, Chicken Cordon Bleu, or Jumbo Breaded Shrimp; tossed salad; vegetables; and accompaniments (baked potato, French fries, & garlic toast); and Cheesecake or Carrot Cake for dessert.
Your Stay
The normal length of stay for a normal vaginal birth is 48 hours and for a cesarean birth is 72 hours. Your stay might be lengthened if complications should arise. The OB nurses will work in conjunction with your physician and insurance company to determine your length of stay.
Thank you for taking the Pella Regional Health Center Virtual Tour. We have more than 50 years of experience caring for newborns and their mothers, and we'll do everything we can to make your stay as pleasant as possible. In addition, we have the programs and services to help you learn everything you can about childbirth, newborn care and maternal health.
We hope to see you soon!
