At Dr. Shterev Hospital, we welcome more than 1000 newborns into the world each year and our team is ready to assist you to welcome your newborn baby into your family! We believe that the birth of each baby is a very special moment and deserves personalised care and consideration. In the Maternity Ward, that has opened doors in 2006, more than 7000 newborns have taken their first breath in the hands of our devoted team. For more than 10 years our maternity ward has been offering warm and affable atmosphere for the future parents and their newborns, as well as professional assistance and attention. Moreover, Dr. Shterev Hospital supports the natural birth and breastfeeding. In the last years, the Hospital has participated in the World Breastfeeding Week and our midwives have undergone a number of courses to perfect their knowledge in this sphere. So now, let us tell you more about this amazing moment in every person's life and how it happens at Dr. Shterev Hospital.

Maternity Ward
Our Maternity Ward consists of one Delivery room, two Operating Theaters for a C-section, ICU, two Pre-delivery double rooms with a bathroom, Well Baby Nursery, Postnatal single and double rooms with bathrooms, together with a VIP room.

Pre-delivery Registration
You have to Pre-Register for labor and delivery at Dr.Shterev Hospital at least 1 month before your due date. This includes:

1. Choose an Obstetrician and book an appointment for your first consultation. On your first consultation, please, bring out your Pregnancy History documentation (information on the medical history of the pregnancy) from your doctor (if you are not monitoring your pregnancy at our hospital).
2. After the pre-delivery registration you will be asked to fill in some papers that include informed consents and other documentation, concerning a delivery at Dr. Shterev Hospital that is described below. It will be part of your medical records in the Hospital.
3. Pre-admitting laboratory testing and Imaging studies – ESR, Complete Blood Count, Blood group and Rh, Coagulation studies (eg, prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times, fibrinogen level), HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, Urine test, Vaginal smear, Ultrasonography, NST, etc. Your Obstetrician will prepare for you a formal order for laboratory tests.
4. A Consultation with an Anesthesiologist.
5. A Consultation with an Internist.

Dr. Shterev Hospital Outpatient Laboratory Open Hours:
Mondays to Fridays: 08.00 – 16.00
Saturdays and Sundays & Public Holidays: 08.00 – 12.00

Hospital documentation
The following hospital documentation has to be filled in during the pre-delivery registration (before delivery):
□ Informed consent for labor and delivery.
□ Pre-anesthesia questionnaire.
□ Informed consent for blood transfusion and blood components.
□ Informed consent for newborn vaccinations.
□ Informed consent for newborn hearing screening and general testing.
□ Supporting documentation for S2 Form patients.

What you do need to take with you for your stay in the Hospital?
□ Identity Card (ID Card).
□ European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for EU citizens.
□ The S2 Form for EU citizens. You need to obtain it from your health insurance institution prior to the planned treatment and then submit it to the Hospital.
□ Casual wear for go to home in, personal toiletries, nipple cream (we suggest Lansinoh HPA Lanolin), hairclip or hair band, maternity underwear, bras (nursing bras if breastfeeding), breastfeeding (nursing) pads, socks, flip-flops, cell phone and charger.
□ For Baby – full set of clothes and wrap to go home.
□ Car seat for a baby on discharge.

What we provide during your stay in the Hospital?
□ Nightwear – front opening for easier access whilst breastfeeding.
□ Manual pump or Electric breast pump.
□ If you are bottle feeding, we provide you with pre-sterilized bottles and formula milk, together with pacifiers if needed.
□ Newborn diapers, newborn wipes and newborn cosmetics (fragrance-free).
□ Newborn clothing during the hospital stay.
□ Sanitary pads, hotel style slippers.
□ Hair dryer.
□ Bottled water.

Labor & Delivery Team
Your dedicated care team includes obstetrician-gynecologists, neonatologists, anesthesiologists, registered nurses and midwives, food and nutrition staff, housekeeping staff.

