Childbirth

Going Home After Giving Birth

It’s time to take your new baby home! We’ll help you start things off on the right foot after delivering at Slidell Memorial Hospital.

Discharge

Your physician and your baby's doctor will determine your discharge date, and the nursing staff will make arrangements for your departure. Be sure to collect your personal belongings before you leave.

Once you’re ready, call the nurses’ station, and you will be taken to your vehicle in a wheelchair by one of our staff members. Upon request, home prescription medication can be delivered to your bedside before discharge.

Birth Certificates

SMH’s Health Information Management Department assists parents by completing newborn birth certificate applications. The clerk is available during the following extended hours to assist you:

• Monday ­– Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday: 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  

You can reach our birth certificate clerk at (985) 280-1707.

Birth Registration and Louisiana Paternity Laws

Louisiana paternity laws govern the last name you give your newborn child and the recording of the newborn child's father on the birth certificate. The laws differ depending on whether the mother is married at the time of conception and birth. There are also laws governing the change of last name of a child and the recording of paternity after birth registration.

Questions About Your Child’s Birth Certificate

How do I obtain a certified copy of a Louisiana birth certificate?

You can request a certified copy of a birth certificate from the Louisiana Department of Health’s State Registrar and Vital Records. A birth certificate can also be purchased from the Clerk of Court, located at 520 Old Spanish Trail, 5^th Floor, Towers Building, Slidell, LA. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How do I get a birth verification or proof of birth letter?

You will receive a complimentary birth verification letter upon completing your baby's birth certificate. A birth verification contains the baby's name, date of birth, parents’ names and delivery doctor’s name.

It is important that you keep this document for verification of birth until you receive the certified copy of your baby's birth certificate. To request an additional birth verification letter, contact the Health Information Management Department at (985) 280-1707.

How long does it take to receive the birth certificate?

You will receive a complimentary copy of your baby's birth certificate from the Louisiana Department of Heath’s Vital Records Registry. It can take four to six weeks to receive this copy.

What do I do if there is a problem with my child’s birth certificate?

Corrections to birth certificates — everything from minor errors to adding the father’s name — cannot be made by the hospital. You must contact the Vital Records Registry to make any corrections or amendments.

When will I get my child's social security number?

It typically takes four to six weeks to receive your child's social security number. If you need a social security number sooner, you may apply in person at any of the Social Security Administration's offices or visit the website for more information.

Car Seats

State law requires that all infants be secured in a federally approved car seat at all times. Please remember to have your car seat installed in your vehicle to ensure your baby's safety on the way home.

Parenting Classes

SMH is here to help you celebrate important milestones as your baby grows. The SMH Community Outreach Center's educational classes and discussion groups are designed to help families gain confidence in parenting skills. Programs and support groups address topics such as child development, discipline, and feeding and sleep tips.

See all parenting classes offered through SMH.