Special Services

Birth Announcements

Before you and your baby leave ECM, your nurse will bring you a form in which, if you concent, the hospital PR staff will send them to THE TIMES DAILY for publication. Birth announcements run in the Sunday editions of the paper.

Baby Pictures

If you happen to forget your camera while packing your bag for the hospital, we have cameras available to purchase in our Gift Shop or at the labor and delivery Women's Pavilion Nurses' Station when the Gift Shop is closed. We encourage videotaping or the taking of still photographs before and after your baby's delivery to capture the memories created at this special time.

Following delivery, your newborn's picture will be taken in the nursery. You may choose to provide us with a special gown or clothing for this photograph. This photo will be sent to our baby portrait company for processing and within a few weeks you should receive a photo package for your review. You are under no obligation, but may wish to purchase photos from this package. You will be asked to send your money or return the package directly to the professional photo company – Hospital Baby Portraits.

Babies on the Web

An additional free option is the placement of your baby's pictures on our website. By marking the appropriate box on the request form, your baby's picture will be available for review on our site (www.ecmhospital.com) within 72 hours. Our nursing staff will provide you with the appropriate password to gain access to your baby's picture.

Birth Certificates and Social Security Numbers

Our birth certificate clerk will call you while you are in the hospital to obtain information for your baby's birth certificate, which you will receive from the state. An application for a Social Security number is automatically filed for you with the state of Alabama. You should receive your child's number within three to six months.

Online Services

You may pre-register for admission to the hospital online via our website. Just go to www.ecmhospital.com and follow the directions listed there. In addition, you can sign up and even pay for Childbirth Education classes at this site.

Childbirth Education Classes

We offer a variety of classes for the entire family designed to be helpful before, during and after your delivery. Breathing techniques, parenting, newborn care and breastfeeding are just a few things we discuss in our classes. Brothers and sisters-to-be enrolled in our Siblings classes get to take home a free big brother or sister T-shirt and our Grandparenting classes offer helpful reminders and new information to first-time grandmothers and granddads. A complete class schedule with dates and times can be found on our website at www.ecmhospital.com or by calling our Baby Help Line at (256) 768-BABY (2229). Parking at ECM is free for all Childbirth Education classes and tours of the Women's Pavilion.

Certified Car Seat Instructors

Our trained staff will be glad to provide you with installation instructions in accordance with Alabama law and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Check the website www.ecmhospital.com or call (256) 768-BABY to find out when the next Car Seat Check will be, or to schedule an appointment.

Family Learning Center

Expectant parents can attend Childbirth Education classes in the Family Learning Center, which is located as you enter The Women's Pavilion on the 4th floor, just to the left of the central elevators. We offer night and weekend classes in order to better meet the needs of our family's schedules. Parking in the deck adjacent to the hospital is free to those who attend these classes.

Tours of The Women's Pavilion

Tours are available upon request. We want you to be familiar with The Women's Pavilion before you come to ECM to deliver. If you can't come during one of the regular scheduled times, just call our Baby Help Line at (256) 768-BABY (2229) and let us know what works for you. We'll be glad to show you around at a time that suits you best. Free parking is available when you come for your tour.

Thank you for choosing The Women's Pavilion at ECM Hospital for your birthing experience. Nothing gives us more pleasure than playing a special role in this important event in your life.