Having a baby is one of the most difficult, spiritual, rewarding experiences you will ever go through. And we want you to trust that we will make your labor and delivery journey as positive as possible.
Gunnison Valley Hospital is proud to be chosen, by hundreds of central Utah families each year, as the place to bring their new baby into the world.
When it comes time to have your baby, you want to guarantee that the Hospital is taking every needed step to ensure the safety of you and your baby. Our highly skilled labor and delivery doctors and staff of nurses will be there to support you every step of the laboring process. They will listen to your birth plan and do their best to execute it. As well as adjusting the plan as you deem necessary or as the doctor deems medically necessary throughout the processes.
Family-Centered Care
Our family-centered maternity environment encourages you and your partner to participate in the birth of your baby in a suite designed for your comfort. Our private birthing suites are bright and modern, featuring a large window, flat-screen TV and plenty of room for loved ones to visit.
When to come to the Hospital -
Your doctor will tell you when to come to the hospital when you are in labor. Most first-time parents will be asked to wait at home until labor is well established – usually when contractions are about five minutes apart.
Unusual Pregnancy Symptoms
Notify your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms at any time during your pregnancy:
- Vaginal bleeding.
- Vaginal discharge that is unusual.
- Pain or burning upon urination, or decreased urination.
- Persistent nausea or vomiting.
- Leakage of fluid from the vagina.
- Sharp pelvic pain or severe cramping.
- Severe, persistent, frequent headaches.
- Visual disturbances such as blurred vision, white lights or flashes, dots in front of the eyes.
- Sudden swelling in hands, feet and face.
- Falling or sustaining a blow to your abdomen.
- Noticeable decrease or absence of fetal movement.
- High fever – over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit orally.
- Contractions more often than four times an hour if you are less than 37 weeks.
- Low back pain that comes and goes.
- Any other problem that feels unusual.
Below is an overview of how Gunnison Valley Hospital approaches each type of delivery.
Medicated Birth –
If you would like an epidural during labor, we have board certified anesthesiologists who will help your body relax so that you can deliver the baby with little to no pain. In the event a Cesarean birth is necessary, our anesthesiologists will get you situated with an epidural or spinal block so that you won’t feel pain during the surgery process. After the delivery of the baby, the anesthesiologist will still be available upon your request to help you with postpartum pain management.
During the laboring processing, our trained nurses will be with you the entire time to help you through every step. Our experienced doctors in obstetrics will deliver your baby in the safest possible way for mother and baby.
Natural Birth –
If you would like to delivery your baby naturally, our facility and nurses will support you. We have a variety of birth props available for our patients use like birthing balls, birthing peanuts, and labor tubs. Our nurses will read and reread your birth plan to ensure they are helping you feel comfortable and confident during every stage of labor. Our experienced doctors will help guide the mother through the crowning, pushing and delivering of the baby. They do everything they can to help the mother have less tearing and baby to have a safe exit.
After the delivery of the baby, the doctor and nurses will prepare the mother’s body for a successful recovery. As well as examine and give baby support for its new entrance into the world.
Cesarean Birth –
If you are planning on delivering your baby cesarean, or there is medical need to deliver your baby through an emergency C-section, our skilled obstetric and surgical team is here to help you! They will provider compassionate, expert care in a calm, supportive environment. You can trust that our experienced physicians, nurse and anesthesiology team prioritize your comfort and safety. After delivery, we focus on helping you recover smoothly and bond with your newborn, offering guidance and support every step of the way.
Baby Support –
When the mother is crowning a group of 3 or more nurses will be prepared in the labor and delivery room to be able to support mom and baby. Each nurse has a specific duty/focus given in that room. Once the baby is born the doctor will quickly examine the state of the health of the baby. If the baby is breathing and has a healthy coloring, the mother can hold her baby immediately after delivery. Then, while the mother is holding the baby the doctor and nurses will continue to examine the baby by completing what is called the Apgar test which also includes heart rate, muscular tone and reflexes.
While the mother and baby are still in the labor and delivery room, the nurses will also measure the baby’s temperature, weight, length and head circumference. As well as complete umbilical cord care and eye care.
If your baby was born Cesarean the nurses will do the Apgar test examination first before bringing baby to mother. These examinations are done right by mother so mother can see baby. Baby is born cesarean can have trouble clearing their lungs of amniotic fluid, the nurses will suck the fluid from baby’s nose, mouth and throat.
If you baby is having trouble after birth treatment will be given right there in the delivery room. If the baby needs intermediate or continuing care, Gunnison Valley Hospital has a nursery where the nurses can monitor and help baby.
NeoPuff Resuscitation Tool
Gunnison Valley Hospital’s labor and delivery services are augmented with a resuscitation tool called the NeoPuff, which helps newborn infants struggling to take their first breath. The NeoPuff is used at neonatal intensive care units around the world and ensures that a baby receives consistent breath patterns with accurate pressure.
At times, transporting newborns to a neonatal unit is necessary, but the NeoPuff allows doctors at the hospital to help the majority of newborns with respiratory problems locally as opposed to transporting the infant, which can be costly and stressful for the family.
Facility –
We house 5 birthing rooms 2 of which have labor tubs. We have a small in-house nursery that is available for full-term babies when the mother or baby need extra support. Each of our mother’s and baby will receive highly attentive support from our nursing staff during their stay at the hospital.
Partner Support –
Your partner is your best cheerleader and we recognize that supporting you during all night labor can be exhausting. We ensure that your partner is also taken care of. We will offer drinks, food for purchase. If your partner would like to stay the night with you in the recovery room we have a reclining sofa, pillow and blankets available in the room.
Post-Partum Care –
After delivery, new moms move with their babies into a comfortable, private postpartum room. To encourage family bonding after birth, mother and baby can both be cared for in the mother’s room throughout her hospital stay.
Having a successful delivery is the main goal of course, but equal to that is having a successful recovery. Our team is here to make sure our moms are on track to heal properly and have a successful start when they return home with their new baby(ies). We do this be: ensuring the bleeding is regular, monitoring perineal healing, ensuring pain is under control, offering emotional support, offering breastfeeding support, discussing birth control options, discussing nutrition and hydration, discussing rest and self-care and discussing baby care.
To learn more about Gunnison Valley Hospital’s Labor and Delivery Department and advanced equipment, please call 435-528-7246.
