Labor and delivery

We pride ourselves on our excellent range of maternity services. When you choose one of our hospitals for your prenatal and maternity services, you also gain access to our hospitals and the services and amenities they offer.

Within our family of hospitals, you will find:

• Advanced neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)
• Breastfeeding support
• Childbirth classes and tours
• Fetal monitoring with centralized viewing at the nurses' station
• Large private rooms
• Secure maternity units
• Maternal-fetal care teams specializing in high-risk pregnancy care
• Pain management and childbirth delivery options to fit your preferences

You know your body better than anyone, and we trust your instincts. You choose how to manage your labor and delivery. Our pregnancy specialists will support you in your birth plan while ensuring your health and safety.

Our highly-trained OB/GYN's, physician associates, certified nurse midwives and nurses will attend to your needs throughout your entire labor and delivery process. To provide innovative care, our providers use advanced obstetrical technology and resources, including wireless fetal monitoring, on-site anesthesiologists and dedicated operating rooms for emergency cesarean sections (C-sections). We also offer alternative pain management techniques.

Midwifery and doula services

We are committed to collaborating with you to design a personalized birth plan. If you desire a low-intervention or unmedicated birth and that is a safe option for you and your baby, we will work with you to align your wishes with your experience. Some of our hospitals offer midwifery care from certified nurse midwives (CNMs). A CNM typically cares for women experiencing a routine, low-risk pregnancy and can support you throughout your pregnancy, labor, delivery and recovery.

We also support your decision to work with a doula, which is a professional labor assistant who will support you throughout and after your pregnancy. Although we don't have on-staff doulas, you are welcome to include a doula in your birth plan. If you choose to work with a doula or midwife, we can connect you to those who are affiliated with our doctors.

What is a "natural birth?"

"Natural birth" is a term sometimes used to describe an unmedicated birth. Mothers who give birth without pain medication may choose to use alternative pain management strategies, such as deep breathing, massage or immersion in water.

Mothers who choose an unmedicated birthing strategy will still receive comprehensive and quality care. When deciding how you want to give birth, we will support you in making the best choice for you and your baby.

Our hospitals offer maternity classes that help you and your family prepare for everything from labor and delivery to breastfeeding and newborn care. If you're interested, you can also book private tours of our maternity centers so you can get familiar with our modern and comfortable facilities before your big day. The tours are a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the birthing process or our services and amenities.

Our maternal-fetal medicine specialists (perinatologists) understand that not all pregnancies go as planned. If you or your baby is diagnosed with any conditions making your pregnancy high risk, we will provide quality specialized care. From preeclampsia to gestational diabetes, we treat a wide range of high-risk pregnancy services to help ensure a healthy delivery you and your baby.

The transition to parenthood can present some challenges, so it's our goal to make the shift easier and help you find joy and ease in your new role as a parent. Some of our services include:

• Family-centered care: We practice couplet care (also known as "rooming-in"), so you and your family can bond with your baby in a private setting. This means your baby stays with you in the room at all times, even during examinations. Additionally, you and your baby will be cared for by the same nurse.
• Skin-to-skin contact: We encourage skin-to-skin contact after birth. Immediately after your baby is born, we will place them bare-skinned on your chest. Skin-to-skin contact has many benefits, including lowering their stress level and regulating their temperature, heart rate and breathing. Getting skin-to-skin contact in the hours after delivery and during your time in the hospital helps boost these benefits.
• Help submitting your baby's birth documents: We will help collect and submit information for your baby's birth certificate and Social Security number.
• Baby photography: Our hospitals partner with newborn photographers for newborn portraits. If you wish to take advantage of this service, an online gallery of photos will be available for friends and family.
• Postpartum depression support and counseling: It’s natural to feel overwhelmed with the challenges of motherhood, but you don’t have to do it alone. We provide postpartum depression screenings, therapy and treatment services and a 24-Hour Behavioral Health Access Line at (804) 483-0050.
• Access to donor milk: If your baby needs more breast milk than you can supply, we offer donated breast milk.
• Neonatal intensive care: We care for ill and premature newborns in our hospitals' neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Our NICUs have advanced equipment, and our highly skilled neonatal doctors and nurses deliver family-centered care for your baby.

Breastfeeding support

Breastfeeding is a learned skill for you and your baby. If you plan on breastfeeding, you may need some assistance getting started. Our team of lactation consultants is committed to supporting you as you learn.

The decision to breastfeed is a personal choice. If you are interested, the CDC has studied the benefits of breastfeeding, which include:

• Protecting against some chronic health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and asthma
• Reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Strengthening their immune system and reducing risks for illnesses and infections

We also know that not all mothers choose to breastfeed and, sometimes, breastfeeding isn't a viable option for either mom or baby. In these cases, our lactation consultants can provide advice on healthy bottle feeding, proper formula preparation and other aspects of nourishing your baby.

Lactation support after discharge

We want to continue supporting you after you and your baby go home. We partner with various organizations to assist you in finding a breast pump and other lactation equipment to rent or purchase. We can also connect you with a lactation consultant, some of whom offer at-home consultations.

Sometimes, babies need a little extra support after birth. Our hospitals are equipped with neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). We staff our NICUs with expert neonatal specialists trained to care for sick and premature newborns.

All of our childbirth and newborn care is oriented around your family. While your baby is staying in the NICU, we understand that you want to stay by your baby's side and be there to comfort them. We encourage you to be present throughout their care and we will work to keep you informed and involved in your baby's treatment process. We know you are eager to bring your baby home, so we work quickly to get your little one healthy enough to go home.