At Piedmont Atlanta, we're committed to supporting your new family's well-being throughout your journey - physically and emotionally. The birth of your baby can trigger a variety of powerful emotions, from excitement and joy to feeling overwhelmed, fear and anxiety. It can also result in something most don't expect; anxiety and/or depression.
It is common for new moms to experience postpartum "baby blues" after childbirth, which can include mood swings, crying episodes, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. "Baby blues" typically begin within the first two to three days after delivery, and may last for up to two weeks.
Though these symptoms may subside over time, some new moms experience a longer-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression and, in extreme circumstances, postpartum psychosis. Mothers and families must understand that this is not a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes, it's simply a complication of pregnancy and birth.
New Parent Support Group
Piedmont Atlanta Women’s Center is committed to support you throughout your journey, including your postpartum journey. We offer a support group to add an extra layer of support in the first few months of parenthood. New parents and families are encouraged to join our postpartum support group where you can meet other new parents, share challenges, and celebrate victories. This group is peer-led by you and other parents, but facilitated by registered nurses who are also moms! This group meets via Zoom twice a month from 11:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Upcoming Dates: Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Please email Deanne.smith@piedmont.org to be added to the email list for Zoom link.
Patient Testimonial about the New Parent Support Group
"Community. Compassion. Support. Trust...This group has been a lifesaver for me. I joined about two months after having my daughter. Mentally I was not in a good place and was feeling very secluded. This group gave me hope and reminded me that I am not the only one going through this season, that I am not alone and that my feelings are valid. It has brought me so much joy to get to know the other women in the group and have the support in this new season. This group has made a very isolating time, feel more hopeful. I found this group recently after I gave birth, and to have the support that this group offered, was life changing. It got me through one of the hardest times in my life."
NICU Parent Support Group
The NICU support group will give parents an outlet to obtain all the resources that are needed to navigate the NICU journey. Topics such as mental health, self-care, community resources, caring for a NICU baby, and life after the NICU will be discussed. This group meets via Webex once a month.
Upcoming Dates: Second Tuesday of each month.
Please email Ashley Green at ashley.green@piedmont.org to be added to the email list for Webex link.
Post-Birth Warning Signs
These could be signs of very serious complications. If you can’t reach a healthcare provider, go to the emergency room. Be sure to tell them you are pregnant or were pregnant within the last year.
Post-Birth Warning Signs Fact Sheet
Lactation Support
You may know that breastfeeding has benefits for your baby. By choosing to breastfeed, you're providing the best source of nutrition for your new baby. Plus, breastfeeding promotes bonding and contributes to your baby's emotional development.
Breastfeeding Facts
Taking Care Of Your Baby
Infant CPR
Infant CPR class is geared toward instructing parents and family members on the basic steps of Infant CPR. Infant is defined as any child less than one year of age.
Infant CPR Classes
Baby Basics
This class focuses on teaching you how to care for your newborn when you bring them home from the hospital and the transition period between newborn and infant. The class discusses feeding, diapering, swaddling techniques, soothing, bathing, safety, and when to call the doctor. This is a hands-on class with demonstrations and time to practice. This class does not include Infant CPR – please register separately for that class.
Baby Basics Classes
Premature Baby Care
When a baby arrives earlier than expected, families are concerned about their baby's health and development and may worry about caring for their baby at home. At Piedmont, premature infants are placed in specially designed isolettes for warmth and safety. This carefully regulated environment helps ensure the baby will thrive. Unfortunately, this isolation also causes parents to be separated from their baby. Piedmont addresses this by allowing parents and premature babies to experience physical closeness. During special sessions, the infant's dressed only in a diaper - rests against the parent's chest, skin-to-skin. This physical contact gives the baby positive stimulation and promotes bonding between parent and baby. Mothers can also use these sessions to encourage their babies to breast-feed.
Premature Baby Care Facts
NICU Parent Handbook
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team provides subspecialty care and comprehensive services for at-risk and medically fragile newborns a comfortable, supportive environment. It features advanced technology, enhanced space around incubators for ease of access, and special lighting controls. Neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, specialized nurses, and respiratory therapists help newborns gain the strength needed to begin life outside the hospital. The team may also include a trained neonatal transport team which uses a specially equipped vehicle to provide services throughout the region.
Several of our locations - Athens, Atlanta, Columbus, Fayette, Henry, Newnan and Rockdale - have a Level III NICU designation. This means we have the capability to provide comprehensive care for infants ranging from extremely low birth weight to full-term requiring specialized interventions. The unit also provides advanced respiratory support, advanced imaging and access to pediatric medical sub-specialists such as pediatric cardiologists and pediatric neurologists. Piedmont Athens' helistop also allows for transfers from other area hospitals with babies in need of advanced medical care.
Piedmont Newton has a Level II Special Care Nursery for infants needing the care of neonatologists and neonatal nurses.
NICU Parent Handbook
Friends and Family
This course is designed for non-healthcare providers/lay rescuers (expecting parents, family members, babysitters, or anyone who wants to learn CPR but doesn’t need it for a job). This course teaches lay rescuers how to recognize and treat life-threatening emergencies, including cardiac arrest and the choking adult, child, and infant victim. It also provides demonstration and practice of an AED for an adult and child cardiac arrest victim. Course cards are on the back of the student book.
Friends and Family Classes
Other Maternity Resources
Donor Milk
The donor milk programs at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital ensure that donated breast milk is available to NICU babies if their mother is unable to produce her own milk. Research shows that when compared to formula-fed preemies, premature infants who are fed breast milk have a lower mortality rate, a shorter length of stay in the hospital and often have improved neurologic and developmental outcomes.
Potential donors with a surplus of breast milk can apply online through a simple, hassle-free process that ensures infants born too soon receive the nutrition they need.
Become a Breast Milk Donor
Cord Blood Donation
By donating your child’s cord blood, you are providing a life-saving opportunity for someone else. Cord blood stem cells can help treat leukemia and other blood-borne diseases, as well as support research efforts. Because there are not enough cord blood matches at public banks for African-Americans and Hispanics who need treatment, donations made by African-American and Hispanic parents can help fill a critical need among minorities. Cord blood donation for expectant parents is safe for both mother and child, and the process is simple. When you are admitted to the hospital, you will be asked whether you would like to donate. If you choose to, a patient representative will complete the appropriate paperwork to obtain your consent. A nurse will also draw your blood sample. After your baby is born, the cord blood will be collected by your doctor, along with the delivery of the afterbirth. If you choose not to donate your newborn’s umbilical cord blood, it will be discarded.
Piedmont Atlanta offers new parents an opportunity to make a life-saving donation of their newborn baby’s umbilical cord blood to Life Cleveland Cord Blood Center (CCBC) — Ohio’s first and only public cord blood bank. Public cord blood donation to CCBC is currently available at no cost to our patients and can be done at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital.
Cord Blood Donation Information