Birthing Center FAQ

Yes. We have recently added an in-person Breastfeeding: A Great Start class, along with our online Emmi prenatal educational self-learning classes you can do from home.

We have seven spacious birthing rooms—all of them are private. Once you’ve recovered, you’ll move into a mother/baby suite. Eleven of these suites are private and five are semi-private. Here, you’ll be allowed to spend as much time bonding with your baby and also resting. After all, once you’re home, you’ll be on-duty full time.

If you’re not have a cesarean birth (c-section), anyone—as long as it’s okay with your physician.

During times when we need to examine you, your family and friends may be asked to leave the room. In which case, they’ll move into a waiting room. Please tell your visitors not to wait in the hall, as we have to keep them clear.

If you’re having a c-section, we ask that one person be in the operating room.

Following birth, we want to be extra careful to protect your baby from any infections, so our visiting policy then gets a little more restrictive. Only significant others, grandparents and siblings will be able to visit while the baby is in the room.

We do. If you choose to have one, your physician’s office will show you a video explaining the process. We take anesthesia safety very seriously and we want you to be informed.

SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale was the first hospital outside of Chicago to be designated as a Level II Plus Special Care Nursery, which means we can take care of babies as early as 30 weeks gestation. The nursery is staffed by three full-time board-certified neonatologists, two neonatal nurse practitioners and a team of compassionate nurses to help you through what can be a trying time.

You’ll receive a SIH Birthing Center binder of information when you first visit your physician. This includes a registration form. Simply fill it out and bring it to SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale registration sometime around your sixth month of pregnancy.

The SIH Birthing Center strongly encourages breastfeeding exclusively. Breastfeeding helps your baby’s transition to the outside world and reinforces the bond between the two of you. The first hour after your baby is born is commonly known as the Golden Hour. It’s the very first time Mommy, Daddy, and Baby spend together as a family.

Upon delivery, your baby will immediately be placed on your chest for skin-to-skin contact. This contact will help with the baby’s body temperature, hearth rhythm and breathing. It’s also a wonderful time for bonding and introductions.

We want you, as much as possible, to have quiet and peaceful moments to bond with your new baby. After this time alone, we welcome you to invite family and friends to meet your beautiful, new bundle of joy!

Lactation Specialists are available to help your experience. Choosing to breastfeed can be one of the most important decisions you make to protect your baby’s health and well-being. If you are unable or choose not to breastfeed, though, our staff can discuss other options for feeing with you.

A car seat is something you’ll need to have in order to take the baby home. It’s required by law. Unfortunately, we don’t provide car seats.