Labor & Delivery

We are committed to providing you with a birthing experience that is as natural and comfortable as possible. We welcome and encourage your partner or support person to be with you through the entire birthing process.

Private and Comfortable Birthing Rooms

You will have a private room for your labor and delivery. Each room is furnished with a bassinet for your baby and an extra bed so your partner, labor coach or another loved one may sleep over.

After your baby is born, you will both be moved to a private room in the Women’s and Children’s Unit for postpartum care. Families are encouraged to room together, a nursery is available should your baby require special care.

During Labor

A fetal monitor is used during labor to carefully monitor your baby. If you don’t have an epidural catheter in place, you are welcome to use a labor tub and shower to help you relax. Nurses provide help with therapies like meditation, guided imagery and gentle stretching with or without labor balls. You can also bring aromatherapy reeds or oils, though candles are not permitted. The in-hospital C.A.R.E. television channel provides 24/7 music, images and spoken affirmations designed to soothe and help reduce pain and stress.

Pain Control

A mix of pain control options are available. If medication or anesthesia is needed, you will be cared for by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Alternatives to medication are also available for pain relief. Options include:

• Aromatherapy. Use of essential oils to promote relaxation and reduce pain and nausea.
• Epidural. A catheter is placed at the base of your spine and a local anesthesia is injected to block nerve impulses and sensations in the lower part of your body. You will also receive intravenous fluids.
• Hydrotherapy. Immersion in warm water that provides relaxation and pain relief.
• IV pain medication. Medication is delivered intravenously that helps you relax and reduces pain.
• Local anesthesia. A small dose of anesthesia is injected to help numb the region between the vagina and the rectum to decrease your delivery pain or pain association with tearing. Perineal massage and lubricant may be used to help prevent tearing.
• Nitrous Oxide. Nitrous oxide is self-administered, so you feel more control over pain relief. Nitrous oxide will not eliminate pain, but it can dull pain and lessen anxiety. It’s a good option to help relieve anxiety and to help you to be able to move more during labor.
• Remifentanil Patient Controlled Analgesia. A strong and fast acting pain medication delivered intravenously through a special pump called a PCA (patient controlled analgesia) that allows you to control the administration of this pain medication.

Cesarean Section (C-section)

If you have planned to deliver your baby via cesarean section or an emergency C-section becomes necessary to safely deliver your baby, the procedure will be performed in a hospital operating room under regional or general anesthesia. The average C-section takes less than an hour, and, in most cases, your partner, support person or birthing coach may be present during the procedure.