Maternal Child Flight (L&D / MBU)

The Maternal Child Flight (also known as Labor and Delivery) provides inpatient obstetrical services for childbearing women and their newborns. The flight is staffed with:

• Active duty and civilian registered nurses
• Licensed vocational nurses
• Medical technicians and ward clerks

Obstetricians, family physicians, residents and midwives provide comprehensive obstetrical services for routine and high-risk pregnant patients.

The Labor and Delivery Department was professionally redesigned in 2015 to create an inviting and open atmosphere where patients are the priority. Each of the six private rooms has a shower, television and DVD player, multipurpose seating area, rocking chair, wireless fetal monitoring capability and state of the art equipment, which can be hidden until needed. In addition, the unit has two outpatient triage rooms, two operating rooms and a three-bed well-baby nursery. Wireless internet is available for patients and their family members.

We try to create a comfortable and relaxed family environment for you and your family and we encourage parents to keep their baby with them in the room. We also encourage skin-to-skin contact for mother and baby not only because it increases bonding time, but it sets the foundation for breastfeeding.

Siblings and children over the age of 12 may visit during labor as well as after the delivery if they are not ill. We cannot accommodate children to stay overnight but one adult may stay overnight to support mother and baby.

Visiting Hours: There are no enforced visiting hours when you are in labor because we recognize the importance of having family and friends around during this special time. We request that only two people visit at a time; however, more visitors can be allowed at the nurses’ discretion.

• Postpartum visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, excluding quiet hours.
• Quiet hours are 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. daily. This time will only be interrupted to provide essential patient care. Quiet hours allow you and the other patients to get some much needed rest and bond with your new baby in private. Quiet time is also an opportunity for you to become more aware of your infant’s feeding cues.

Special Viewing Drapes: Drapes are available if you and your partner want to view your baby being born by Caesarian section. For more information, speak with your provider team.

Classes: We offer a number of education programs for you and your new bay. The Women’s Health Clinic and Maternal Child Flight sponsor childbirth classes throughout the year. Classes cover helpful information about what to expect when you are in labor and include a tour of the birthing unit. Please ask your provider for a list of class options.

• A breastfeeding class is regularly offered. To enroll, call 707-423-7556.
• Breastfeeding support is one of our specialties. Lactation support is available for both inpatients and outpatients with a referral. If desired, a lactation consultant will visit you in the hospital and nursing staff are available around the clock.
• Wireless electronic fetal monitoring allows patients to walk around the unit and change positions during labor. If your provider permits, you may use hydrotherapy (shower) to help with discomfort while utilizing the wireless fetal monitoring system.