Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
(from website)
2801 Atlantic Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90806
(562) 933-2000
www.memorialcare.org
BirthCare Center at Miller Children's & Women's Hospital Long Beach
Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach offers a variety of programs for women, expectant mothers, children and young adults under one roof. Our physicians are equipped to treat a full array of complex medical issues for patients at any stage of their development, from pregnancy through adolescence, all in one location. We welcome more than 6,000 babies in our BirthCare Center and care for more than 1,000 infants in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) each year.
Cherese Mari Laulhere Birthing Center
The Birthing Center is staffed 24/7 with in-house maternal-fetal specialists and nurse specialists. Twenty private labor and delivery suites are designed with mother and baby’s safety and well-being in mind. Each suite includes a state-of-the-art birthing bed, providing a woman with maximum comfort during delivery. The suites are roomy, allowing family members to visit and celebrate their new arrival in a private space. Midwives are welcome to the birthing suites. For the first hour after delivery, called “Baby Bonding Hour,” mother, baby and partner in care spend this initial bonding time uninterrupted.
Postpartum Unit
The BirthCare Center is committed to family centered care and creates an environment designed for mother and baby bonding in private and semi-private rooms. Every day, from 3 to 5 p.m., “Cuddle Time” is observed and gives mom, baby and partner in care a time to bond and relax. Certified lactation consultants are available 7 days a week to provide breastfeeding support.
Fetal Diagnostic Center
Should the need arise, the Fetal Diagnostic Center provides prenatal testing for high-risk pregnancies. Diagnostic care is performed by labor and delivery nurses and maternal-fetal specialists. Together, the care team can identify if a baby is in distress and how to monitor the mom’s progress. The Fetal Diagnostic Center provides:
Non-Stress Test
Contraction Stress
Amniotic Fluid Index
Biophysical Profile
Miller Children’s Transport Team
Miller Children’s has a dedicated high-risk pregnancy and neonatal transport team available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Skilled care teams help to safely transport moms and/or infants to the BirthCare Center or NICU at Miller Children’s.
Perinatal Special Care Unit
More than 2,000 women with high-risk pregnancies are treated in the Perinatal Special Care Unit (PSCU) each year. Spacious private rooms, equipped with the latest monitoring technology, are designed to provide a peaceful environment. The natural light-filled rooms are an important part of this unit since many women faced with highrisk pregnancy may stay here several days or weeks, and sometimes even months before birth. The PSCU provides specialized care for women who are experiencing complications during their pregnancy, including:
Pre-term labor
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (high blood pressure)
Bleeding
Rupture of membranes
Chronic hypertension
Diabetes
Asthma
Hyperemesis (vomiting)
Sickle cell crisis
Essentials Mother & Baby Store
The Essentials Mother & Baby Store has everything a mother and her baby need, including:
Peek-a-boo covers
Breast care supplies
Swaddle blankets
Swings
Feeding pillows
Breast pump rentals and sales
Nursing bras
Essentials also is available to provide certified bra fittings, and/or answer any questions a mother may have about her breast pump.
NICU
Miller Children’s features a regional level III (tertiary) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) under the same roof as the BirthCare Center.
Level III designation means the unit meets strict regulatory criteria to provide the necessary care for the most critically ill and premature babies. Our high-risk perinatal program is designed to ensure a safe delivery and smooth transition to the NICU. The NICU has 93 beds and 24 private NICU bays.
Neonatologists and an expert care team are available 24/7 to care for patients and their families. The NICU Family Center provides a place for families to unwind and connect with other families, and includes resources, a sibling area and work stations.
Parenting & Childbirth Classes
For more information or to register for our parenting classes, call 800-MEMORIAL or go to MillerChildrens.org/Events and then select “Childbirth & Parenting.”
Essentials Mother/Baby Store
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Second floor of the BirthCare Center
Essentials Mother/Baby Store carries everything moms and babies need to successfully begin the breastfeeding experience. From slings, pillows and pumps to specialty clothing, mothers and momsto-be can shop in comfort, assisted by trained staff. The store is conveniently located on the same floor as the newborn nursery and postpartum recovery rooms. We also have a registry so your family can shop for you. Items may be purchased by phone at (562) 933-2744.
