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Bringing Your Baby Home

Maternity Unit
725 Welch Road
1st and 2nd Floors
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 497-8000The information below will help you prepare to leave the Maternity Unit and take your new baby home. You will also receive this information in a discharge packet when you arrive on our unit.

Discharge Information

Most new mothers are usually discharged:

48 hours after a vaginal delivery
96 hours after a Cesarean section

Discharge time is 11 am.

The items below need to be completed before discharge:

Items for You to Complete
Please be sure to complete these items as early as possible. This will help us to discharge you on time.

Items for Maternity Unit Staff to Complete
Our staff will complete these items at various times throughout your hospital stay.

Arrange for a ride home
Get your baby a car seat for the ride home, and know how to properly install and use it. If possible, please try to complete this before you arrive at the hospital to have your baby.
Sign your baby’s birth certificate

Complete your baby’s hearing screening
Complete your baby’s California Newborn Screening
Give your baby the hepatitis B vaccine, if you have given consent
Measure the amount of bilirubin in your baby’s blood. High amounts of bilirubin can cause jaundice, liver and brain damage.
Order prescriptions, if necessary
Schedule follow-up appointments
Gather information for the birth certificate and paternity papers (if needed)
Remove your baby’s identification bands and infant security tag
Complete discharge education. We will make sure you know how to take care of yourself and your baby at home, and who to contact with questions

A staff member discusses hospital discharge with a family.

Please let your nurse know when you are ready to leave. A member of our staff must escort you to the hospital exit.

<< Newborn Hearing Screening Program

Maternity Unit Overview >>