Skip to site content

ER WAIT

i

See how our ER wait times are calculated.

Women's Health Services

Menu
Women's Health Services Menu

What to Expect

Getting Ready for the Hospital

At least three weeks before your due date, pack a bag and have it ready to go. Be sure to include:

  • Comfort and concentration items if using controlled childbirth techniques
  • Personal hygiene items and health and beauty aides
  • Underwear (one size larger than normal)
  • Comfortable nightgowns (be sure they button up the front if you plan to breastfeed)
  • Bathrobe and slippers
  • One or two nursing bras (if breastfeeding) or support bras to help suppress lactation if you do not plan to breastfeed
  • Clothes that will fit comfortably to wear home
  • Clothes for the baby (for example, a hat for cold weather)
  • Covers for the baby (receiving blankets, etc.)
  • Phone numbers of friends and relatives
  • Infant car seat for the ride home
  • We recommend that you leave all valuable items at home. If possible, make arrangements for someone to help you with the baby when you return home from the hospital.

Anesthesia

If you are contemplating the need for pain relief during labor, contact your physician to discuss your concerns and make arrangements well in advance.

Nitrous Oxide

Women's Services at Highpoint Health – Riverview with Ascension Saint Thomas now offers nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is gas that can be inhaled in a mixture with oxygen to help relieve labor pain. To learn more, check out the FAQs below.

  • How is Nitrous Oxide administered?

    It is a portable device that can be brought into your labor and delivery room by your nurse. You will have a mask that is connected to oxygen and nitrous oxide. When you inhale through the mask, the machine will give you a dose of the gas and when you exhale into the mask the gas is removed from the air with a suction mechanism.

  • Can I have it whenever I want? Or can I only use it for a limited time period?

    Yes, you can receive nitrous oxide at any point during your labor and there is no limit to how long you use the nitrous oxide.

  • How do I know when to use it?

    It is recommended that you begin breathing in the mask or straw as soon as you feel the contraction begin. You should continue breathing in the mask until the worse pain of the contraction begins to subside.

  • What are the side effects for me?

    Nitrous oxide can make you dizzy or nauseated.

  • Is it dangerous for me?

    The use of inhaled nitrous oxide is a common option for labor pain management in several countries.

  • Is it dangerous for my baby?

    Many studies have reported no harm to the baby.

  • How do I know if I cannot have it?

    Nitrous oxide may not be safe if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency or if your oxygen level is low for another reason. It is also not recommended if you are unable to hold the mask on your face by yourself, or if your baby’s heart tracing is worrisome.

  • Does it really help with pain?

    Nitrous oxide does not completely relieve the pain of labor but decreases your awareness of the pain. In other words, you can still feel some pain, but it does not bother you as much and becomes more bearable.

  • Can I still have an epidural after if it does not work?

    You can change your mind and choose to have an epidural, as long as there is not another reason an epidural may not be right for you at that time. If you decide to take IV narcotics, you must wait 2 hours after IV administration to begin nitrous oxide.

Birth Certificate

Our team will help you prepare the birth certificate. To do this, Mom and Dad must both bring their Social Security cards. You will be responsible for requesting a legal copy from the State Vital Records Office. A Social Security card is applied for at the same time as the birth certificate.

Post Birth Warning Signs

Call 911 if:

      • Pain in chest
      • Obstructed breathing or shortness of breath
      • Seizures
      • Thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else

Call your health care provider if:

      • Bleeding, soaking through one bad/hour, or blood clots the size of an egg or bigger 
      • Incision that is not healing 
      • Red or swollen leg that is painful or warm to touch 
      • Temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher 
      • Headache that does not get better even after taking medicine or bad headache with vision changes 

Our Locations

Highpoint Health – Sumner with Ascension Saint Thomas
Center for Women's Health
P.O. Box 1558
555 Hartsville Pike
Gallatin, TN 37066

Highpoint Health – Riverview with Ascension Saint Thomas
158 Hospital Drive
Carthage, TN 37030

We use cookies to make our site work, including measuring elements related to the site's performance as intended. By using our site you agree that information about you and your visit may be collected and/or sent to third parties for these purposes. We do not sell or share your information, nor do we use analytics, advertisement, or other non-necessary cookies. For more information about our online privacy practices, please visit our online Privacy Policy.