Patient & Visitor Information
Having a baby is an exciting and sometimes hectic time. At the NewYork-Presbyterian Alexandra Cohen Hospital for Women and Newborns, we strive to ensure your high quality and compassionate experience. We have compiled useful information to help ease your stay.
Before You Arrive
If you believe that you are in labor, you should call your physician. Our labor and delivery unit is located in the NewYork Presbyterian Alexandra Cohen Hospital for Women and Newborns located at 1283 York Avenue. This is directly across the street from our main campus entrance on 68th street.
Please bring the following information with you to the Hospital on the day of your admission. This will help the admission process go smoothly.
- Complete list of all the prescription and over-the-counter medications that you are currently taking
- Reports your doctor gave you to bring to the Hospital
- Medical insurance information, including insurance cards, pre-certification, and other documentation required by your insurer
- Personal identification, such as a driver's license, passport, or other appropriate identification
- List of telephone numbers of immediate family members to call, if necessary
To save time, you can complete your paperwork remotely and securely before your stay through the patient portal.
Your Maternity Bag
We recommend you pack a bag in advance of your due date with necessities and going-home clothes for you and your baby. Some helpful things to include are:
For mom:
- Personal care items such as deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste and mouthwash, lotion, soap, and hairbrush and hairdryer. We will provide sanitary napkins and stretch panties after delivery.
- Nightgowns or pajamas, a robe, slippers, bras and underwear, and nursing bras if you plan to breastfeed.
- Please do not bring large amounts of cash, credit cards or jewelry
For baby's trip home
- an undershirt
- an outfit
- receiving blankets
- car seat
Visitors
We understand that you value the support of your loved ones when you are in the hospital. Please review our current visitor policy.
During Your Stay
Interpreter Services
Communication access for patients/families with limited English proficiency (LEP), speech or a visual impairment, or who are deaf or hard of hearing can be arranged by a member of our staff, free of charge. Indicate to a member of our staff if you will need this service, and it will be arranged for you.
Services for the Visually Impaired
If you are visually impaired, our staff will assist you with forms. The Patient Bill of Rights and various selected forms are available in Braille through the Patient Services Administration.
Pastoral Care
The chaplains in the Pastoral Care and Education Department are committed to meeting the religious, spiritual, and cultural needs of patients and their loved ones during hospitalization. If you would like to speak with a chaplain during your Hospital stay, please let a member of the staff know or call the Department directly. To page the on-call chaplain, contact the page operator at (212) 746-5100.
Preparing to Go Home
Patients are typically discharged one to two days after vaginal birth and two to three days following a Cesarean delivery. Both your obstetrician and pediatrician must authorize discharge for you and your baby. When your doctor tells you that you and your baby are ready to go home, your nurses will discuss ongoing care with you.
You will also receive a written discharge plan for you and for your baby that describes the arrangements for any future care that your doctor may order after discharge and a list of the medications that you will need to take at home. An envelope for your discharge information will be provided, so you will be able to keep track of the material easily.