North Shore University Hospital
Do you offer private rooms? If so, what is the cost?
Yes, for postpartum and antepartum at no extra charge.
Do you offer prenatal, sibling or other classes?
Prenatal classes and parenting programs can be scheduled through the Katz Women’s Institute (516-881-7000). We provide onsite breast-feeding classes, as well. Sibling groups are offered to prepare children for the arrival of their new sister or brother. Storytime is provided as per family request. Our patient and family-centered care department helps to facilitate communication and provide any support needed during the stay. The hospital also offers holistic interventions, such aroma therapy, guided imagery and meditation. Our “special moments” program can provide families with celebrations for special milestones.
What special things do you do for the mother and baby?
North Shore’s dining service department provides room service meals from an in-room menu with select options for new parents. One complimentary meal is also provided for a partner. A beautiful educational book called “New Beginnings,” and a swaddle blanket are also provided. Valet parking at no extra charge the day of discharge.
Do you have an on-site neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)?
Yes. Our Level 3 NICU is able to provide complex, state-of-the-art neonatal care to infants as young as 23 to 24 weeks. They provide care for infants born in the hospital, as well as infants transferred into the institution.
Do you have a labor and delivery room?
Yes, we have newly renovated Labor and Delivery Recovery rooms. Our family-centered care philosophy is to allow the patient to experience the entire birth process in one room whenever possible. Skin-to-skin and non-separation are supported and encouraged. We also have a new state-of0-the-art OB Recovery room.
Are doulas or midwives allowed?
Doulas are allowed. North Shore University Hospital has a strong partnership with the Long Island Doula Association. At this time, North Shore does not have midwives.
What kind of security measures do you have in place to make sure the baby is safe?
All visitors must receive a visitor’s pass at the front desk. The units are locked and visitors are screened before entering. There is also an infant security system.
Is there a breast-feeding coach and lactation consultant available on-site? Does the hospital support breast- and/or bottle feeding?
There are lactation consultants at the hospital and more than 100 of the RNs are certified breast-feeding counselors, who can provide education and support. All RN staff are trained and educated to provide breast-feeding education and support, as well. The hospital supports breast-feeding, but respects the choice of the mother. North Shore will provide education as to the benefits of breast milk.
Is videotaping/photographing the birth allowed? A photographer for newborns available?
Still photos are permitted, videotaping is permitted in the privacy of your post-partum room. There is a contract for baby portraits.
What do the rooms look like?
Do you offer anything special for moms during labor (i.e. hydrobath, labor ball, etc.)?
North Shore uses the peanut ball, which helps for a faster delivery during the last part of labor. Anesthesia is on the unit 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provided services whenever needed.
Do you offer a hospital tour?
Yes, North Shore provides 10 tour groups a month. Tours are led by experienced Perinatal RN’s. The informational session includes review of the admission/discharge process, helpful information for your stay and a tour of the Labor and Delivery, and Postpartum units.
Does the hospital do cord blood banking?
Families can arrange for private cord blood collections from one of the several companies the hospital has an agreement with. Doctor’s offices can provide the information during the pregnancy.
Do you offer any parting swag bags with samples?
The hospital provides educational materials.
Are siblings allowed to visit? Can the spouse sleep in the room?
Siblings can visit, and one support person can sleep over. Children are welcome but can’t sleep over.
What are the visiting hours?
Visitors are welcome at any time during a patient’s stay.
What’s the rate of C-sections at the hospital?
Approximately 35 percent.
What’s the rate of breast-feeding mothers?
About 37 percent exclusively breast-feed; 54 percent breast- and bottle-feed.
What is the episiotomy rate?
Approximately 12 percent.
Will my baby be able to sleep in the same room as me? Is there a nursery?
The hospital encourages rooming in — the infants are safe – and the front desk of the unit is always manned so they can see who is coming in. In addition, the OB staff has a different colored ID so parents know that he/she is an authorized person to be in the area near their baby. Every unit is equipped with a nursery and RN coverage at all times within the nursery. The nursery is available to parents as needed.
Average length of a postpartum stay?
The usual stay is two days for a vaginal birth and three days for a C-section delivery.
Does the hospital offer anything new/cutting edge?
The hospital works as a team consisting of nurses, maternal fetal medicine physicians, neonatologist and other medical specialists when a woman has medical issues that could complicate her pregnancy. Our close relationship with Northwell Health’s Cohen Children’s Medical Center provides us consults and access to all neonatal/pediatric subspecialties as needed.