Health Services

JBER Labor & Delivery

Directions

JBER Hospital is located near the Muldoon Gate, although access from off-base may be necessary through the Fort Richardson or Boniface gate during the night hours. Check current gate hours on the JBER Connect app. Parking spots designated for pregnant patients are located outside the Bear Entrance and near the Moose Entrance when attending appointments in the Women’s Health Clinic.

Bear Entrance

From the Bear Entrance (open 0600-1700), proceed to the right, just past the coffee cart. You will find the waiting area. Through the waiting area, turn right and proceed to the double doors. Here you can request access by phoning the unit (907-580-1601) since we are a locked unit for infant security.

Moose Entrance/Emergency Department Entrance

Proceed through the Emergency Department entrance during evening/nighttime hours. Bypass all clinics and proceed past the coffee cart, following directions as above.

About

JBER’s Labor & Delivery/Perinatal Nursing Unit (PNU) provides routine obstetric and newborn care with 6 delivery/recovery rooms plus five postpartum/antepartum rooms. There are two operating rooms located on the unit. On average, we deliver over 400 infants a year. We have a friendly staff of physicians, nurse-midwives, nurses and technicians who are committed to bringing you and your family current, safe and evidence-based care. Discover the unique features of JBER's Labor & Delivery by viewing this virtual tour below:

Virtual Tour of JBER Perinatal Services Unit

How to Prepare for Delivery

Labor & Delivery offers a Childbirth Class every month to help you feel prepared and this includes a unit tour. Classes are limited to ten couples and it is recommended to attend in your third trimester (or after 28 weeks). Call 907-580-1601 to schedule.

Our inpatient lactation consultant offers a prenatal breastfeeding education class twice a month. Please email us this information to schedule:

Course:
Full name:
DoDID:
Est. Due Date:
Best Contact:

Education and research is always recommended so that you feel informed and prepared for your delivery experience. Please ask staff any questions you may have.

What to bring to the hospital

Some suggested comfort items you may want to bring include:

Smart phone, tablet or laptop
Camera
Favorite pillow
Lollipops/hard candy
Lip balm
Personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, shampoo, shower items

We encourage family and friends who will be providing support to dress for comfort and to pack snacks.

On the day of discharge you will need:

Infant car seat
Clothes/shoes for mom;
Outfit for baby (hat and blankets dependent upon the weather)

Labor & Delivery FAQs

Should I have a birth plan?
Yes. This is a great way to communicate with your care team. Concerns in your pregnancy prior to labor or problems that occur during labor may result in changes in your birth plan for your safety and that of your baby. The more prepared and knowledgeable you are regarding labor, delivery, and postpartum, the better chance you will have in achieving your birthing goals. A plan is a guideline; you can change your mind about any of the provisions. You and your delivery team will work together to make this the best possible event for you!
When should I come to labor and delivery?
Before 20 weeks gestation:
If you are under 20 weeks gestational age and are having any bleeding, cramping, or concerns you think need to be assessed by a health care professional, you need to either be seen in the Women’s Health Clinic or the Emergency Department.

From 20 weeks to delivery:
If you are over 20 weeks gestation, you should come to Labor & Delivery. Reasons you may need to be evaluated include:
- any vaginal bleeding
- vaginal gush of fluid (note the time and color and put on a pad)
- decrease in fetal movements (< 10 in 2 hours, after 28 weeks)
- if you are having four or more contractions in one hour (especially if < 37 weeks)
- After a fall or any abdominal trauma
If you have a medical emergency, call 911.
I am scheduled for cervical ripening, what should I do?
Your provider may have recommended your labor be started for medical reasons. This may include gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or preeclampsia. In the clinic, your cervix will be checked to see if cervical ripening is needed prior to your induction.

