Your Guide To Pregnancy & Birth
At McLaren Port Huron you are part of a special tradition of family-centered maternity care that has been trusted for generations. From prenatal classes to the time you and your baby return home, skilled OB-GYNs, pediatricians and staff at the Miriam F. Acheson Family Birth Place strive to provide a safe and comfortable environment, ensuring a first-class experience for you and your family.
Your Stay at Miriam F. Acheson Family Birth Place at McLaren Port Huron
Our labor and delivery suites are located on the fourth floor of the North Tower. The secure unit features 18 state-of-the-art labor and delivery rooms, along with four OB triage rooms and two fully equipped operating rooms.
Your accommodations
Enjoy the comfort and privacy of a special LDRP maternity suite. Short for labor, delivery, recovery, post-partum, our 18 LDRP suites offer both comfort and privacy. With the exception of cesarean deliveries, your entire stay will take place in one room with a home-like setting. Registered nurses care for you during your entire stay so you can relax in comfort knowing you’re in good hands.
Additional features of the birthing suites include:
- Spacious rooms
- Free Wi-Fi
- Ambient lighting for increased comfort measures
- Comfortable, adjustable birthing bed
- Portable and waterproof fetal monitoring, allowing moms to move freely during labor and for ease of monitoring
- Access to birthing balls, including peanut balls and CUB support to aid in the labor process
- Rocker, recliner, and a couch that converts into a bed for the support person’s overnight stay
- Immediate skin-to-skin contact for bonding
- 24/7 anesthesia coverage
- Vein illumination technology to help with difficult IV placement
- Level 1 nursery
- Height-adjustable rolling bassinet
- Blanket warmer for mom and baby
- Wall-mounted hair dryer
- Large shower stall with a waterfall shower and shower massage that can be handheld or left mounted on the wall designed to help mom relax
Miriam F. Acheson Family Birth Place Virtual Tour
Designated Obstetric OR
Cesarean births are performed on the maternity floor. Two fully-equipped operating rooms are located within the Miriam F. Acheson Family Birth Place unit to accommodate scheduled or emergency cesarean births. The baby’s father or designated support person is permitted to be with you during your baby’s birth.
Security and Safety
We believe in family-centered care and in providing a safe and secure environment for you and your newborn.
The Miriam F. Acheson Family Birth Place is a secured unit. Mom’s first and last name must be provided to enter the unit.
Quiet time is observed between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. to promote rest, healing and bonding.
We understand it is an exciting time for the expecting parents as well as everyone who knows the family. In order to keep our patients and babies safe, please refer to the most current visitor guidelines here:
Family and friends are welcome to provide emotional support to you (the patient) unless their presence infringes on other patients’ rights, compromises safety and/or is medically or therapeutically contraindicated. Such times include:
- During epidural procedures
- During labor and delivery
- During the first hour of recovery after birth
Family and friends should not visit when respiratory viruses are common in the community.
Pictures, Videotaping or Live-Streaming
Many families take pictures and videos at the delivery, but please discuss any detailed plans with your obstetrician and labor and delivery nurse upon arrival.
- Photographs are permitted.
- Videotaping of the birth is not permitted.
- Live streaming is NOT permitted.
- No photographs of staff should be taken without permission.
- You may be asked to stop videotaping or taking photographs if the patient’s condition changes.
Packing Your Suitcase (can this be a link to a separate page, or would it be better to list on this page?)
As your delivery date approaches, a list of things to pack to bring with you to the hospital may be helpful. Here are a few lists to consider:
For Labor
- Photo identification
- Insurance card and/or prenatal record (if your physician provides one)
- Eyeglasses or contacts (you may want to leave contact lenses at home, or bring an extra pair and their care supplies)
- Your birth plan or guide (if you have one)
- Cell phone with chargers
- Any comfort items you may want to bring:
- Pillows
- Music player
- Electric tea candles
- Something to read or watch before labor begins (remember to bring chargers)
- Aromatherapy aids
- Chapstick and lotions
- Hair ties
- Socks (two pairs that can be thrown away if needed)
For Your Partner/Labor Coach During Labor
- Camera with batteries, charger and memory card
- Toiletries
- Comfortable shoes and clothing
- Something to read and watch
- Snacks
- Money/credit card for food
- Change for vending machines
After Delivery
- Loose, comfortable night gown
- Toiletries
- Nursing bras
- Maternity underwear (make sure you are stocked at home with heavy flow sanitary pads)
- Stretch panties and pads are provided in the hospital
- Comfortable clothing for going home, comfortable shoes (not pre-pregnancy clothing)
- Robe if desired
For Your Baby
- Car seat, with base installed in car
- Going home outfit
- Blankets
- Hats
- Breastfeeding support pillows
What Not to Bring
- Jewelry
- Large amounts of cash
- Other valuables
- Medications (unless instructed by provider)
- Diapers
Why Wait for Labor to Begin Naturally
The last weeks of pregnancy can be emotional and difficult. Your body and your baby are preparing for birth. You may experience discomfort. Talk with your doctor or nurse about measures you can take at home to make this period more comfortable for you.
