Your Stay at McLaren Northern Michigan Family Birthplace
Family BirthPlace at Mclaren Northern Michigan is located at 416 Connable Ave. in Petoksey Michigan. We over look the beautiful Lake Michigan and are right off W Mitchell St. Our physicians, surgeons and other health care team members are committed to delivering care and providing excellence in family birthing.Family BirthPlace at McLaren Northern Michigan cares close to home in Petoskey, and other surrounding up north areas. Our accommodations, classes and other services we provide are all discussed below.
Mothers choose the Family BirthPlace at McLaren Northern Michigan with confidence because of the compassion and expertise of our care providers and the warm and beautiful home-like atmosphere. And once you're home, you are welcome to call one of our nurses anytime during those first few weeks to ask important questions. If you're a first-time mother, you will receive a follow-up call a couple of days after your return home.
Birthing Center Classes
Accommodations
Having a baby is a special and unique experience. The birthing team at McLaren Northern Michigan will make every effort to support you and provide compassionate care during your hospital stay. Some of the features available include:
- Hotel-like birthing rooms with cozy furniture including sleeper sofas for the comfort of loved ones who will join you during the birth.
- Tools to help manage your comfort during labor, such as birthing balls.
- Bathrooms with spa-like features and massaging shower heads. Birthing rooms include large, hydrotherapeutic Jacuzzi tubs.
- Televisions and complimentary WiFi.
- Family kitchen and refrigerator for personal use.
- Blanket warmers.
- A well-rounded menu and personal delivery from our room service ambassadors.
- Special complimentary first family meal for the mother and father after the birth of the child.
- Special handprint and footprint keepsake of your newborn.
- Doula and Birth Service recommendations available on request.
The Family BirthPlace consists of four labor and birthing rooms that provide a warm and pleasing home-like atmosphere. After the birth of your baby, you will be transferred to one of the 10 post-partum rooms. Each family stays together in the post-partum room and mother and baby are cared for by the same nurse.
The Family BirthPlace also includes a newborn observation area, if your baby requires a medical procedure or additional assessments. Our goal is to keep you and your baby together, unless there is a medical reason to separate you.
Baby-Friendly Philosophy
At the McLaren Northern Michigan Family BirthPlace, we follow a Baby-Friendly philosophy. Being Baby-Friendly means offering care that supports mother/baby bonding and gives parents and newborns the best possible start for infant feeding.
We believe those first moments after birth are precious for developing strong bonds between you and your baby. As soon as possible, we'll bring your new baby to your chest (skin-to-skin). Regular skin-to-skin contact helps your baby recover from birth and feed better.
If you are a breastfeeding family, a Lactation Counselor will be available to provide expert care and compassionate support along the way. A “Breastfeeding Warm-Line†is available if you have questions concerning breastfeeding after you have gone home. Outpatient visits to see a Lactation Counselor can also be arranged if the need arises.
Security and Infant Safety
Infant security is provided via the Hugs Tag System. Each infant has a small leg bracelet applied soon after birth. This bracelet contains a tag that is monitored by sensors within the center and a computer at the nurses' workstation. In the event an infant is placed within range of a door sensor, all doors in the center automatically lock and alarms sound. This activity generates responses from all staff members.
McLaren Northern Michigan also participates with the State of Michigan in providing car seat safety checks on each infant discharged from the Family BirthPlace. Certified car seat technicians are available to assist with proper installation of your baby's car seat.
Highly-Trained and Experienced Caregivers
We provide obgyn services for women and families throughout northern Michigan. Services can be provided throughout pregnancy and until birth. Registered nurses are specially trained in mother and child care. Each obstetric nurse maintains current certification in fetal monitoring as well as neonatal resuscitation. Social service and care coordination are provided along with all other disciplines within the Hospital. For more information about our Obstetric team, please call (800) 248-6777
Preregister for your hospital stay
Once you are within 30 days from your due date, call or visit the Admissions office, located on the Lobby Level of the McLaren Northern Michigan hospital in Petoskey, MI -- around the corner from the Gift Shop. Mon. -- Fri.: 7 am -- 11:30 p.m. For questions about pre-register call (866) 652-0992.
Pre-birth Hospital Appointment
ALL mothers who plan to give birth at McLaren Northern Michigan (even if you've had a baby here before), are asked to come to this 45-60 min. appointment. You will meet with a nurse to fill out necessary paperwork, review your educational needs, discuss your birth plan, tour the OB area if you desire, and have your baby's car seat checked for proper installation. Ideally, your appointment will be scheduled 3-4 weeks prior to your due date, so it is best to call between 32-34 weeks of your pregnancy. Contact the hospital to schedule a pre-birth appointment at (231) 487-4762.