Contact

Labor and Delivery
925-370-5608

Nursery
925-370-5615

Postpartum
925-370-5613

Labor & Delivery

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Contra Costa Regional Medical Center wants you to have the most rewarding birth experience and first few days with your new baby. Our Labor & Delivery unit has eight private rooms that are designed to allow a woman to remain in one room - from labor and delivery through her recovery.

When You Get Here

When you arrive at the hospital, a triage nurse will evaluate you and the doctor will decide if you are ready to be admitted. It is not uncommon to send mothers back home if they are not ready for delivery. We do offer an "early labor lounge" where patients can be monitored in a comfortable environment without actually being admitted.

The Birthing Process

Once you're admitted, we offer free doula service to moms who want extra support from a birth coach. There is no limit as to how many people can be in the room during the birthing process, as long as the staff can do what they need to do.

Visitation

Visitors can come any time. We just ask that visitors to keep their voices down after 7 p.m. as a courtesy to other patients. Dads are welcome to stay overnight.

Going Home

The average length of stay for a vaginal delivery is 48 hours and 72 hours for a cesarean section.

When you and baby are ready to go home, we will give you a layette package that includes basic essentials, such as a blanket, sleeper, onesie, cap, thermometer and baby toy.

False Labor vs Real

Before actually going into labor, you may have "false" labor pains. These "false" labor pains are called Braxton Hicks contractions, and prepare your body for delivery. Think of it as practice. Here are some signs that what you are feeling is not "true" labor. Braxton Hicks contractions:

Are usually not painful.
Do not occur at regular intervals.
Do not become stronger with time.
Do not last longer with each occurrence.
Do not get closer together the more you get them.
Goes away when you change position or move.

Before Coming to the Hospital

What to Pack:

Watch with a second hand to time your contractions.
Picture ID, insurance card, and any other required hospital paperwork.
Bathrobe, slippers, and socks. The hospital will provide you with a gown and socks, but some mothers prefer their own.
Whatever will help you relax.
Toiletries.
Money/change for vending machines.
Phone charger.
Camera or video camera.
Going home outfits for you and baby.
A car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends rear facing seats for infants and toddlers.

When to Go to the Hospital

You will have to go into the hospital once you experience active labor when your contractions are longer and closer together. However, it may be easy to mistake active labor with early labor, especially for first time mothers. Early labor lasts for a few hours or days, and contractions are inconsistent. This may start at 37 weeks gestational age. Some signs that it might be time to go to the hospital:

Contractions are 3-5 minutes apart. Time your contractions from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next.
Water breaking. This is when the fluid-filled amniotic sac ruptures. This may be a large gush of fluid or a continuous trickle.
A decrease in fetal movement.
Bloody discharge, or bleeding similar to your period.

Call the Labor & Delivery Department at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center
925-370-5608

Pain Management and Medication

Tips for managing labor pains without medication:

Move around while you are in labor; walking, standing, and squatting can help.
Use a birthing ball to sit or lie on.
Stand or sit in the shower.
Get support from your partner or family.
Ask your healthcare provider about getting a birth doula, who can help support you during labor.

Using medications during labor and delivery:
Using pain medication or epidural anesthesia during labor and delivery can delay baby's first feeding. These medications can make baby sleepy and less interested in eating during the first hour of life. Holding baby skin-to-skin will help wake baby up. Even if baby is sleepy at first, you can successfully establish breastfeeding! Let your nurse or lactation consultant know if you need help.

During Your Hospital Stay

Rooming-in

During your stay at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, you and your baby will be resting in the same room day and night. Rooming-in is best because:

Less crying for baby and more rest for you.
Helps you learn your baby's feeding cues, so you can feed your baby on demand.
Helps you learn how to care for your baby.

Visitation

Visitors can come any time. We just ask that visitors to keep their voices down after 7 p.m. as a courtesy to other patients. Dads are welcome to stay overnight.

Skin-to-Skin

As soon as possible after birth, your baby will be placed on your bare chest, skin-to-skin.
Skin-to-skin soon after birth allows your baby to adjust to life outside of your body by keeping them warm and calm.
It begins the bonding process.
Most babies will find your breast and try to start breastfeeding on their own, some may need a little encouragement.

First Hour - "The Golden Hour"

This is a special time for mom and baby to be together.
Newborns require quiet time to connect with their moms.
Baby will likely be awake and want to feed.
After this hour baby may be very sleepy, as the birth process is very tiring.

Visitors can come any time. We just ask that visitors to keep their voices down after 7 p.m. as a courtesy to other patients. Dads are welcome to stay overnight.

Additional Services

A patient demonstration lounge for breastfeeding consultations.
Informational sessions on newborns safety
Education for parents with special-needs babies.
Two dedicated operating rooms
Intermediate Care Nursery that allows moderately sick infants to remain in the hospital with mom nearby
A "Boarder Room" to accommodate the discharged mother who is learning to care for her special-needs newborn.