Medication or a cervical ripening balloon may be recommended to prepare your body for induction. Typical arrival time is 2:00 p.m. on your scheduled day for ripening. In some instances, your provider may recommend outpatient cervical ripening, in which you would arrive at 2:00 p.m. then return the following morning.
I am scheduled for an induction, what should I do?
If you are scheduled for an induction, plan to arrive at 5 a.m. the morning of your induction. Also, you will want to take a shower/bath before coming and will not want to eat anything "heavy" after midnight ("heavy" meaning large portions of any kind of food, but could include large portions of meat, and meals such as casseroles, multiple course meals and spicy dishes).
I am scheduled for a cesarean section (C-section), what should I do?
If you are scheduled for a C-section, DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight. Plan to arrive at 5 a.m. the morning of your operation.
How many visitors can I have in my labor and delivery?
View the unit visitor policy.
PNU Visitor Policy
What should I plan ahead of my pending labor and delivery time?
Remember to make childcare arrangements for when your labor begins (back-up plans can be helpful). We are unable to accommodate older children sleeping at the hospital.
What are my options for pain management?
You will be provided a wide range of options for pain management. These include breathing techniques and positions changes, IV medication, nitrous oxide and epidural analgesia. What route you take for pain management will depend on your preparation for the labor, the baby, how far along you are in your labor, the mother's health, and the decision you and your health care team agree on.
Do I have to have an intravenous (IV) catheter?
An IV is generally used during the labor process to give you hydration and medications, if needed. It is especially important in an emergency to have this access in place so that staff can assist in caring for your and your infant. The catheter can generally be removed after you have recovered and of course prior to discharge.
Can I walk/move around while I am in labor?
Many patients choose to walk and use a birthing ball while they are in labor. As long as your baby is doing well and you haven't received any medications that could interfere with walking, your physician may order for you to walk around if you desire. Many times, walking around can be very comfortable to women during the early part of labor. If you have received an epidural, your movement is restricted to position changes in the bed. Your labor nurse can assist in using different positions to assist your labor (including with a peanut positioning ball).
What is Pitocin?
Pitocin, also known as oxytocin, is a medication which is a synthetic form of the hormone your body already produces to stimulate uterine contractions. Pitocin is sometimes ordered by your physician to induce or augment your labor. Your nurse and physician would discuss administration of Pitocin before starting it on you. Our protocol is to begin slowly and increase slowly to ensure you and your baby’s safety.
Do you have a nursery?
We are fortunate here to have the mothers and babies stay and room together. For infants who require more medical care than what can be provided in a room, they may be cared for in the nursery, or procedural room for newborn care.
Do you have water births?
We do not currently have accommodations for water births.

Postpartum/Newborn

Standard Newborn Care

If you and your infant are stable, we recommend skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding, if that is your desired feeding method. Thereafter, your infant will be weighed and the nurse will complete an assessment, all done in your hospital room. The inpatient lactation consultant will visit you, if desired, to ensure your breastfeeding journey is off to the best start. The pediatrician will also round on your infant every day you are in the hospital. Feel free to write down any questions you may have to ensure all your questions are answered.

Medications

Our pediatric staff recommends several medications be given to your infant after delivery and initial bonding time. More information about the medications can be found here:

Vitamin K: Protect Your Baby From Bleeds (CDC)
Hepatitis B Vaccine: Hepatitis B Perinatal Vaccine (CDC)
Erythromycin: Erythromycin Eye Ointment (Healthychildren.org)
(Seasonal) RSV monoclonal antibody: RSV immunization Guidance (CDC)

Screenings

Prior to discharge, your infant will be screened for hearing loss. This is a state mandated screening and is typically performed after 12 hours of life. If your infant does not pass our screening test, the audiology clinic will repeat the screenings once the infant is a little older.
Additionally, blood will be drawn from your infant's heel to assess for metabolic conditions that can impact how they are able to digest nutrients. The results are not received until closer to your infants two week visit so your pediatrician will contact you with those results.

Discharge

Prior to discharge, your infant's bilirubin (jaundice screening) and weight will be remeasured which helps the pediatrician determine when to have you return for a follow up visit.

Infant Safety/Security

We take a multilevel approach to protect the infants on our unit. This includes education for parents and staff, training, staff badge identification, security monitors, and an infant ID system. Infants are not allowed off the unit unless accompanied by a designated parent/support person or appropriately identified personnel. If you feel something is "not right" about an individual, please notify a staff member immediately.

Postpartum/Newborn FAQs

How soon can I go home?
The typical postpartum stay is 48-72 hours although some patients may meet all discharge criteria after 24 hours. Discuss your discharge plans with your care team.
I am being discharged from the hospital but my baby has to stay another day. What happens now?
You will be able to stay with your infant in a ‘boarding’ status until your infant is discharged. As the primary caregiver to the infant, you will continue to be brought a regular meal tray from nutritional medicine.
Who do I call if I have a question about my health once I'm home from the hospital?
Your nursing team will discuss your follow up appointments at discharge. Babies are seen within 24-72 hours after hospital discharge, and all women are recommended to be seen at 6-8 weeks postpartum (some sooner for blood pressure or incision checks). If you have any questions or concerns after discharge, please contact the Women’s Health Clinic up until six weeks after delivery. Beyond six weeks, please contact your primary care manager for your healthcare needs.

Contact Us

Phone

907-580-1401
907-580-1601

JBER Appointment Line
907-580-2778
Women's Health Clinic
907-580-5808
Pediatric Clinic
907-580-2907
Tricare Nurse Advice Line
800-874-2273

Hours

The unit is staffed 24/7.

Location

Building 5955, Bear Wing, First Floor

Resources

MHS Patient Portal
https://myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil/identitymanagement/app/login

Guide to Prenatal Care
Pregnancy & Childbirth, 'Purple Book'

Postpartum Warning Signs
Urgent Maternal Warning Signs (ACOG)

We welcome your feedback!
Interactive Customer Evaluation

After Discharge Instructions
DEERS, Command Sponsorship, Finance
Alaska Birth Certificate Form

Don't forget to keep your family's information up-to-date in DEERS.