Postpartum care
After your baby is born, recovering and bonding with your new child is of the utmost importance. Our commitment is to put you and your baby first while providing care for all your post-pregnancy needs.
Postpartum support in Margate, Florida
Recovering and bonding after birth is an essential time for you and your baby.
That's why the postpartum care team at HCA Florida Northwest Hospital is committed to focusing on your physical and emotional needs after childbirth. We do this by providing quality, compassionate care and support throughout your hospital stay and even after transition home.
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Our postpartum care services
After labor and delivery, we focus on helping you recover from childbirth and learn to care for your new baby.
You will have access to valuable information resources, including an experienced team of board-certified doctors and skilled nurses and a bedside information packet. Our goal is to provide you with everything you need to know about newborn care and recovering from childbirth, so you feel confident when you take your baby home.
During your stay, we also offer:
- Assistance with the birth certificate process
- Education on feeding, diapering and bathing your baby
- Support for skin-to-skin care
Additionally, our hospital is certified by The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program, which recognizes our commitment to safe sleep best practices for infants.
Breastfeeding support
We provide certified lactation consultants to offer you help with breastfeeding, if you wish. Should you choose to breastfeed your baby, our board-certified lactation consultants (who are also registered nurses) are available daily to provide one-on-one instruction, encouragement and support to help ensure a successful breastfeeding experience.
In-house OB/GYN
We have an in-house OB/GYN, which allows us to provide an additional layer of care to our maternity patients. If your doctor is unavailable, our OB/GYN and support team will work with them to bridge the gap until they can arrive.
This ensures you receive high quality obstetric care throughout your entire stay.
Neonatal intensive care
If your baby needs additional care or support after birth, we have a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In fact, our hospital is home to the only Level III NICU in northern Broward County.
Here, we offer a dedicated neonatal team of neonatologists and specially trained neonatal nurses available 24 hours a day.
Postpartum support amenities
We offer several amenities to enhance your experience during this special time:
- A celebratory dinner for new parents
- Digital bedside charting, which allows for close monitoring throughout your stay
- Newborn photographer
- Oversized suites
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- 55-inch smart TV in every room
Postpartum support groups and resources
We offer continued assistance following your discharge. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, classes may be offered in virtual formats, and availability may vary. Your nurse can provide a list of support groups and telephone numbers to fit your individual needs.
Postpartum depression support
Pregnancy and birth are wondrous and life-changing experiences. As such, many women experience the "baby blues" after birth, which may be described as feelings of sadness and fatigue. However, if these feelings last for more than a short time, it could be postpartum depression.
If you feel you may have postpartum depression, you're not alone. Postpartum depression is common. In fact, about one in eight women report having postpartum depression symptoms.
We recommend talking with your OB/GYN or nurse if you experience postpartum depression symptoms, as they can help you get the support and resources you need to feel better. Seeking help is the first step to feeling like yourself again.
Taking your baby home from the hospital
Your nurse will provide specific instructions regarding your and your baby's care before you are discharged. In addition, here are some important things to know:
- A representative from the Medical Records Department will visit you after your delivery to help with the birth certificate process. (Birth certificates are available through the health department.)
- A request for a Social Security card will be submitted for you to the state.
- Before you are sent home, you will be asked to provide the name of your pediatrician. We will notify them as soon as your baby is born. If you need help selecting a pediatrician, please let us know, and we will be happy to provide you with a physician referral.
- We have a dedicated pediatric emergency room (ER) at our hospital. Here, we are equipped to provide high-quality care for your child, when they need it most.
Per Florida law, you will need to provide an infant car seat for your baby’s ride home. Please familiarize yourself with this equipment and have it inside your vehicle prior to discharge.
Breastfeeding basics at Northwest Hospital
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