Women & Babies Hospital visitor policies
Masking guidelines
Updated Jan. 13, 2026
There are high rates of flu and other respiratory viruses in our region. To help keep everyone safe, Penn Medicine suggests that all patients and visitors wear masks in our hospitals and practices. Patients with a cough, runny nose, or other respiratory symptoms will be asked to wear a mask during their visit, and visitors with symptoms will be asked not to visit.
Patients, visitors, and staff must continue to wear masks in areas where patients with weakened immune systems receive care. This includes:
- Emergency Department and urgent care waiting rooms
- Dedicated cancer, radiation oncology, and transplant clinics
- Infusion centers
Staff will also wear masks while directly caring for all patients.
Visiting hours
Visiting hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with some extended hours as described below. Visit the welcome desk inside our front entrance to get a visitor’s badge to wear during your stay.
Visitor guidelines
We have specific guidelines for different areas within the hospital:
- Triage: Visitors are limited to one person per patient.
- Labor and delivery: For safety reasons, only three visitors may be in the room at one time. This includes the expectant mother’s support person or labor coach. Visitors may rotate in and out.
- After delivery: Visitation is unlimited for mom’s support person. He or she is encouraged to stay 24/7 and is welcome to sleep on the furniture provided. Other friends and family may visit between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.. New mothers may request quiet time whenever they like. Lights are dimmed between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Siblings are encouraged to visit during normal visiting hours and must be supervised. Siblings may not spend the night.
- NICU: For the safety of our smallest patients, our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has special visitation policies.
Smoking policy
Lancaster General Health is a tobacco-free organization. Tobacco use of any kind is prohibited anywhere on Women & Babies Hospital grounds.
Cellphones and electronics
Cellphones are permitted in most areas, except triage, post-surgical recovery areas, and the NICU. Bluetooth devices and two-way radios are not permitted inside the hospital, as they can interfere with sensitive electronic equipment. Videotaping is prohibited during delivery.