Maternity Care
Having a baby is one of the most exciting and rewarding times in a woman's life, and Merit Health Biloxi is dedicated to providing expectant mothers and newborns with the finest care during this special time. Our maternity services are provided by obstetricians, labor and delivery specialists, nurses and other caring professionals in a welcoming, comfortable environment.
You'll find care ranging from prenatal to post-partum care, including high-risk pregnancy care and advanced labor and delivery services. Our care extends beyond delivery, with a range of educational resources for new parents.
Prenatal Care
Merit Health Biloxi's care begins in the earliest stages of pregnancy, with prenatal checkups and services tailored to your specific needs. You'll learn about proper nutrition and work with your obstetrician to develop a birth plan, choose a pediatrician and get properly prepared.
Labor and Delivery
The delivery rooms provide everything doctors, nurses and other maternal specialists need to provide you with excellent care. Experienced labor and delivery staff utilize advanced medical technology and manage C-section (cesarean) births and other surgical procedures.
Rooming-in
Here at Merit Health Biloxi we encourage rooming-in – that means you can have your baby with you at all times. Rooming-in allows you to strengthen the bond with your baby right after the birth and to establish a strong emotional attachment. You can hold, stroke, cuddle and breastfeed your baby whenever you want.
The Golden Hour
The “Golden Hour” is the first hour of a baby’s life. During this time, skin-to-skin contact is initiated, which can enhance the bonding experience for parents and their newborn right after birth. During the Golden Hour, we ask that all visitors remain in the waiting area. A staff member will let you know when visitors are allowed in the room.
Breastfeeding Support
Caring maternity nursing staff members are available to provide breastfeeding assistance and education, and classes for new mothers are available.
Maternity Tours
You are invited to tour the unit to familiarize yourself with the hospital setting. This is set up at a convenient time to you during your pregnancy. Please call (228) 436-1381 for more information or to set up a time.
Support Services and Education
Merit Health Biloxi offers a variety of classes to prepare mothers and families before the birth of a child. These free childbirth classes can help put expectant parents at ease by minimizing their fears and boosting their confidence. All classes are held in the Nancy Harville Room in the back of the Merit Health Biloxi cafeteria. Please ask for directions at the front desk when you enter the main doors of the hospital. Tickets from Eventbrite are not necessary to attend this class, but registration is encouraged. Light snacks and drinks will be served. For any questions or concerns and to register for this class, please call (228) 436-1230. Classes include:
Labor & Delivery
Topics include basic female anatomy and terminology, nutrition, common discomforts of pregnancy, prelude to labor, relaxation techniques for labor and delivery, stages of labor, pushing and the birth process.
Caring For Baby & Myself
Having a new baby to care for can be overwhelming. Learn how to soothe, swaddle, bathe and provide basic care for your newborn in this class. The instructor will also discuss the changes that take place with your body, how to care for yourself, depending on the type of delivery you have, and some exercises to help get you back into shape.
Breastfeeding
This one-time session of instruction is available from the professional staff of the facility. You will learn about the anatomy and physiology of the breast, benefits of breastfeeding, positioning and latch techniques, how to know if things are going well and where to find help when you need it.
Baby-Friendly Hospital
Merit Health Biloxi has been designated by Baby-Friendly® USA (BFUSA) as a baby-friendly hospital. This initiative insures mothers receive information that helps them make the best decision for infant feeding and supports them in achieving personal feeding goals. Focus is placed on mother-baby bonding through skin-to-skin contact, rooming in and providing instructions to help mothers recognize early feeding cues for their baby.
Merit Health Biloxi follows these ten steps to successful breastfeeding to show their commitment to educating and promoting breastfeeding and mother-baby bonding.
- Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
- Train all health care staff in the skills necessary to implement this policy.
- Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
- Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
- Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants.
- Give infants no food or drink other than breast-milk, unless medically indicated.
- Practice rooming in – allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day.
- Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
- Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants.
- Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or birth center.