Your Hospital Stay
The Parkview Whitley Hospital Family Birthing Center is designed to provide a private and caring atmosphere. Each room is spacious and furnished for your comfort, with a flat-screen television for mom and one for family members too.
Personal Birth Planner
Say hello to your Parkview Whitley birth planner.
Every mom-to-be deserves special attention. That’s why, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, we give you something that no other area hospital offers — your very own birth planner —someone to guide you through every step of the process. From prenatal classes to planning the special “Family Hour” after your baby is born, your birth planner coordinates everything. She’ll even help you create a customized pregnancy and delivery plan. Just think of her as your “go-to” person at Parkview Whitley Hospital. When you have a question, simply give her a call or drop her an e-mail. She’s only too happy to help. She’ll help you prepare for your big day now, saving you time later on when you’re admitted. Best of all, her services are free!
Your Parkview birth planner can:
- Help you pre-register for your hospital stay – by phone or online
- Give you a tour of the Family Birthing Center
- Create a record of your OB history
- Create an individualized pregnancy and delivery plan
- Familiarize you with all the amenities available
- Help you plan the special “Family Hour” just after your baby is born
- Serve as a contact person for all of your questions and concerns
- Connect you with useful prenatal and postpartum resources
- Help you sign up for prenatal classes
- Follow up with you after your baby is born
For more information or to register, call (260) 248-9321.
Classes
Preparing for Childbirth Class
Preparation is key to having a confident, personally satisfying birthing experience. This five-week Lamaze class is designed to help you and your partner explore the physical, emotional and social aspects of birth. You will learn coping strategies for labor, including focused breathing, movement and positioning, labor support, massage and relaxation. Also included is information about pain management, cesarean births, postpartum and the early newborn stage of development. This class is taught by a certified childbirth educator (LCCE).
A breastfeeding class will also be offered at no extra charge upon completion of the five-week course. The goal of this class is to help you and your baby get off to a good start with breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Your Baby
This class is highly encouraged if you are considering breastfeeding your baby. We give you practical information about the benefits of breastfeeding, and you will learn the importance of correct positioning and latching-on, pumping and storing of milk. Partners are welcome to attend. A registered, certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) leads this one-session class.
Parkview Breastfeeding Moms’ Group
This support group for mothers is provided every Monday morning from 10:30 a.m. to noon. You may stop in at any time to speak with the lactation consultant, have your baby weighed and, most importantly, share personal tips and experiences with other moms.
Bedtime Basics for Babies/Safe Sleep Education
This 90-minute class provides education for safe sleep practices. Safety-approved cribs are for parents who qualify. For more information, call (260) 248-9321.
Bedtime Basics for Babies/Safe Sleep Education participants receive a Beds and Britches, Etc. (B.A.B.E.) coupon. B.A.B.E. is a community-based incentive program that provides new clothing and supplies for parents with children age newborn through age five. The program operates a boutique where parents can exchange coupons they earn by participating in local programs and services that will benefit themselves as parents as well as their babies and young children.
Moms and dads are also pampered, with refreshments available all day, a special family hour after delivery, and a keepsake gift basket to take home. After delivering, mom can relax in a private whirlpool bath.
Although every parent wants to have a healthy baby, some infants are born prematurely or become ill after birth. In this event, your physician may decide that your baby needs special attention. A state-of-the-art newborn intensive care unit at the Parkview Women’s & Children’s Hospital in Fort Wayne is available 24/7 with board-certified neonatologists to provide needed care.