Maternal/Child Health at St. Joseph

You open your arms, your heart and home to a new spirit — a new life. At St. Joseph Medical Center, we know that having a baby is one of the most magical events in a family’s life. Our team of physicians, midwives, nurses and health care professionals works together to give top quality care to expecting moms and their families. From preconception to birth and beyond, St. Joseph Medical Center cares for mother, baby and family.

If this is your first baby, we know you’ll have a lot of questions. The Mother/Baby team at St. Joseph has been answering the questions of anxious new moms and dads for generations. At St. Joseph Medical Center, we combine our legacy of experience with a commitment to embracing new technology. Childbirth education classes and support groups give you access to physicians, midwives, nurses, specialists, and other parents who share your experiences.

Preconception Services
Did you know that many potential problems in pregnancy can be addressed prior to conception?  At St. Joseph Medical Center, our high-risk obstetricians offer counseling for women with chronic medical conditions and histories of previous loss or preterm labor or delivery. 

The Perinatal Center
The Perinatal Center manages, with the patient’s midwife or obstetrician, a variety of conditions including premature labor, multiple births, pregnancies complicated by advanced maternal age, genetic disorders and chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. This gives patients access to a wide range of services at one convenient location.

St. Joseph Medical Center’s team of expert, board-certified perinatologists works with registered sonographers, genetic counselors and nursing support staff to manage complicated pregnancies.  Our physicians use the latest ultrasound technology, and offer chorionic villus sampling (CVS), amniocentesis and genetic counseling. learn more + 

Certified Nurse-Midwives
More and more, women are choosing to have certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) as partners in their childbirth experience. CNMs take a holistic approach, addressing a woman’s emotional and  spiritual needs, as well as her physical needs. At St. Joseph Medical Center, our CNMs provide moms-to-be with warmth and reassurance through every stage of their pregnancy. learn more + 

Baby Beepers
Moms-to-be can request a free St. Joseph baby beeper to give to their partners up to six weeks prior to their baby’s due date. Knowing that you have easy access to your loved one when it’s time to go to the hospital gives you a little extra peace of mind. A fully refundable security deposit is required to sign out the baby beeper.

Labor, Delivery and Recovery
Upon arriving at St. Joseph Medical Center, you will be directed to the Labor & Delivery (L&D) Unit. To make your delivery as pleasant and safe as possible, St. Joseph Medical Center has combined the comforts of home with modern technology. With just one patient per room, our Labor, Delivery and Recovery (LDR) rooms provide the privacy needed during this milestone in your life.

Our operating rooms in the birthing unit are used for Cesarean births. Experienced physicians, nurse-midwives and nurses provide high-quality care and central fetal monitoring assures that your baby’s heart rate is observed at all times. In fact, our nurses are trained in current Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) monitoring techniques and will be there to assure that you and your baby are safe and as comfortable as possible.

After delivery, a specialized newborn assessment and admission nurse (NAAN) will focus exclusively on your baby to ensure a smooth transition to his or her new surroundings. Meanwhile, the labor nurse will continue to care for you during your recovery stay in Labor & Delivery.

At St. Joseph, onsite 24-hour staffing by a board-certified obstetrician ensures continuous access to emergency care. You will also have 24-hour access to board-certified anesthesiologists and pain management services.

The Mother/Baby Unit
After your recovery in Labor & Delivery, you and your baby will be transferred to the Mother/Baby Unit. The nursing staff will welcome you to your large private room, equipped with a daybed for your partner. Emergency equipment is located in each room for the safety of mom and newborn. You will be made comfortable, oriented to the room and routine and safety precautions will be reviewed.

Your baby will go to the nursery for a brief period for a bath and observation. After observation, your baby will be brought back to you, and you will be cared for as a couplet. During your stay, you will receive instructions on how to care for yourself and your baby. You will also receive detailed instructions from our nursery nurse as to how to care for your baby when you go home.

While you recover, tune to St. Joseph’s 24-hour TV channel about newborns, which has helpful information about caring for your baby. Our on-site photography service will provide you with a digital photo of your new baby.

Your Nurses
The Mother/Baby nurses at St. Joseph Medical Center realize that having a baby is exciting and overwhelming. That’s why these nurses are here to teach new moms everything they need to know to take care of their precious infants, including bathing, feeding and changing diapers — all with a personal touch. Our nurses also care for moms, monitoring their physical and mental health. Their goal is to alleviate discomfort and to help parents transition into their new role.

Security
A security system is one of the many measures we’ve taken to help keep baby safe. Also for your child’s safety, all Mother/Baby areas are badge-access only.

The Mrs. Alonzo G. Decker Jr.Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
St. Joseph Medical Center has been awarded a Level IIIB designation by the state of Maryland, allowing us to treat high-risk obstetric patients and newborns.

The Mrs. Alonzo G. Decker Jr. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides treatment for infants needing specialized care. In the NICU, infants are closely cared for by a skilled team of board-certified neonatologists, neonatal nurses and nurse practitioners. Equipped with the latest technology, the NICU treats infants with a range of conditions including respiratory distress, infections and complications stemming from prematurity or multiple births.

Childbirth Education Classes
You may have heard it said that “babies don't come with instruction manuals.”  Maybe not, but parents who come to St. Joseph get the next best thing. Our childbirth education classes provide parents with critical information for every phase of pregnancy, from preconception through newborn care. Classes are offered individually or in special, cost-saving packages. These classes include:

• Early pregnancy
• Pregnancy yoga
• Prepared childbirth series
• Baby care
• Breastfeeding
• Grandparenting
• Kangaroo Kapers (for children ages 3-6 expecting a sibling)

We also offer a free support group to new mothers and parents. Registration is required for all classes. To register, call Family Education at 410-337-1880.

The WarmLine
St. Joseph offers lactation consultant services to support new moms who want to breastfeed. Our lactation consultants are registered nurses with specialized training and certification in counseling, education and support for breastfeeding mothers. The WarmLine, 410-337-3994, is a direct phone line to a St. Joseph lactation consultant. For your convenience, breast pump sales and rental are also available for new moms. 

Pediatrics After Hours
Parents hoping to avoid an emergency room wait for minor medical ailments can benefit from St. Joseph’s Pediatrics After Hours. For your family’s convenience, our pediatric staff treats pediatric patients from noon to midnight, seven days a week. Call 410-427-2066 for more information. learn more + 

Baby Name Blessing
The Spiritual Care Department of St. Joseph Medical Center offers a service to bless a new family and name the baby. It is offered to all families upon request and is a spiritual way to welcome a new life into the family.