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Preparing for the Hospital

If you are planning to have your baby at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo or Sisters of Charity Hospital, please see the instructions below to prepare for your baby’s birth.

Hospital Tours

Our maternity tours last about an hour and can decrease birth anxiety by allowing you to see where you will go in labor.  

We will walk through our labor and delivery unit, where you can see the delivery rooms, and go through what to expect during your delivery with us. We will discuss safety measures for labor and for after the baby is born. We will also look at things that parents can do to help their baby ensure a smooth transition to outside life. We will see the nursery and the postpartum rooms, talk about rooming-in and other things to expect after the birth. 

Feel free to bring lots of questions and a partner or friend.  (No children on group tours please, and if you are in a childbirth class, a tour will be included as part of your class.)  

To sign up for a hospital tour please call HealthConnection at 716-923-7152

Childbirth Classes

Childbirth classes prepare expectant parents for childbirth and for caring for their newborn. 

Before you'll leave the hospital, you'll want to make sure that your car seat is installed properly. Take our car seat safety class and get a one-on-one car seat fitting in your vehicle with a certified Child Passenger Safety technician. 

Learn more about our childbirth classes.

Pre-Admission

While not required, pre-registering for the birth of your baby is recommended. 

(Pre-registration is not available at Mount St. Mary's Hospital).

Pre-registrations are accepted two months before the scheduled delivery date. We suggest that you pre-register at least 6 weeks prior to your due date.

Click here to download a pre-admission form.

Mail your form to the hospital where you plan to deliver:

Mercy Hospital of Buffalo
ATTN: Admissions Department
565 Abbott Rd.
Buffalo, NY 14220

Sisters of Charity Hospital
ATTN: Admissions Department
2157 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214

What to Pack

You may wish to bring the following items to the hospital:

Birth Plan

A birth plan outlines your preferences for labor and can include how you would like to manage labor pain and the positions that you’d like to use.

Your birth plan should be reviewed by your provider prior to delivery. This will allow him or her to make suggestions and become familiar with your preferences in advance.

If you have a birth plan, please bring several copies for the staff.

Personal Hygiene Items

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Hair dryer (for moms delivering at Sisters Hospital)
  • Hair brush and comb
  • Hair spray
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Moisturizer
  • Makeup

Clothing

  • A hospital gown or birthing clothing, if you would like to bring your own. Please note that while we do permit patients to wear their own clothing (i.e. skirts, nightgowns or dresses), we prefer that you wear a hospital gown, as they are fashioned with snaps at the sleeves for easy maneuvering around IV's. Also, because birth is a messy process, clothing worn during labor is unlikely to be worn again.
  • Pajamas, bathrobe and slippers
  • Underwear suitable for wearing with maxi-pads
  • A nursing bra, if breastfeeding
  • An outfit for mom to wear home
  • Baby clothes and blankets for baby's trip home

Food

Snacks for your birthing coach

Camera

Your birthing coach may wish to bring a camera to make memories of your special event. Click here for our photo policy.

Cell Phone or Laptops

Free wi-fi is available throughout the hospital. If you are bringing a cell phone or laptop, please ensure that these items will be attended at all times.

What Not to Pack

Please do not bring valuables to the hospital, as they cannot be secured. The hospital is not responsible for replacing lost items. Any items that will be left unattended should remain at home.

Arriving at the Hospital

When you are in labor, come directly to the Labor & Delivery unit.

Between the hours of 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., enter the hospital through the Emergency Room entrance. Security will direct you to the Labor & Delivery unit.

Scheduled Births

If you have a scheduled birth, you will be given an arrival time and a delivery time. Your arrival time is two hours prior to your delivery time.

This two-hour window allows for necessary preparations: a blood test, a detailed health and pregnancy history, fetal monitoring and the initiation of an intravenous line to begin IV fluids prior to anesthesia. You will also meet with your anesthesiologist prior to your delivery.

Inductions

We ask that patients with a scheduled induction call the Labor and Delivery unit to confirm the time of their appointment. Appointment times may be adjusted depending on the capacity of the Labor and Delivery unit.

Parking Rates

Mercy Hospital and Sisters Hospital charge a small fee for parking.

If you are staying in one of our Celebration or Special Beginnings suites, a parking voucher is included in your room rate.

There is no cost to park at Mount St. Mary's Hospital.