Where to Park

Labor and Delivery is inside The Family Birthplace, located in the main hospital building on the third floor. Moms arriving for labor during daytime hours should park near the front entrance to the hospital. When arriving at night, moms should enter the hospital through the Emergency Room entrance.

Where to Check-In

Families who are preregistered or arriving for delivery should go straight to Labor and Delivery, on the third floor. You will not need to check in at the main hospital admissions desk. If arriving at night, please enter the hospital through the Emergency Room entrance and continue to Labor and Delivery.

When packing a labor bag, be sure to include:

• Driver’s license or ID card
• Insurance information
• Phone, camera, video camera and charging cables

Other items that may keep you comfortable during labor include:

• A deck of cards, books, magazines, music, tablet, etc.
• Bathrobe or labor gown
• Labor support tools
• Comfy slippers/socks (skid-proof)
• Snacks for your partner

Please note you do not need to bring your luggage or car seat to your room until after delivery.

Your Labor, Birth and Recovery Room

Our Family Birthplace is as warm and inviting as the family and friends that surround you. The fresh and comfortable surroundings are designed to enhance your birth experience. Each spacious labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum suite comfortably accommodate families in one place and includes:

• 42” high-definition TV
• Free Internet access
• Individual, full-size bathroom
• Sleeper sofa that converts to a bed for overnight guests
• Aromatherapy diffuser
• Bluetooth speaker
• Room-service dining for your convenience

Birth Plans

If you have a birth plan, please share it with the nurse when you arrive at your labor room. You do not have to create a birth plan. We will try to follow your wishes as long as they do not interfere with the health and safety of you or the baby.

Documenting this special occasion is important for many of our families. Cameras and video recorders are allowed with the following conditions:

• Your provider and any nurses or providers in the room must consent to the video or photography.
• The individual recording the birth must sign the hospital’s Photographer/Videographer Agreement.
• Video or photography can begin only when allowed by the provider or hospital staff.
• Only hand-held devices are allowed in Labor and Delivery (no tripods).

Please note that the provider or nurse may require the individual to stop photographing or videotaping at any time.

Pain Management Options

There is no medical best choice for managing pain during labor. Everyone has different pain thresholds. Instead, it’s a question of what makes the most sense for you and your partner. If you find that you want additional pain management during labor, the options available at Texas Health Allen include:

• Hydrotherapy (laboring in water)
• IV medication
• Epidurals
• Aromatherapy

Expectant parents often find the support of a doula to be helpful. Doulas are trained in providing emotional and physical support and helping women to carry out their birth plans. Doulas are welcome at mom’s bedside as part of her care team and can be hired sometime during the pregnancy.

Our goal is to maintain scheduled delivery dates. To provide excellent care to you during the birth of your child(ren), the scheduled time of your arrival might change. If there are any changes, we will call you (usually 1-2 hours before admission). We will also communicate any changes with your doctor. If you have questions or concerns about changes to your scheduled delivery, talk to your doctor.

Before Your Delivery

If you are having a scheduled induction or cesarean at Texas Health Allen, please remember the following:

• Do not eat or drink at least eight hours before the procedure or the procedure may be rescheduled, possibly to another day
• After check-in, you will be prepared approximately two hours prior to the procedure.

Scheduled Cesarean Births

When you arrive, tell the admissions staff you are there for a scheduled procedure. You will be taken to your room, where you will remain for approximately two hours. During this time, the nurses will monitor the baby and check your vitals, and you will receive an epidural before being taken to the operating room.

In the operating room will be two physicians, a nurse and an anesthesiologist. One support person may be present in the operating room for the surgery unless there are any safety concerns. Typically, you will be in the operating room for about one hour. After the surgery you will be moved back to your room with your baby and support person.

Learn more about what to expect before, during and after your c-section.

Skin-to-Skin

As soon as possible after birth, nurses will place your baby skin-to-skin for at least an hour to allow time for the first feeding. Skin-to-skin time helps your newborn stay warm, stabilizes blood-sugar levels and is considered good for all babies.

Baby’s First Examination

After the first hour, your newborn will be examined in your birth room, which will allow your family to be part of the baby’s first exam and measurement.

Your Pediatrician is Notified

We encourage you to select a pediatrician before your baby's birth. After your baby's birth, we will notify your pediatrician that you have delivered. If you do not have a preselected pediatrician or one with privileges at the hospital, your baby will be seen by the on-call pediatrician.

Postpartum Care

You and your baby will remain in your labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum suite throughout your visit. This is the time when your partner can bring your additional luggage to the room.

