As a mother, you deserve your birthing experience to be positive and memorable. We know that where and how you have your baby is your choice, and it is one that you do not take lightly. From the moment you come in the door to the time you take your baby home, we want you to feel comfortable and confident in your choice of choosing Forrest Health to be a part of your special life moments.
The Family Birthplace Advantage at Forrest General Hospital
The Family Birthplace at Forrest General Hospital was designed with the expectant mother and her family's priorities in mind. The Women and Children's entrance is conveniently located on the 4th floor of the parking garage for easy and stress-free access. You'll also experience the unique attentiveness and compassion from our specialized staff, who are solely dedicated to the care and well-being of you, your newborn, and your family.
Forrest General was the first hospital in Mississippi to achieve Baby-Friendly designation, which recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother/baby bonding.
Labor and Delivery Suites
- Private labor and delivery rooms with birthing beds, surgical suites and a recovery room.
- Labor, delivery and recovery occur in the same room for your comfort and ease of transition.
- We welcome birthing coaches, and they may stay with you throughout labor and delivery.
Mother-Baby Unit
- These suites create a soothing atmosphere with all the comforts of home. The unit includes larger rooms to encourage family bonding, as well as allow the staff to continue providing family-centered patient care.
- At the Family Birthplace, we care for infants and their mothers together. Mothers and newborns remain together for the entire hospital stay. This is "couplet" care, and it enhances bonding between the mother, baby, and the family.
- Postpartum is the time when your family begins to bond, and it is a time for you and your newborn to stabilize after delivery. During postpartum, you may experience a range of emotions due to changes which occur following childbirth. Rest is important during the postpartum period, and our staff is here 24/7 to accommodate your needs during this time.
- The Family Birthplace staff will also help you with breastfeeding techniques, and other aspects of your newborn's care such as holding, feeding, bathing, and dressing.
Nursery
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The Family Birthplace has a newborn transition nursery for stabilization after birth and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for babies needing specialized care.
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Under normal circumstances, we encourage babies to stay in the room with the mother. This "rooming in" concept allows for unlimited bonding time between you and your baby.
The Family Birthplace Virtual Tour
Where some of life’s most important moments begin.
Take a look inside the Family Birthplace at Forrest General Hospital and see how our team supports families from labor and delivery through those first moments with their newborn.
The Family Birthplace at Forrest General
The Family Birth Center at Highland Community Hospital
The Family Birth Center at Highland Community Hospital in Picayune offers a family-centered childbirth experience for families in Pearl River County. When you choose Highland Community Hospital, you can feel confident knowing you are choosing a relaxing, calming environment with skilled physicians and compassionate staff—close to home.
Labor and Delivery Suites
- Private labor and delivery rooms with birthing beds, surgical suites, and a recovery room
- Labor, delivery, and recovery all take place in the same room for comfort and ease of transition
- Birthing coaches are welcome and may stay with you throughout labor and delivery
Childbirth and Breastfeeding Education
Our childbirth and breastfeeding educational videos give you a chance to learn about a variety of topics. Please click the link below to view the topics and learn more about childbirth and breastfeeding.
View our Childbirth and Breastfeeding Education playlist
Baby-Friendly Hospitals
We’re proud to lead our state in caring for mothers and babies. That’s why Forrest General Hospital and Highland Community Hospital have both worked hard to earn designation as Baby-Friendly hospitals—setting the standard for exceptional care in Mississippi.
At Forrest Health, we love our babies, and we’re committed to giving them the very best start in life. Being Baby-Friendly means our hospitals are among a select group nationwide to receive this prestigious recognition. It also means we take extra measures to provide the highest standard of care for mothers and their babies, especially when it comes to supporting breastfeeding.
To help families experience the many benefits of breastfeeding, we follow the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding:
- A Comply fully with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and relevant World Health Assembly resolutions.
1.B Have a written infant feeding policy that is routinely communicated to staff and parents.
1.C Establish ongoing monitoring and data-management systems.
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Ensure that staff have sufficient knowledge, competence, and skills to support breastfeeding.
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Discuss the importance and management of breastfeeding with pregnant women and their families.
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Facilitate immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact and support mothers in initiating breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth.
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Support mothers in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding and managing common difficulties.
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Do not provide breastfed newborns any food or fluids other than breast milk, unless medically indicated.
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Enable mothers and their infants to remain together and practice rooming-in 24 hours a day.
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Support mothers in recognizing and responding to their infants’ feeding cues.
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Counsel mothers on the use and risks of feeding bottles, artificial nipples (teats), and pacifiers.
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Coordinate discharge so that parents and their infants have timely access to ongoing support and care.
If you’re looking for a welcoming, supportive place to begin your family’s journey, look to Forrest General Hospital or Highland Community Hospital.
