To Our Obstertical Patients Nearing Delivery

Dear Patient:

As the time for your delivery approaches, we would like to offer several reminders to help with a smooth conclusion to your pregnancy.

1. Now is the time to start planning for maternity leave. Most patients will continue to work up to at least 38 weeks of pregnancy. Your medical leave will last six weeks postpartum for a vaginal delivery, and eight weeks for a cesarean section. Our office will be happy to complete any paperwork for your employer. You may bring the forms to our front desk, and they will be completed within five working days. There will be a $10 charge for this service, payable at the time you drop off the paperwork.
2. The Thomas Jefferson University Maternity Nurse Care Coordinators (Martha Puleo and Cheryl Albertson) will be contacting you by mail or telephone during your third trimester. If you have not been contacted, please call them at 215-955-0705. They are a valuable resource for questions you may have regarding hospital admission, prenatal classes, birth plans, breastfeeding classes, parenting classes, tours, and special needs that you anticipate during your delivery and postpartum period. They distribute a hospital maternity educational package and videotape to all maternity patients. They look forward to talking with you and providing support to you and your family.
3. We do recommend that you consider taking a prenatal class prior to delivery, especially if this is your first pregnancy. These classes will help prepare you for labor and delivery, as well as address some common postpartum concerns. Please contact our childbirth education coordinator for class information at 215-955-6713. To register for classes, call 1-800-JEFF-NOW. For additional information about our Department, please visit our website www.jeffersonhospital.org/obgyn
4. If you have not chosen a pediatrician, now is an appropriate time to do so. Many pediatricians offer prenatal visits to discuss circumcision, vaccinations, infant feeding, and other common neonatal concerns. If you do not select a pediatrician, or your pediatrician does not have privileges at Jefferson, you baby will be cared for by a Jefferson staff attending pediatrician while you are in the hospital.
5. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology currently does not allow videotaping of the actual birth.
6. We want to remind you that Thomas Jefferson University is a teaching institution, and that all the doctors in the group have a commitment to teaching medical students and residents. This means residents and medical students will be participating in your care. Please note that all care is closely supervised and directed by the attending physicians. This is an opportunity for you to be an active participant in your care, and in the education of the future leaders in obstetrics and gynecology.

This is a very exciting time in your pregnancy. We wish you the best for a happy, healthy labor and delivery.