Your Stay & Discharge
Following the birth of the baby in the Family Birth Center, new mothers will be transferred to another private or semi-private room with their baby for the rest of their hospital stay. Mothers and spouses have the option to room-in with their newborn right away or have them cared for in the nursery for a few hours so the new parents can have some needed rest. Rooms are equipped with guest pull-out beds, televisions and comfortable spare beds for spouses.
The baby will receive an APGAR test (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration) immediately following the birth that gauges the baby’s physical health on five different levels, including activity and muscle tone, skin coloration, breathing, pulse and reflexes. A 10 is the highest score. A PKU (phenylketonuria) test will also be administered via a blood draw from the heel of the babies’ foot. This test is done to check whether a newborn baby has the enzyme needed to use phenylalanine in his or her body. Phenylalanine is an amino acid that is needed for normal growth and development.
Photos of your newborn are snapped the day following the birth. Parents will be given a code so they may access and order the photographs online.
A hospital perinatal data coordinator will visit the new parents to record the newborn’s name and register the birth with the County of Marin.
Upon request, a certified Lactation Consultant will check in regularly to assist with breastfeeding needs.
Marin General Hospital Volunteers donate handmade knit hats to each newborn.
On the day of discharge from the hospital, an obstetric nurse will meet with the new parents. Remember to purchase and learn how to use an approved car seat. California State law requires the use of a federally approved car seat. Your baby must always be placed in the car seat, beginning with the ride home from the hospital.