BHS Maternity Center
A Head Start in Caring For Your Newborn
Our expert team of doctors, certified nurse midwives and registered nurses
will work with you to create the birth experience you want along with
best clinical practices and current research. We hope you choose Butler
for your very special delivery!
To arrange a tour of the OB department at Butler Memorial Hospital, please
call 724-284-4334.
For information of the Women’s Health and Birthing Center at Clarion
Hospital,
click here.
To arrange a tour of the Women’s Health & Birth Center at Clarion
Hospital, please call 814-226-3405.
Services for New Parents
Long known for a commitment to high standards and quality, BMH's comprehensive
maternity program features:
Baby Safe Haven Law
It’s difficult to plan for a baby. Sometimes circumstances beyond
our control make it impossible take care of a newborn. Thankfully, there
are options. Through the Safe Haven program, parents who feel they cannot
take care of their infant may take it to a Safe Haven facility. This is
a legal, discrete way to relinquish care of your child to a safe organization
and give it a brighter future. The employees at these facilities understand
the difficult decision you have to make, and assist you without any judgement
or chastising.
Breastfeeding / Lactation Services
There are many reasons to breastfeed. Remember that feeding your baby is a
learned skill. It happens easily for some women, but others it can be frustrating
and uncomfortable. We are here to help!

Couplet Care
The staff at Butler is privileged to share in one of the happiest moments
of your lifetime. We focus on your family and provide a mother/baby couplet
care model, which the mother and baby remain together for the hospital
stay. We understand some mothers prefer to get some much needed sleep
at night and therefore support any mother that requests to send her newborn
to the nursery at night. The nursing staff will review the newborn care
and self - care for the mother during your stay. We want you to be comfortable
and confident in caring for your newborn.
Helpful Hints for your Birthing Suite Stay
Here are some Helpful Hints for your birthing suite stay at Butler Memorial
Hospital.
View Helpful Hints.
Hospital Amenities
At Butler Memorial Hospital we offer numerous amenities for our patients
and their visitors to utilize including Austin's Play Room, Cummings Coffee,
free Wi-Fi and more! Visit our
Patients & Visitors page for a full list of amenities.
Hug Me from the Start - Skin to Skin
Skin to skin, also referred to as "The Magical Hour", is a way of holding
a newborn directly on mom's chest immediately after birth. The first few
minutes after birth are a magical time for bonding with baby. Research
has shown that what happens during the first 60 minutes of a baby’s
life can maximize the bonding between mother and child. That uninterrupted
contact between mother and baby during the “magical hour”
is critical to the child’s growth and development.
Learn more.
Safe Sleep
Despite sleeping 16 hours out of the day, it’s highly unlikely your
newborn will have the same circadian rhythm you do. Infants have no concept
of night and day. They fall asleep and wakeup whenever their body demands.
You can help the child understand that night is for sleeping by limiting
stimulating action with them in the dark and creating a bedtime routine
that signals time for sleep. For the baby’s safety, always place
them on their back to sleep. Be vigilant if they need feeding or changing,
as these needs should be addressed.
Learn more.
Postpartum Adjustment
The birth of a baby is an exciting time for new parents. However, new mothers
often go through periods of both physical and emotional change. Even though
you have prepared for your baby’s arrival, caring for an infant
can be hard work. Many women experience some unexpected “highs”
and “lows.” New mothers are surprised at the energy it takes
to care for their new baby and many may begin to feel anxious, frustrated,
uncertain or overwhelmed. During this adjustment, support from family
and friends can be very helpful.
Click here to view the Postpartum Adjustment brochure.
Postpartum Suites
Following delivery, your birth partner is able to stay in the same room
with you during your stay. The birth partner will also be provided their own bed.
Prenatal Education
BHS offers a variety of classes for expecting parents, new parents and
even grandparents. We know that expecting a child can be a wonderful time
for any family and we want to help you be prepared. Click
here to download the Prenatal Education brochure.
Click
here to view our events calendar.
Safe & Secure Environment
Rest assured, we have a security system and policies in place to keep you
and your baby safe. Your baby will only receive care by individuals wearing
special identification. We will review these practices after your delivery.
Shaken Baby
Babies are challenging, particularly colicky babies, and even caring parents
can lose their cool sometimes. In fits of frustration, some parents have
unwittingly shaken their baby and severely injured them. Never forget
that it is unsafe to shake a baby. An infant’s head is much bigger
than their neck, and the muscles are weak, making it easy to create a
whiplash effect. Shaken baby syndrome could cause brain damage, blindness,
or even death. If you have a baby with colic, of find yourself getting
frustrated, give yourself a break. Try counting to 10 or calling a friend-whatever
it takes to stay calm.
Learn more.
SIDS Prevention
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is an unexpected, and so far unexplained,
death of a child aged under 1 year. Thankfully, there are many ways to
reduce the risk of this tragedy. You may have heard that putting an infant
to sleep on their stomach is the safest way for them to rest, but there
is no evidence to support this claim. Studies have shown infants sleeping
on their stomach have a higher chance of suffering SIDS than babies who
sleep on their backs. Breastfeeding is shown to reduce risks, as is keeping
up with the child’s shots and immunization. Do not use anything
that claims to reduce SIDS unless a doctor explicitly recommends it. Most
importantly, make sure whoever cares for your baby knows to have them
sleep on their back and knows the emergency contact information.
Learn more.
Visitor Policies
During labor you may have up to
two visitors. When it's time to deliver, your two designated visitors will
remain in the room with you. The rest of your visitors can wait in a nearby
waiting room.
After delivery to protect all babies, anyone who is not feeling well is not
permitted to visit. All visitors must wash their hands before touching
your baby. Only siblings of the newbors are permitted to visit. Children
under the age of 12 are not permitted to visit (siblings only).
Wellbe - Online Education
Your care team will develop the online program to provide you with the
necessary information you need to know for your delivery at Butler Memorial
Hospital. At
28 weeks, your care team will enroll you, or call us and we will help you get started.
Learn More.
24-hour Epidural Coverage
An anesthesiologist is always on duty to provide an epidural to wase your
labor pains.
24/7 Pediatric Hospitalist
Hospitalists are American Board of Pediatrics Certified physicians who
specialize in caring for hospitalized pediatric and nursery patients.
Learn more.
These are just a few of the ways at Butler Health System that we strive
to make the childbirth experience the best that it can be.
Radio Show
For a preview of our Maternity Center, please watch this video guide.
Time for your annual gynecology check-up or mammogram screening? Click
here to visit our OB/GYN page.