How Long You Will Stay

Typically, you will be discharged between 24 and 48 hours after a vaginal delivery. For a cesarean, you will can be discharged between 48 and 72 hours after surgery. Exceptions exist for shorter and longer hospital stays, if desired or needed. Talk with your nurse about when you hope to be discharged.

Get Up and Walk

Within six hours after giving birth, your nurse will help you get out of bed to walk around. Walking will improve your circulation and prevent blood clots.

Your Nurse Will Visit Hourly

Your nurse will regularly come by to check on you. If you would like less frequent visitations, just let the nurse know.

When You Can Eat

After an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, you can eat as soon as you desire. Following a cesarean, a nurse will offer liquids and within six hours, you will be eating regular food.

Baby’s Screenings and Procedures

During your hospital stay, your baby will be examined by a pediatrician every day. If your pediatrician has privileges at the hospital, they or someone from their practice, will visit you daily. If your pediatrician is not on the medical staff, you will be visited by an on-call pediatrician. In addition, your newborn will have several tests that may include:

• Blood screen (age 24 hours)
• Hearing screen
• Jaundice
• Heart screen (age 24 hours)
• Car-seat screen (when applicable)

Circumcision

Circumcision for a boy infant may be completed during the hospital stay, if desired. Your baby is returned to you typically within an hour of the procedure.

Where Baby Will Stay

Texas Health Allen works to minimize separation of moms and babies. We encourage moms to keep their babies in their hospital rooms (including nighttime), a practice called rooming-in. Even your baby's evaluations and examinations may take place in your room. Moms also have an opportunity to learn their baby's cues with personnel nearby to answer questions and provide education. With support and guidance from experienced nurses, parents gain the skills needed to confidently care for their babies, in the comfort of their hospital rooms.

Celebration Meal

The arrival of a new baby is one of life’s most important milestones. To help celebrate this momentous occasion, Texas Health Allen offers a celebratory meal of steak and lobster (other options are available) for the mom and a support person.

Room Service Dining

Texas Health Allen is proud to offer room service dining for both mom and a support person during their stay, seven days a week.

On-Campus Dining

Download our quick guide to view dining options available on campus.

During your hospital stay, a coordinator will contact you to complete the necessary paperwork to record your baby’s birth. You will be given documentation that can be sent to your insurance company.

Get more information on requesting your child’s birth certificate or social security information.

Breastfeeding Support

During your hospital stay, your nurse will be the primary contact for breastfeeding education. Lactation consultants are also available seven days a week to provide one-on-one assistance in the privacy of your room. Speak to a lactation consultant by calling 972-747-6377.

Breast Pump Rentals

Located on the first floor in the Medical Office Building, the gift shop has hospital-grade breast pumps available for rent. For more information and pricing, please call 972-747-6037.

Even if your doctor says you are ready to go home, there is still a process that needs to be completed for your safety and security.

Things to Discuss with Your Family

Are you ready and do you have the things you need before going home? Discuss these questions with your family (If you have questions or concerns, please talk with your nurse):

• When do I think I will be going home (day and time)?
• How am I getting home?
• Who will help me at home?
• Do I have the supplies I need?

Steps That Happen on Discharge Day

Before you go home, you must complete several items. They are:

• Your OB/GYN has visited and said you can go home
• The pediatrician has visited and said your baby can go home
• You rented a breast pump, if desired
• You have completed all necessary paperwork
• Your prescriptions have been ordered or sent to your pharmacy
• You have reviewed your medications with a nurse
• A nurse or technician has brought a wheel chair to take you to your car

When complications develop during a pregnancy, Texas Health Allen provides quality and comfortable care for expectant moms. We offer compassionate support when you have an increased risk of complication, such as multiple births or high-risk pregnancies or a pre-existing medical conditions.

While staying in the antepartum unit, you will be cared for by an experienced multidisciplinary team that includes:

• Board-certified maternal-fetal specialists on the medical staff
• Neonatal physicians
• Social services
• Case managers
• Dietitians
• Pastoral care

The team also works closely with your obstetrician, if needed, to assist with the birthing process.

Spacious Accommodations

The antepartum area is located inside The Family Birthplace on the third floor of the main hospital. It has five spacious rooms that feature hotel-like surroundings and gourmet room service. Each patient has a private room designed to provide comfort and convenience.

View the latest COVID-19 visitor guidelines.

We want each mom-to-be to have an enjoyable long-term stay at The Family Birthplace. While a guest, the following amenities and services are available:

• Childbirth education offered bedside
• Bedside baby showers
• Gourmet room-service dining
• Personalized tours of the NICU (if desired)
• Online childbirth and breastfeeding classes
• Visitation from a personal dog or cat
• Visits from pet therapy dogs
• Pastoral care and support
• Aromatherapy diffusers