Womens & Maternal Health

GCH typically has an open visitation policy, however, visitation may vary. All visitors are required to check-in with the front desk prior to entering the Labor & Delivery unit. Visiting children 14 years and under (when permitted), must be supervised by an adult, other than the patient at all times.

Due to COVID-19, visitors are restricted to two per patient. This includes one support person and one visitor. Thank you for your understanding.

You deserve the highest quality of obstetric care. That’s why our commitment to patient-centered care puts you first. As partners in health, we work with you and your family to provide options and services that meet your personal needs. You can expect:

• One-on-one personalized care and nursing support
• Ongoing communication and collaboration between parents and staff
• Our board-certified physicians, midwives and nurses to guide you throughout your pregnancy and beyond

Before leaving GCH, your doctor, nurse and you will develop an After Discharge CarePlan, especially for you. We are here for you every step of the way.

Due to COVID-19, we are not scheduling in-person tours. Virtual tour coming soon!

Selecting an Obstetrician or a Pediatrician is an important family decision and the best time to choose a physician is before you need one. Your doctor is an important family resource not only for medical care, but also for advice and information. Refer to GCH’s Physician Referral for a complete list of physicians on staff.

Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for facilities located in its own service area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan. Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable healthcare. Each facility’s cost of care is evaluated using data from its Local Blue Plan. Facilities in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in two evaluations for cost of care; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both cost of care evaluation(s) must meet BDC+ national criteria. National criteria for BDC and BDC+ are displayed on www.bcbs.com. Individual outcomes may vary. For details on a provider’s in-network status or your own policy’s coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan and ask your provider before making an appointment. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for non-covered charges or other losses or damages resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.

All babies born at Garden City Hospital, or who are brought here shortly after delivery, will have their birth certificates prepared by a dedicated member of the Birthing Center staff. Mothers of the babies will be given a worksheet to fill out with information needed to prepare the birth certificate. Once the birth certificate is prepared, the new parents will be given an opportunity to review the document for any mistakes and for one of them to sign. Every effort is made by the Birthing Center staff to meet with the new mothers in their rooms during their stay. If a member of the Birthing Center staff is unable to meet with the new parents, they will have an opportunity to come into the department during regular business hours to complete the process. Please call in advance to ensure availability of this dedicated staff member’s presence prior to your arrival.

If you are not married, the State of Michigan requires that legal paternity be established before a father’s name can be listed on a birth certificate. The Birthing Center staff can prepare an Affidavit of Parentage for you, free of charge. This form is a voluntary, legal document that is used to establish paternity. In order for the Birthing Center staff to assist you with this, the father of the baby must have a picture ID with him. If the Affidavit cannot be finished before discharge, the Birthing Center staff may hold the birth certificate, for up to five days, to finish the Affidavit of Parentage. It is free to file an Affidavit of Parentage with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, but the state does charge a fee to add a father to the birth certificate after processing.

Birth Certificates are sent to Garden City, City Hall for registration. It generally takes three weeks for City Hall to finish the certification process with the State of Michigan. GCH provides a Verification of Birth when the Birth Certificate paperwork has been completed, to be used as proof of the baby’s birth until the birth certificate is available.