In June, St. Mary’s Hospital’s Women’s Health & Family Birthing Center implemented the following new visitation guidelines for the safety and comfort of patients.  During the restricted visitation last flu season, the center was quieter for patients and their family members.  Patient safety is enhanced when there are some guidelines in place.  The new guidelines include:


  • Postpartum visiting hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • 24-hour visitation for laboring patients or short stays 
  • Visitors must be over age 5 unless the sibling of a newborn
  • Siblings will not count in the total number of visitors allowed in the patient’s room at a time
  • All non-sibling children over age 5 will count as a visitor 
  • Children who are well may visit but must be with an adult at all times.
  • Patients will be asked to designate one main support person/family liaison who will remain consistent throughout their entire stay; if needed, this person may be “swapped out” with a secondary support person.
  • Patients may have unlimited visitors but must rotate out for a maximum of four visitors at a time per room, including the main support person.
  • Visitors are to leave the patient’s room promptly when asked by a member of the medical team.
  • To ensure patient safety and confidentiality, all visitors must not congregate in the hallways or outside the patient’s door; a waiting room is available outside the locked double doors.
  • Three people may attend a stable mother’s delivery (including main support person); all other visitors will be held during this time.
  • The rotation of visitors post-delivery will commence only after the immediate recovery process is completed and mother and baby are stabilized.
  • Mother’s wishing their minor child to attend her delivery must notify her physician and nurse of her wishes prior to the active phase of labor and the child must be accompanied by an adult who is prepared to immediately leave the room with the child if necessary.
  • An optional “Lullaby Time” from 2 to 4 p.m. daily will be offered to all postpartum patients; visitation will be held and only the main support person may come and go; all incoming phone calls will be held and only essential nursing care will be provided.
  • Exceptions to this policy will be considered on a case-by-case basis when there are extenuating circumstances
  • During times of public health crises, such as a flu pandemic, additional restrictions may apply to protect the health of mother and baby.