Waiting for labor to begin naturally can have these benefits:
MOM
- Shortened labor
- More success with breastfeeding
- Less bleeding after birth
- Shortened recovery time
BABY
- More awake/alert at birth
- Regulates body temperature
- Lungs and brain are fully developed
- Muscles are stronger
Our goal is a healthy and safe delivery for both you and your baby.
Breastfeeding
At McLaren Port Huron, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant meets with most mothers and babies during their stay. Our LC provides bedside education, latch assessment and support to help mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals. For any problems, concerns or additional support needed after discharge, patients have access to the Breastfeeding Line. Outpatient consults may be scheduled by appointment and it is not necessary to have delivered at McLaren Port Huron. Some common problems are having a premature infant, breast pump information, low milk supply, low infant weight gain, sore nipples and developing a plan for going back to work.
If you are running a fever and have a red, painful area in your breast, call your physician right away. If your baby is sleepy, not waking up for feedings or showing signs of infection, call your baby’s doctor right away.
If you are ever in doubt about your baby not getting enough to eat directly from the breast, please supplement your baby with your breast milk and/or formula and call your doctor and lactation consultant for help.
McLaren Port Huron Breastfeeding Line – (810) 989-3432
Pumps and supplies:
- Hart Medical Equipment
2001 Holland Ave., Suite A
(Mary Maxim building)
Port Huron, MI 48060
(810) 982-0700
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
- McLaren Pharmacy – Port Huron
1221 Pine Grove Ave.
Port Huron, MI 48060
(810) 989-3455
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Additional Resources:
Honor Your Newborn with Precious Gifts
Parents of babies honored in the McLaren Port Huron Foundation’s Precious Gifts program will receive a card and keepsake with the baby’s name and birthdate. The baby’s name and birthdates will also be permanently recognized in the Precious Gifts mural located in the Miriam F. Acheson Family Birth Place.
To make your Precious Gifts donation and celebrate the new child in your life, click here to donate. You can also mail your contribution to McLaren Port Huron Foundation, 1201 Stone Street, Suite 11, Port Huron, MI 48060, or call the Foundation at (810) 989-3776.
Childbirth Education
McLaren Port Huron offers both on-site and online childbirth education classes.
Register for on-site Classes
You’ve counted on McLaren Port Huron for over 130 years to answer your questions and to be there when you need us. Childbirth education classes are taught by experienced registered nurses. The calendar on our website gives the dates, times and other pertinent information about our classes. For more information or to register for a class, email HealthAccess or call 1(800) 228-1484.
Our classes include:
- Breastfeeding 101
This class teaches the basics for becoming a breastfeeding mom. Learn how to establish your milk supply, determine if your baby is getting fed enough, pumping, and preparing to go back to work. Cost: $30
- Comfort and Relaxation During the Birthing Process
A two-hour class that focuses on personal pain management. Participants will learn a wide variety of labor management options, including basic breathing techniques, positioning, and using a labor ball. Please bring a pillow to class. Cost: Free
- Saturday Express
One all-day class that provides condensed information regarding general childbirth preparation, including an overview of the birthing process, labor preparation, birth videos, cesarean birth, medical pain management, and limited basic relaxation and breathing techniques. This class includes a tour of the Miriam F. Acheson Family Birth Place. Cost: $40/couple
- Online Childbirth Education
Our online childbirth education class, provided by InJoy, is ideal for expecting parents who prefer an online learning style or who are unable to attend an onsite class due to work schedules, time constraints, or medical conditions. This user-friendly program guides you through at your own pace, covering all the essential information parents need to know to prepare for birth. Cost: $40