Ochsner Medical Center (OMC) – inclusive of Ochsner Medical Center- West Bank Campus and Ochsner Baptist – earned the “High Performing in Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy)” rating, again! This is the highest rating U.S. News & World Report awards for maternity care, and the coveted honor is reserved for the top third of hospitals evaluated by U.S. News & World Report for maternity care. Ochsner Medical Center was the only hospital in Louisiana to get a “high performing” rating by U.S. News & World Report for maternity care in 2022-2023.

The Labor & Delivery Unit includes:

• 15 antepartum and birthing rooms
• Two nearby operating rooms
• 21 private mother baby rooms
• All private rooms
• Level-3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), with 16 beds
• Four observation rooms in the Labor Unit
• Family waiting room for Labor and Delivery and Mother Baby Units
• Lactation consultants 7 days a week, including after hours, by calling 504-391-5195. Breast pumps are available for purchase and rental.
• Prenatal and sibling classes, unit tours, car seat checks and infant CPR classes are offered by scheduling by calling 504-391-8896 or emailing familyunitWB@ochsner.org.

Ochsner West Bank is recognized as a Baby-Friendly birthing facility. This designation recognizes birthing facilities that offer mothers the environment, education and support needed for the most optimal birth experience. Learn more.

When preparing for your baby, there are so many decisions to make and so many things to think about. Choosing where to have your baby shouldn’t be one of them. Choose Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus for peace of mind—before, during and after your pregnancy. To make everything even easier, you can pre-register at Ochsner. Pre-registration in your first trimester is recommended.

To download a pre-registration form, click here.

To schedule a tour of our unit, call 504-391-8896 or email: FamilyUnitWB@ochsner.org.

Ochsner is devoted to creating an environment where mothers interested in breastfeeding their babies have the best support services available in the area. The Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank Lactation Center provide the proper knowledge, education and tools to women interested in breastfeeding options.

Ochsner Medical Center–West Bank Campus is certified as a Gift (Guided Infant Feeding Techniques) certified facility and has received the Golden Gift Breastfeeding Award. The Gift is a quality improvement and certification program for Louisiana birthing facilities based on the best practice model to increase breastfeeding initiation, duration and support.

The award and certification are presented on behalf of the Louisiana Maternal and Child Health Coalition, the Louisiana Perinatal Commission and the Louisiana Office of Public Health – Maternal and Child Health Program. Currently, there are 24 Gift-certified birthing facilities in the state of Louisiana. To learn more about Gift certification, visit http://www.thegiftla.org.

Baby-Friendly

Baby-friendly hospitals and birth centers uphold the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes by offering education and educational materials that promote human milk rather than other infant food and drinks, and by refusing to accept or distribute free or subsidized supplies of breast milk substitutes, nipples, and other feeding devices.

Ochsner encourages breastfeeding and follows these "Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding"

1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff.
2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy.
3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding.
4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants.
6. Give infants no food or drink other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
7. Practice rooming-in (allow mothers and infants to remain together) 24 hours a day.
8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand.
9. Give no artificial nipples or pacifiers to breastfeeding infants.
10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic.

Prenatal Consultation

Now is the time in your pregnancy to start thinking about breastfeeding your newborn. The Lactation Center offers FREE prenatal consultations to help you with your breastfeeding concerns or questions. Our certified lactation consultants will introduce you to the principles of breastfeeding. We will review your history and discuss community resources and develop an individualized plan of care for establishing breastfeeding.

For those mothers who plan on returning to work or school soon after giving birth, the lactation consultants can help develop individualized plans to ensure that new mothers and their babies don’t miss out on the opportunity to breastfeed. Consultations include the creation of a personalized plan and recommendations for the use of appropriate breast pumps. Please call 504-391-5195 or email us at FamilyUnitWB@ochsner.org to register for your prenatal consultation.

Prenatal Breastfeeding Class

This class is designed to provide detailed information on the basics of breastfeeding. In a group setting you will learn the correct techniques for breastfeeding, and how to begin breastfeeding while in the hospital as well as some anticipatory guidance for breastfeeding once you get home. Please call 504-391-5529 to register for a prenatal class.

Breastfeeding Consultations

For those times when telephone assistance just isn’t enough, lactation counselors are available for in person assistance. We can also work with you to devise a plan for continuing to breastfeed once you go back to work. To make an appointment, please call 504-391-5195.

Breastfeeding Supplies

Breast pumps, breast pump parts and accessories, lanolin, and more are available through the Lactation Center located on the second floor of the hospital. For those new mothers in need of a hospital grade pump or who would like to try pumping before purchasing a pump, hospital grade rentals are available. For more information, please call 504-391-5195.

