Birth Center

Childbirth at Valley General Hospital

Valley General Hospital’s Birth Center offers five birthing suites designed to accommodate the special needs of expectant families within a relaxed, home-like atmosphere. In addition, each suite has a private, fenced garden patio where family members may relax.

Our experienced labor and delivery team include obstetricians and family practice physicians, as well as specially trained nurses who offer one on one care through birth and postpartum stay.

Valley General has an approved level one nursery unit, which means in the unusual event that a newborn requires intensive care, the baby is stabilized and transported to an appropriate healthcare facility via the infant transport system.

Maintaining a healthy pregnancy

What does it mean to maintain a healthy pregnancy?
To maintain a healthy pregnancy is to make a maternal commitment to do “all you can to be healthy.” It is being honest with your care provider about your health history and lifestyle, so they will have all the information to give you the best advice and treatment. It is also about being informed, learning all you can to help you make the decisions you need to.

Why is it important to have a healthy pregnancy?
Making healthy choices can help minimize or avoid complications that can occur in pregnancy.

What are some important things a mother must do to ensure that she and her baby are healthy?

• Attending all your prenatal visits with your health care provider
• If you have a chronic health issue, i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, or anemia, make sure you work with your provider to minimize any complications that could arise
• Eat healthy
• Regular exercise (appropriate for pregnancy)
• Stop drinking alcohol, smoking and using recreational drugs
• Get adequate sleep
• Reduce stress

Find a delivering physician

• Find a doctor for your baby - English
• Find a doctor for your baby - Espanol

Birthing Classes and Resources

Valley General Hospital offers a six week child birth course that is taught by a certified educational instructor. You may register for a series on-line or call the Community Development department at 360-794-1411. Class schedule and prices may vary.

Your first resource will be your health care provider. They will know your health history and will be able to give you the best advice. Second, there is a multitude of books that you can learn from and be informed about what to expect during pregnancy through all the stages of development of the baby. A couple of our favorites are:

• What to Expect When You are Expecting by Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E. Murkoff and Sandee E Hathaway, BSN
• Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: A Complete Guide by Penney Simkin, PT, Janet Whalley, RN, BSN and Ann Keppler, RN, MN

You may also want to view the following internet sites for additional information about permanency and child birth:

• American Pregnancy Association – www.americanpregnancy.org
• Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies: Coalition of Washington State – www.hmhbwa.org

Lactation Services

Valley General Hospital provides its patients with a lactation nurse consultant to answer questions that will assist new mothers with breastfeeding. Our lactation nurse provides our patients with a 24-hour Mother and Baby Telephone Line, where a lactation consultant can be reached all hours of the day or night.

Preparing to go home

Valley General Hospital provides each new mother with a packet upon discharge. The packet includes various information for preparing to go home, including information on the mother/baby tenth month.

Other information items included are: breastfeeding and breast health, obtaining an official birth certificate, postpartum, newborn screenings and tests for newborn to toddler development.