What to Expect at Mary Immaculate Hospital

We offer seven modern, state-of-the-art birthing suites that are designed to be spacious and comfortable. Each suite is equipped with a private bathroom that includes a shower and two chairs that fold into twin-size beds for visitors. Additionally, we provide 14 postpartum rooms for families after birth or for pregnant patients who require a stay in the hospital. These rooms also come with private bathrooms equipped with showers and one chair that folds out into a twin-size bed for the primary partner to stay overnight with the mother.

Depending on your and your baby’s needs, we utilize both intermittent and continuous fetal monitoring. NOVII wireless monitors are available for those who desire the freedom to move in labor and are appropriate candidates. An anesthesia provider is available 24/7 for epidural placement.

To promote relaxation during labor, our suites are equipped with galaxy projectors, twinkle lights, essential oil diffusers, and wireless speakers. Peanut balls, labor balls, and Kaya birth stools are also available upon request.

The Mary Immaculate Hospital NICU is a level 2A facility and will admit infants 28 weeks (about 6 and a half months) and older, with a neonatologist or neonatal nurse practitioner in-house 24 hours a day.

When you arrive at the hospital, you should have a valid picture ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.), your insurance card, and your birth plan readily available. Please bring any glasses/contacts you’ll need, toiletries, lip balm, and lotion. If you prefer not to wear a hospital gown during labor, you can bring a personal labor gown. Comfort items such as slippers, a robe, extra pillows, phone chargers, and light, protein-filled snacks can enhance your experience. Don’t forget to prepare for the trip back home by bringing essentials such as a nursing bra, an outfit and blanket for the baby, and a car seat.

Weapons of any kind are prohibited on hospital grounds and should be left at home. Additionally, leave medications from home and valuables at home. Remember to also remove all metal from your body before admission, including piercings, belts, jewelry, etc.

Registering your child after birth is a simple process completed at the hospital. Our dedicated Birth Registrars will interview each family to ensure the accuracy of the birth certificate information and file the document for you. A $12.00 check or money order made out to the Virginia Health Department is required to order the baby’s birth certificate. To guarantee a smooth registration process, please bring your method of payment with you to the hospital.

Mary Immaculate Hospital has two IBCLC lactation consultants to offer breastfeeding and lactation support upon request. Third-trimester mothers are encouraged to attend our free breastfeeding classes and visit our lactation consultants for outpatient visits following discharge from the hospital. Additional staff are trained as Breastfeeding Champions to assist with support when lactation consultants are unavailable.

Our discharge process is streamlined and self-led so that you can leave the hospital at your convenience. The digital discharge app, YoMingo, provides discharge education, including information about your baby’s development and warning signs. Patients who have a vaginal birth are discharged around 24 hours postpartum and those who’ve undergone C-section birth are discharged around 48 hours (about 2 days) postpartum. To sign up for the program, visit YoMingo and follow the registration instructions. To ensure you’re taking home a healthy baby, all babies undergo evaluation from the pediatric team for jaundice, weight gain, proper feeding, toileting, and other essential health checks before being discharged home.

To help you prepare for your birth, The BirthPlace at Mary Immaculate offers several classes. These include Your Guide to Pregnancy, Third Trimester- What to Expect, Breastfeeding Basics, and Sibling Class.