Labor – support person
Normal delivery support person
One support person, usually the father of the baby, may accompany you during a routine vaginal delivery. The support person is not allowed to touch any equipment or supplies in the delivery room. Also, no phone calls are allowed during delivery.
C-section support person
One support person, usually the father of the baby, may accompany you during a routine or nonemergency C-section. It is important that this person remains seated in the operating room during the entire surgery, the nurse will let him know when and where he can take pictures of the newborn. The support person is not allowed to view the surgery, to videotape during the surgery, to touch any equipment or supplies. Also, no phone calls are allowed during the surgery.

Postnatal rooms
Our Postnatal floor has 15 beds that are in a mix of private rooms and semi-private rooms, based on the medical necessity and availability. All rooms feature:
□ A bathroom with a shower and hotel style towels.
□ A hospital bed that can be manually raised and lowered.
□ A bedside cabinet with overbed table.
□ A wardrobe for your belongings.
□ A fridge.
□ Flat-screen TV.
□ Cable TV channels.
□ Free wireless Internet access for your laptop or mobile device.
□ You also receive a “Welcome Pack” which contains samples of toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and shower cap.
□ Daily housekeeping.

Note: The average length of the stay for a woman with a vaginal delivery is 3 nights. A C-section typically requires 4-5 nights in the hospital. All accommodations in Postnatal rooms are subject to availability, if you do not receive the type of accommodation that you have preferred, we will aim at transferring you to your desired accommodation when/if it becomes available.

Rooming in
To promote feeding and bonding, we practice “Rooming in”. This means baby always stays by your side (except in Intensive Care Unit after a C-section) and is not taken to the nursery except for during the night hours (approximately from 10:00-12:00pm until 6:00-7:00am) when you need your time for rest. During your stay you will be guided by our midwives in baby bathing, dressing and settling techniques. Midwives will assist and support you in establishing the feeding method of your choice for your baby. And do not forget that our Well Baby Nursery is open and staffed 24 hours a day by experienced midwives.

Valuables
Please note that we cannot be responsible for any valuables brought into the ward and please remember to take everything home with you on discharge.

Visitors
We recognize that your family and friends are very excited about the new baby and they will provide valuable support for you and your partner. Our visiting hours are between 11:00-12:00 noon and 5:00-6:00pm daily. This enables you to rest and establish feeding. Rest period is between 12:00-4:00pm. Guests will not be allowed to visit during this period of time.

Newborn Immunizations and Tests
Newborn immunizations are administrated by our neonatologists. These immunizations are provided free of charge for all newborns from Bulgarian Ministry of Health (BCG (Tuberculosis) – within first 24 hours after birth and Hepatitis B – after 48th hour after birth). It is important parents to follow their child's immunization schedule after the discharge from the Hospital. If you refuse to have your child vaccinated, you have to sign a Refusal form for Vaccination.

Your baby will also undergo the following tests at the Hospital:
□ Newborn Hearing Screening.
□ Newborn Screening for Phenylketonuria (PKU), Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), Congenital hypothyroidism (CH).

Birth Registration
Documentation required for registration of the child:
□ Identity Card (ID Card) of the baby’s father.
□ A Marriage Certificate of the baby’s parents.
□ A Family Status Certificate must be submitted if a Marriage Certificate is not applicable.
□ A deed of a determination of the child’s last name.

Discharge procedure
On the day you and your baby are discharged, you will be able to make use of a special hall on the 1st floor of the Hospital’s Maternity Ward where you can gather family and friends (approximately 10 people) in order to present the new member of your family. At the hall there are cocktail tables and comfortable sofas where you can welcome your closest ones in order to celebrate the new life. You will have the hall at your disposal for 30-40min. The price is included in the delivery price package. Your attending Obstetrician will also approve the discharge and the Neonatologist will inform you on the health of your baby. This is the time when you or your partner has to settle your bill at the Payment Desk on the 1st floor of the Hospital. You will receive your discharge papers from the Attending Midwife at the Maternity Ward.