Women's & Infant Care Center (OB)

The Women's and Infant’s Care Center at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital is devoted to the women and infants in our community. We do not just assist families in growing. Our staff is here to assist women through all phases of life from infants to the golden years.

We have two OB-GYN physicians, Dr. James Walker, M.D., and Dr. Catherine Harrington, M.D., both of which have offices located within the D.W. McMillan Medical Center. They specialize in General Obstetrics and Gynecology Services, as well as, High-Risk Pregnancy, Infertility, Urogynecology, Gynecologic Cancer Screening and Treatment, Pelvic Pain, Menopause, Women’s Mental Health Needs, and Women’s Wellness and Exercise.

We can assure you that you will not find a more friendly, caring and devoted group of professionals than the ones at D.W. McMillan. We are a small community hospital that strives to make sure each experience is a great one. Our physicians, nurses and staff, all work together to provide a safe, efficient, and individualized care experience with some of the best southern hospitality. Many of our nurses in the Women's and Infant’s Care Center have worked here for many years, not only proving we are experienced, but that we are passionate about our patients and the care we provide to our community.

We believe that knowledge and support from our staff are key components to having a better patient outcome and the ability to establish a trusting relationship with our patients. Our patients and their families are the focus of everything we do. We strive to make each experience here a memorable one.

Contact:

Jessica Sutton, RN O.B. Manager
1301 Belleville Ave. Brewton, AL 36426
(251) 809-8388 Office
(251) 809-8425 Fax
Email

Visiting Hours:
Due to the nature of our unit, we ask that you refrain from any visitor coming that has felt unwell in the past 24 hours. Newborns do not have an established immune system and some sicknesses can be detrimental to their health.
• Triage: Visitors are limited to one person per patient
• Labor and Delivery: Two visitors may be present in the room at one time. We have a Waiting Area where visitors can stay and switch out with someone.
• Post-Surgical and Post-Partum: A patient can have up to four visitors in a room at one time, except after 9p.m.
• At 9p.m. there can only be two visitors in a room at one time.
• Siblings: under the age of 12 are allowed between the hours of 9 am – 12 pm and 4 pm - 9p.m. and any time during the weekend, except during our “Quite Time.”

Quite Time:
Quiet time is every day from 2p.m. until 4p.m. During this time, no visitors will be allowed on the hall. This is time is crucial to promote parental bonding with the newborn and allow adequate time to rest as a family.

Gynecologic Surgery:

What to bring:
• Photo Identification
• Health Insurance Card/Information
• Copy of Advance Directive, Durable Power of Attorney, and Living Will Documents
• List of medications with doses and frequency
• List of Doctors and next of kin with phone numbers
• Personal items (clothes to go home in, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrush)
• Eyeglasses, hearing aids, or dentures if applicable
• Cane or walker if applicable
• Medical equipment you use on a daily basis
Please remember to properly label all of your belongings before arrival to hospital to prevent item(s) from being lost.

Preparing for Childbirth:
We know that the unexpected occurs, but we try to help with the process. We recommend that you have your bag and the baby’s bag ready to go weeks before your actual due-date.

Women’s and Infant’s:
• Driver’s License (Father of baby will need Photo id for signing the birth certificate)
• Health Insurance Card
• Rear-Facing Infant Car seat
• Birth Plan, if applicable
• A list of home medications
• Phone and Camera chargers
• Toiletries for mom and support person (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo)
• Supportive bra and breast pads
• Going home clothes for mother and newborn

Personal items mother will need:
• Appropriate bedtime attire for support person
• Pacifier unless breastfeeding (we do not recommend using pacifiers the first few weeks if breastfeeding is an option)

We do provide the following:
• Baby gowns
• Baby diapers and Wipes
• Patient gowns for mother
• Sanitary pads for mother
• Non-skid socks for mother

Preparing to go home:
• Please make sure you have all of your belongings with you. Chargers and toiletries are the items that are most left by patients and family members.
• Both discharge dates and times vary depending on complications.
• Discharge education handouts, medications sent home, a guide for when to call the doctor, instructions for follow-up visits with physician and other helpful information will be discussed and all questions will be addressed at this time.
• It is not the nurse’s job to ensure the infant is secured in car seat or that the car seat is secured in the vehicle. This may be done as a courtesy but the hospital staff will not be held liable.
• Do not forget the crib card, bulb suction syringe for newborn, newborn bracelets, and door hanger (if you brought one).

Gynecologic Surgery:
• Your length of stay depends on the type of surgery you receive and it should be discussed with your physician before the date of the surgery.

Women’s and Infant’s:
• Vaginal Delivery: typical length of stay is 48 hours
• Cesarean Delivery: typical length of stay is 72 hours


Once you are discharged:
Things to remember:
• Re-read your discharge paperwork
• Be sure to keep your follow-up appointment with your physician
• Know when to call your physician
• Fill your prescriptions and take medications as directed
• When in doubt, call and ask the question

Newborn Health Screenings
In the state of Alabama Newborn Screenings are required by law. The purpose of this program is to determine if a child has certain genetic disorders at an early age. This program establishes a well-defined protocol to ensure early identification and follow-up of infants affected with certain genetic or metabolic conditions. Early diagnosis helps reduce the detrimental effects of not having early treatment for a disease process. This program is used as a tool to ensure babies follow-up with their provider to ensure the appropriate treatment is done. Every newborn should be screened before being discharged from the hospital.

Blood Test:
PKU: This portion of the newborn screen is a blood test that tests for over forty disorders including some secondary conditions. It is a heel stick that requires five evenly distributed drops of blood on the specimen then it is sent off to a laboratory.

Bilirubin Level:
An increased Bilirubin level is indicative that the newborn is unable to breakdown and eliminate the red blood cells in his or her body appropriately, which, in turn, causes the newborn to turn yellow. Increased Bilirubin level causes the newborn to turn yellow (or jaundice). This is a heel stick that will indicate the level of bilirubin in the newborn’s body.

Hearing Screening:
With Newborn Hearing Loss being the most commonly occurring birth disorder, the Alabama Department of Health has mandated that all newborns be screened before being discharged from the hospital to ensure the appropriate medical treatment is followed. The goal of this service is to ensure that early identification, treatment and intervention is done.

Protecting your Newborn:
Vitamin K Injection:
Is given to all newborns within one hour of birth. This injection’s purpose is to protect your newborn from having bleeding problems.

Newborn Eye Care:
This is an ointment that is put on your newborn’s eyes once the newborn is in the nursery. This ointment helps prevent your baby from eye infections from the bacteria he or she may encounter during the delivery process.

Hepatitis B Injection:
Typically, is given a birth, one to two months of age and 6 to 18 months of age. It is recommended that each newborn receives their first injection within 24 hours of birth.