Telephone Warm Line

Ochsner wants to offer continued assistance and support after you are discharged from the hospital. Should you have questions or concerns about breastfeeding, please call the Ochsner Lactation Warm Line at 504-391-5195. If you reach the recording, please leave a detailed message and a lactation consultant will return your call.

A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a highly specialized center for premature and special needs newborns and infants. Everyone on our staff is dedicated to the health and well being of your baby. To help newborns get healthy, out of the hospital system and into their homes with their parents sooner, techniques such as kangaroo care are employed (allowing skin-to-skin contact of a baby with its mother). These techniques have proven to decrease the length of the stay and to promote infant-mother bonding while encouraging the mother to breast-feed her child.

To help put your mind at ease, our NICU offers the highest level of care available. Our Level III NICU is a 16-bed unit located on the second floor adjacent to the Labor and Delivery unit and is staffed by our experienced team of board certified neonatologists, providing the ultimate in safety and comfort for your new bundle of joy.

Childbirth & Parenting Class Schedule

To register for any class or to schedule a tour call: 504-391-5529 or email FamilyUnitWB@ochsner.org

Click here to download a copy of the 2021 childbirth class schedule.

Prenatal Class: Birthing and Beyond

General prenatal health, labor, anesthesia, delivery options, mom and baby post delivery care, and tour. Class is taught by a certified birth educator. Breastfeeding information by lactation consultant. No Cost.

Lamaze Class:

Healthy birth practices supported by research to ensure positive, healthy birth outcomes for both mom and baby. Will include a tour and breastfeeding information. Class is taught by a certified Lamaze instructor. Cost: $100 per couple - Make check payable to Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus. To preview class visit www.lamaze.org.

Baby Basics

Teaching includes newborn appearance and characteristics, basic infant care including feeding, bathing, sleep patterns, safety and more. No cost.

Breastfeeding Class:

Breastfeeding class is designed to teach the basics of breastfeeding, including early feeding, positioning, latch on and milk production. Also included are the basics of breast anatomy, hormones and dealing with common concerns, and pumps and breast milk storage. Class is taught by a lactation consultant. No Cost.

Sibling Class: Mommy’s Having a Baby

Ages 3-11, interactive activities and tour of mother baby unit. No Cost.

Infant CPR:

Provided through AHA, this non-certifying class provides CPR Basics for infant & child, choking, safe sleep, and car seat safety. Fee is $15.00 per person or $25.00 per couple.

Register online and view class dates.

Safe Sitter Classes:

Safe Sitter® is a medically accurate program that teaches boys and girls ages 11 to 13 how to handle emergencies when caring for children. This class teaches safe and nurturing child care techniques, behavior management skills, and appropriate responses to medical emergencies. For more information - www.safesitter.org

Register: familyunitwb@ochsner.org or call 504-391-5529

Includes:

• Safe Sitter® Manual
• Completion Card

Please bring your lunch and money for a soft drink. A snack will be provided.

Make check payable to Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus.

Child Safety Seat Fitting Station:

Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus performs car seat safety checks by appointment with a certified child passenger safety technician. To schedule an appointment email FamilyUnitWB@ochsner.org or call 391-5529.

For additional information, visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS.

Unit Tours:

Tours are available by appointment. Call to schedule a tour.

Mommy-To-Be Events:

Expecting? Attend the West Bank Mommy-To-Be Open House. Attend sessions on Breastfeeding Basics and expert panel sessions, get a tour of the Labor and Delivery area and the newly renovated Mother and Baby area, as well as enter to win door prizes. No cost to attend.

Is Your Child In The Right Car Seat?

The best way to protect them in the car is to put them in the right seat, at the right time, and use it the right way.

There are so many car seat types and models, how do you know which one is right for your child? The right car seat or booster fits your child and your car, and is one you will use correctly every time you travel. Not only will your child ride as safely as possible, you will be establishing the foundation for a lifelong habit of seat belt use every time your child travels.

Recommendations

• Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, and choose a seat that fits in your vehicle and use it every time.
• Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions; read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system; and check height and weight limits.
• To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
• Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.

For More Information, Visit the Links Below

• Choosing and Using a Car Seat
• Car Seats & Booster Basics
• Installation Tips
• Registering Your Car Seat

Car Seat Safety Checks

Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus performs car seat safety checks by appointment with a certified child passenger safety technician. To schedule an appointment email FamilyUnitWB@ochsner.org or call 391-5529.

Source: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS