Labor & Delivery FAQs

A financial counselor will contact you during your third trimester with detailed information about estimated out-of-pocket expenses associated with your delivery. 

Payment plans are available. Alleviate concerns about insurance coverage by calling your insurance provider prior to admission to pre-certify the delivery. Your provider will explain the normal allowable stay. 

Want to get a head start? Contact a friendly financial counselor in our billing departments during regular business hours:

• Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, call (337) 470-5752.
• St. Dominic's Hospital, call (601) 200-5746.
• St. Francis Medical Center, call (318) 966-4118.
• Our Lady of the Angels Hospital, call (985) 730-6727.

We encourage all moms-to-be to pre-register for their stay with us during the second trimester of pregnancy. Providing your personal data and insurance information is the first step in our exciting journey together preparing for the arrival of your special delivery.

• To pre-register to deliver at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, call (337) 470-5739.
• To pre-register to deliver at St. Dominic's Hospital, call (601) 200-5995.
• To pre-register to deliver at St. Francis Medical Center, call (318) 966-3328.
• To pre-register to deliver at Our Lady of the Angels Hospital, call (985) 730-6700.

All our hospitals offer open visiting hours for your spouse, partner or support person. One adult can stay in your room with you overnight. 

Learn more about the specific visiting hours at our birthing hospitals:

• Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital
• St. Dominic Hospital
• St. Francis Medical Center
• Our Lady of the Angels Hospital

The birth of your baby is an exciting time, so in order to help you and your family share this moment, you can choose to allow up to two support people into the labor and birth room with you.

Family and friends play an integral part in the health and well-being of patients. That's why we encourage the presence and participation of visitors in our patients' care. They are valued partners in our care team.

Learn more about the specific visiting hours at our birthing hospitals:

• Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital
• St. Dominic's Hospital
• St. Francis Medical Center
• Our Lady of the Angels Hospital

Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital offers close, convenient parking that’s free for patients and guests.

Directions to St. Dominic's Hospital’s Maternal/Newborn Center:

• Exit from Interstate 55 west or east at Exit 98 (Lakeland Drive).
• Enter St. Dominic’s campus by turning left off of Lakeland just under the second skywalk.
• Drive around to the south side and park in the Maternal/Newborn care parking spaces. Enter the hospital at the south entrance and go to the elevators. You’ll see them on the left after you enter.
• Take the elevator to the fifth floor and go to Maternal/Newborn Center.
• After hours, go directly to St. Dominic’s Emergency Department (North Entrance).

St. Francis Medical Center offers FREE valet service as well as shuttle service to and from our parking facilities. We have self-parking available in our parking garage for our patients and visitors.

Our Lady of the Angels Hospital offers close, convenient parking for patients and visitors.

Absolutely! This is an exciting time of memories that will last a lifetime. You and your loved ones may choose to bring in a photographer to capture these special moments.

Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital offers professional photography services to capture those first few precious moments together. Inquire with your nurse if you would like more information about the service.

The usual stay for a vaginal delivery is 24-48 hours; 72-96 hours for a Cesarean birth. We do everything in our power to ensure you and your baby have a comfortable stay during the important bonding time after delivery. The main focus of our nursing care is to provide parents with instructions on caring for their new baby.

The decision is yours if you would prefer to allow your child to receive formula and use pacifiers.

Hospital-grade breast pumps are available, if requested or needed.

With so many babies born under our skillful, compassionate watch, your healthcare team at any of our hospitals is ready to meet your unique needs to help ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

Having a baby is hard work. Some women experience more pain than others. We support natural childbirth, but we also want to make you as comfortable as possible in every stage. Tell us how much assistance you need. We have on-site anesthesia services available any time of the day or night, even on weekends and on holidays.

The special connection between you and your baby begins long before birth. Skin-to-skin bonding for at least one hour immediately after birth enhances that connection and offers many benefits to both you and your baby. Immediately after birth, your baby is placed directly on your chest and covered with two receiving blankets for at least an hour. You and your significant other are encouraged to enjoy this experience as often as desired while in the hospital and once you return home.

Absolutely. There’s a lot to know about breastfeeding. Have questions? We have answers. Our internationally certified lactation consultant and certified lactation counselors are ready to assist you. Learn more about our breastfeeding resources.

Saving, or “banking,” your newborn’s cord blood stem cells is a one-time opportunity to protect the health of your family. Stem cells from cord blood have been used to treat certain types of leukemia, lymphoma, aplastic anemia, severe sickle cell, and other diseases. Discuss with your provider before delivery.

Someone from our health information management team will contact you for information to complete your baby’s birth certificate. Some of the items you will need to include are the baby’s full name and date of birth, both parents’ place of birth, social security numbers, and highest level of education completed.

Once the information you provide is entered into the system, the same representative will review the document with you and have you sign the birth certificate. It will then go through several more steps before you receive a certified copy.

• Our Lady of Lourdes Health Medical Records
• St. Francis Health Medical Records
• Our Lady of the Angels Health Medical Records
• St. Dominic's Health Medical Records

Your physician will work with our dietary team to ensure you receive meals with the proper nutrients you need during your stay. We have a variety of foods available to accommodate many different dietary needs. Ask your nurse for more information. Guest meals are available for purchase.

Our team shares with you the responsibility of protecting your infant and understands that an educated and watchful parent is the best line of defense in infant security. Here are some guidelines you should review before your admittance to the hospital. A comprehensive infant security program is in place at all of our hospitals, and your nurse will review it with you once you have been admitted.

• Become familiar with the hospital staff who work on the unit and in the nursery, and know the nurse assigned to your baby.
• Question unfamiliar persons entering your room or inquiring about your baby even if they are in hospital attire. Alert the nurses’ station immediately.
• NEVER give your baby to anyone but your primary nurse, and question anyone who attempts to carry your baby out of your room.
• Determine where your baby will be taken for tests and how long the tests will take. Find out who has authorized the tests.
• NEVER leave your baby alone in your room.
• When your baby is in your room, keep the bassinet beside your bed, on the side furthest from the door.
• Don’t hesitate to ask the staff about any security questions you may have.
• Please help us by educating your family and friends about infant security issues. While our policies are not meant to inconvenience them in any way, please abide by the rules and adhere to established visiting hours.
• Please do not carry your infant in the hallways. Always transport your infant in his/her bassinet.

At St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, the Safe Place infant security system is in place to ensure your newborn is always in a safe, secure environment. Your newborn will have a monitor on their ankle from birth until discharge. All visitors are required to show a picture ID and check-in with security upon arrival to the hospital.

Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital offers outpatient lactation support to moms through the first year and beyond. Our certified lactation consultant can assist you through all stages of breastfeeding. To schedule a consultation, please call (337) 470-BABY(2229).

Appointments within seven days of discharge are complimentary. Additional appointments will require a doctor’s order and can be submitted to your insurance provider. To pay for appointments out-of-pocket, the cost is $75.

Learn more about breastfeeding resources across our health system.

Yes. You must have a properly installed car seat and know how to use it. Check out our ParentingU car seat safety checklist.