Baby Care Basics Mondays 1/18, 2/15, 3/21, 4/18, 5/16 or 6/20, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. (Months 7 – 9 of pregnancy, first-time parents). This one-session class emphasizes practical, everyday skills, including how to baby-proof your home and purchase baby equipment, furniture, clothes and toys—all with a concern for safety. You’ll practice hands-on baby care, including diapering, bathing, holding and burping. Cost: $32 per couple or single.
Becoming a Parent Mondays, 1/25, 3/28 or 5/23, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. This is a one-session class to help prepare you and your partner for the first few weeks at home with your new baby. The class will include a discussion about your physical and emotional changes and how they may affect your relationship with your partner, as well as a detailed description of the characteristics of a new baby. Cost: $32 per couple or single.
Breastfeeding Basics Mondays, 1/4, 1/11, 2/1, 2/8, 3/7, 3/14, 4/4, 4/11, 5/2, 5/9, 6/6, 6/13, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. (For pregnant women months 7 – 9, first-time and experienced parents). In this two-session class, you will hear a strong case for the advantages of breastfeeding. A boardcertified lactation consultant will talk about preparation, success factors, feeding techniques, solutions to common breastfeeding problems and returning to work. Partners are encouraged to attend. Cost: $45 per couple or single.
Preparation for Childbirth Thursdays, 1/7, 1/14; 2/4, 2/11; 3/3, 3/10; 4/7, 4/14; 5/5, 5/12; 6/2, 6/9; 6:30 - 9 p.m. (For pregnant women months 8 – 9, for first-time parents). Our two-session class prepares expectant parents for labor and delivery. Topics include a description of the labor and birth process, hospital procedures, breathing and relaxation techniques, the coach’s role, pain management options, Cesarean birth and the postpartum period. Cost: $90 per couple or single. Call 800-MEMORIAL.
Preparation for Childbirth: Super Saturday Saturdays, 1/9, 2/13, 3/12, 4/9, 5/14 or 6/11, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. This is a quick-paced, one-day class for couples unable to schedule two evenings. This class will cover the same topics as the two-session Preparation for Childbirth series. Cost: $107 per couple or single. Call 800-MEMORIAL.
Get Ready Packages This package condenses the following classes into one accelerated course: Preparation for Childbirth, Breastfeeding Basics, Becoming a Parent and Baby Care Basics. The weekday Get Ready Package is $180 for Thursday night, or the weekend Get Ready Package is $195 for Super Saturday. If you sign up for multiple classes you can get a reduced rate. Call 800-MEMORIAL for dates and times.
Maternity Orientation
Wednesdays, 1/6, 2/3, 3/2, 4/6, 6/1, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
This is your opportunity to hear about our nationally recognized maternity and pediatric care available for you and your baby. Via a virtual tour and presentation, participants will learn where to go on the day of delivery as well as what to expect when they are admitted. You also will learn about our philosophy of care and why meeting the needs of you and your new baby in a safe, quiet and caring environment is so important to us. Parents have the opportunity to ask questions, and enjoy refreshments and door prizes. Call 800-MEMORIAL to register. Cost: Free.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Adopt-a-Family
The holidays are meant to bring wonder and hope to children and families. About 20 years ago,
Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center created the “Adopt-a-Family” program to help bring joy and merriment to families of children recently diagnosed with cancer or serious blood disease.
“Adopt-a-Family” is now an annual program that encourages people to participate by helping out by taking on the following: “Adopt” a family, donate cash, donate gift certificates, and provide gifts for children and teenagers. Those interested in participating can leave donations at the Jonathan Jaques office located at 701 E. 28th Street, Suite 202, Long Beach, CA (in the office building located on Atlantic Ave., directly across from Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach). Donations can be made until Friday,
December 14
