After The Baby Is Born

At the Center for Life, we want to help you make a successful transition into parenthood. Our Patient Education Coordinator will see to the many questions and concerns you might have about caring for yourself and your baby. Our Certified Lactation Consultant can help coordinate breastfeeding during your stay and after you return home. Our Clinical Nurse Specialist/Case Manager will address any issues you may have during your stay.

 

Infant Car Seat

When your baby is discharged you will need to provide a properly installed infant car seat.  Please note these guidelines:

  • There are two kinds of child safety seats for infants:  The infant carrier kind that locks into a base, and the convertible car seat that is initially installed rear-facing and then forward-facing after one year.
  • Make sure your child’s safety seat is installed tightly into the vehicle.  It should not move back and forth more than an inch.
  • Harness straps on the baby should be snug at the shoulders and on the hips.  You should not be able to fit more than one or two fingers between the straps and your baby at these two points.  The retainer clip connecting the straps should be at armpit level on the baby.
  • Avoid dressing baby in thick clothing when in the car seats.  There are two reasons for this:  Babies get overheated, and the straps will no longer be snug on your child.
  • Avoid leaving your baby in car seats for naps. Babies always breathe better on their backs rather than in the recline position.
  • Never put a rear-facing child safety seat in the front seat (it must always be in back, away from front air bags).
  • Children need to be rear facing until they reach one year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds.  They must meet both requirements before the car seat can be turned around to be forward facing.

 If you have trouble installing your child’s seat into your vehicle, we have certified child passenger safety technicians who may be available to help you.  Call 815-227-2323 for the dates, times and locations of free OSF car seat safety checks.  You can also contact the Winnebago County Safe Kids Coalition at 815-489-4483.

 

 Post Partum Clinic

 The OSF OB Center for Life is home to the only Post-Partum Clinic in the Midwest. This free program encourages new mothers to schedule an appointment within 48 hours of their discharge for a free physical assessment and a continuation of postnatal care and education.

Under this program, mothers and babies meet with an OB nurse several times during the week following discharge.  The program provides an opportunity for any maternal or child medical problems to be identified and questions regarding baby care or breastfeeding to be answered.  Mothers have many questions about the care of their new baby, as well as about changes in their own bodies as they go through the post-partum period.

The Clinic serves about 700 mothers and their babies each year. It provides a safety net so that any problems can be identified early.  Some problems, such as jaundice with high bilirubin, may be serious but have subtle symptoms not readily apparent to new parents.

The Post-Partum Clinic provides a sense of comfort to the new mother.  She knows that she and her new baby will be coming back for an evaluation by a healthcare professional, and that resources are available if she has any questions or concerns about her health or that of her baby.

The nurses in the Post-Partum Clinic help with breastfeeding concerns, screen for post-partum depression, dehydration or domestic violence and answer any questions the new mothers might have.  The new mother and her baby are encouraged to make an appointment at the Clinic within 24 to 48 hours after discharge and again 48 to 72 hours after discharge.  

The Post-Partum Clinic does not replace the baby’s physician, and parents are encouraged to select a doctor as soon as possible after their baby's birth, if they haven’t already.  In addition, new mothers are given a phone number they can call any time with their questions.  They can be connected to a lactation expert or talk directly with a nurse.  

The OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Post-Partum Clinic makes sure that new beginnings are great beginnings—as well as healthy ones.