Mother Baby Unit

The Mother Baby Unit is located on the fourth floor of the Family Birth Center facility. This is where you and your new family will spend the rest of your hospital stay with us.

Look for details of the floral theme on this floor. The children’s area and central rooms look into the outdoor view courtyard with a cascading waterfall. The other rooms feature fourth floor views of Salem, including the state capitol building and Willamette University.

Each of the 36 rooms has a private bathroom and shower, sleeper couch, rocker glider and crib for baby. Your main support person is welcome to stay the night with you. Pillow and blankets are in the lower drawers of the sleeper couch. We encourage you to rest and relax during your stay.

We provide a “rooming-in” environment for moms and babies. Research supports that mothers are able to rest and sleep better knowing their newborn is nearby.

For safety, we ask that babies be placed in the bassinet next to your bed when mom is ready to sleep. Having your baby in the room gives you the opportunity to become more comfortable and confident in your ability to care for your newborn.

We want you to learn how to care for yourself and your baby while we are caring for you. One nurse will be assigned to care for both mom and baby during the shift, usually for eight to 12 hours.

Your nurse  will introduce herself to you early in the shift and will check on you frequently. If you want to reach your nurse at any time, just push the call bell button at your bedside.

Call your nurse if you have any questions or  concerns such as:

• Changes in your baby’s behavior, color or breathing pattern
• Any feeding difficulties with your baby
• Any security concerns
• Increased vaginal bleeding or swelling

Your healthcare providers will make daily visits to  see you and your baby, usually in the morning between 7 a.m. and the time their office opens, or in the evening after office hours.

If you have specific questions, write them down so you remember to ask them. If they are needed at any other time, your nurse will call them.

Encourage your visitors to wash their hands before holding your baby. Visitors handling your baby need to be healthy. They may use the hand washing lotion located in each room as well as the sink with running water. Anyone with a cold or other illness is discouraged from visiting in the hospital.