Upon arrival, depending on the status of your labor, you will be asked to go to the Admitting Office where we will recheck your personal information to ensure that our record is complete. The Admitting Office is open between 6:00 AM and midnight. Between midnight and 6:00 AM, please go directly to the admitting clerk in the Emergency Room.

If your labor is too active at the time of admittance, you and the baby's coach will be taken immediately to the labor room where you will stay until your delivery. The father/coach may stay in the labor and delivery room, unless he/she is asked to leave by the doctor or nurse.

Friends and family may wait for the arrival of your baby in the maternity waiting room on the second floor (2-North).

The purpose of our LDR rooms (Labor/Delivery/ Recovery) is to provide our mothers-to-be with family-centered maternity care. Those mothers with an uncomplicated pregnancy will have the opportunity to labor and deliver in a more home-like atmosphere. Beautiful wood-grained furniture and floral patterned curtains decorate each LDR room. The labor beds convert to delivery beds, enabling mothers to stay in the comfortably furnished suites until after delivery. Mother and support person will experience an uninterrupted birth process by remaining in the LDR room for the duration of the mother's labor, delivery, and recovery period. Although not immediately visible, state-of-the-art technology is in place in the event that it is needed. A team of medical professionals can be mobilized in minutes to perform an emergency Cesarean section if necessary.

The father/support person who wishes to stay with you in the labor and delivery room, regardless of childbirth technique, may be permitted to do so.

We encourage participation in the labor and delivery lecture offered as part of Huntington Hospital's prenatal classes.

All rules and regulations concerning the father/support person's stay in the labor and delivery room will be explained upon admission.

If you are planning to use the natural childbirth method, you may select one adult individual of your choice to serve as coach. It is suggested that you and your coach attend a Lamaze or equivalent course approved by your obstetrician, and/or the labor and delivery lecture offered as part of Huntington Hospital's prenatal classes (see "Instructional Classes" section on how to register).

In addition, the natural childbirth coach must agree that he/she will leave the delivery suite if he/she is requested to do so by the obstetrician or charge nurse because of an unusual circumstance.

NOTE: We want you to be aware that a variety of pain management techniques are available for your comfort, including, but not limited to epidurals. Consult with your physician for the option which will best meet your needs.

(Click here to learn about pain management options)

Please do not bring jewelry or valuables with you to the hospital. They can easily become lost during necessary transfers from the labor/delivery room to the room where you will stay after delivery. The hospital cannot assume responsibility for these items.

We will hold your reservation in strict confidence. Your name or the fact that you have made a hospital reservation will not be divulged to any person, photographer, or other outside company.

A majority of the rooms on the postpartum unit are semi-private rooms, accommodating two patients. Private rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis at an additional charge which is not covered by insurance carriers. Your request for one of these rooms CAN ONLY be made at the time of your admission. Your preference will be honored, if possible. However, your care and service will be identical regardless of your room accommodations.

If possible, telephone the Admitting Office at the hospital, (631) 351-2243, as soon as your doctor tells you that the time has come for you to go to the hospital. Your doctor may do this for you, but it will be most helpful if you do it also. We will then be expecting and prepared for your arrival.

You will want the articles on the following list while in the hospital. It would be a great help to us if you do not bring them at the time of admission, but rather have them ready at home in a small suitcase so that they may be brought in when you are assigned to a specific room. Patients are in the recovery room for approximately one hour after delivery.

• Personal hygiene articles. Electric hair dryers, curling appliances, etc., are permissible provided they are in good repair with no damaged wiring.
• Robe and slippers.
• Nightgowns and under garments. The hospital furnishes gowns, but many patients prefer to bring their own.
• Two brassieres. If you plan to nurse your baby, bring nursing bras.
• Clothing for baby to wear when he or she goes home.
• You may, if you wish, keep a bag containing cosmetics, toothbrush, etc., in the labor room. Fathers/coaches who plan to stay may bring a "Lamaze Goody Bag" to the labor room.
• Infant car seat for day of discharge, as required by law.

Due to patient confidentiality, while you are in labor no information pertaining to your condition will be provided by telephone. However, a telephone is available to you or your coach to keep family members apprised of how things are progressing.

Following the birth of your child, please request that your family and friends not telephone during baby's scheduled feeding times. You will be quite busy during these periods, and patients have found that calls during these hours are very inconvenient. If you are bothered by telephone calls, you may advise our switchboard of the problem and request their assistance.

The hospital does not allow diaper service representatives to solicit patients in the hospital. Please make your arrangements before coming to the hospital.