There's a lot to do to prepare for the birth of your baby.

To help with this process, we've pulled together a list of things that we recommend doing before the big day!

1) Sign up for a Hospital Tour and some of our childbirth & parenting classes. Learn More About Childbirth and Parenting Classes at Rose>>>

2) Look into Financial Responsibilities

We strongly encourage you to obtain "pre-certification" from your insurance carrier prior to your admission. Make sure you understand your specific coverage terms. Verify that Rose Medical Center is an approved provider of obstetrical care under your plan.

If you have minimal to no insurance coverage, the total hospital bill is your responsibility; however, we do offer a cost-reduced plan. Call our pre-admission financial counselors at 303-320-2626 for further information.

The portions of your hospital bill that you most likely will be required to pay include:

• Any charges in excess of insurance coverage maximums
• Insurance coverage deductibles or co-payments
• Post-delivery stay in the Six North Suites

If you have any questions about payment or insurance issues, please do not hesitate to call a financial counselor at 303-320-2626. If you have any questions about your bill after discharge, you may call the Business Department at 303-584-6045.

3) Pre-Register for Delivery

We recommend you pre-register prior to your hospital stay. Pre-registration will enable us to escort you without delay to Labor & Delivery to complete admission.

To pre-register, you may call 303-320-2798 or visit ONLINE PRE-REGISTRATION.

4) Review "Five Wishes" Advance Directive

Federal law directs that any time you are admitted to any healthcare facility or served by certain organizations that receive Medicare or Medicaid funding, you must be told about Colorado's laws concerning your right to make healthcare decisions.

As a patient, it is your right to formulate and provide advance directives concerning your wishes for life-prolonging or sustaining treatment in the event that you should become unable to make your own decisions. Completion of the pamphlet "Five Wishes" fulfills the need for an advance directive.

You are not required to have an advance directive in order to receive medical treatment at this healthcare facility. If you would like a copy of the pamphlet "Five Wishes" sent to you, please call 303-320-2740.

5) Select a Doctor for your Baby
Please call 303-320-ROSE or use our Online Find a Physician tool to obtain a referral to a Pediatrician or Family Practitioner. This doctor, or a representative from their practice, will visit you and your baby in the hospital for examination during your stay.

6) Prepare for Baby's First Days at Home

For the past 40 years, the length of stay after delivery for mothers and their infants has been steadily decreasing. Today it is not unusual following a vaginal delivery for mother and baby to be discharged within 48 hours, or within four days for a Cesarean birth. What should new parents do to get ready for those exciting and challenging first days at home?

Take advantage of educational resources early in pregnancy:

• Books, videos, magazines, Web sites
• Classes offered by Rose on infant care, safety and CPR, breastfeeding, and prepared childbirth

Discuss your need for help at home:

• Home health visit by a nurse
• Transitional live-in care
• Housecleaning service
• Transportation for appointments and shopping
• Postpartum doula

Make a plan for:

• Sharing the household duties
• Sending birth announcements and thank-you notes
• Diaper service or a supply of disposable diapers
• Quiet time
• Visitor control
• Shopping for essentials
• Emergencies - Be prepared by having hotline numbers readily available

Learn More: What to Bring to the Hospital for Delivery.