Choosing a hospital for labor and delivery? Here’s what to consider

This paid piece is sponsored by Sanford Health.

Any expecting parent likely would say planning for a baby is a lot of work.

One of the big considerations is where to get pregnancy care leading up to labor and delivery to ensure a healthy mom and healthy baby along the way.

Dr. Elizabeth Miller is a Sanford Women’s specialist in obstetrics and gynecology and sees patients from the preconception visits and prenatal care to labor, delivery and postpartum care.

“This is such an important topic, and I think people get really excited because this is one of the first big decisions that parents are making,” Miller said.

What to consider when selecting a birthplace

Miller recommends choosing a place that provides safe, evidence-based care and supports women and parents in their decisions through the whole birth process.

“Patients have a decision to make about the provider they would like to see during their prenatal care and for delivery,” Miller said.

Each type of provider offers a slightly different take on pregnancy care. There are many options to find a great fit for you.

Obstetricians and gynecologists, or OB/GYNs, are trained in both obstetrics and gynecology, making them experts in women’s health. Obstetrics includes pregnancy care, while gynecology involves care for all women’s health issues. Additionally, OB/GYNs have surgical expertise and can provide cesarean sections.

Midwives take a holistic approach to women’s health care but work together with physicians through collaboration, connection and referrals. Their philosophy focuses on educating patients and encouraging them to make choices for themselves. Typically, they will see women with low-risk pregnancies. Some people may be surprised to learn that, in addition to pregnancy care, midwives provide a full suite of women’s health services, including gynecologic care, pap tests, family planning and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.

Family medicine providers care for all family members, from babies to seniors, and can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. Over time, family medicine providers get to know you well and understand all aspects of your health. For some, this adds another level of comfort and trust throughout their pregnancy care since they also can care for your new baby. Be sure to confirm that your family medicine provider offers prenatal care and will deliver babies.

Planning for birth

Ask yourself what type of birthing experience you want.

“This is a really exciting time, but it is also such a huge transition,” Miller said. “You are preparing to take home a baby and learning about the actual care of the infant, but there’s also so much learning that goes into the birthing process.”

Health care providers encourage expecting mothers and their partners to explore options for their optimal birthing experience whether it’s a low-intervention vaginal birth, vaginal birth with pain management, C-section or vaginal birth after a C-section.

At the Birth Place, Sanford’s care teams are ready to support the birthing mom with little to no intervention or anesthesiologists to provide relief with epidurals and other IV medication options for pain management in preparation for a safe delivery.

“We support women who might not want to use things for pain medication, who might want to labor in the tub or be able to move around during labor,” Miller explained. “We have water birth suites, which are unique in this area. Even if patients aren’t interested in a water birth, they can still labor in the tub, and water can be very therapeutic, especially in the early labor process.”

Wireless monitoring allows the birthing mother to move about freely during the early stages of labor.

“I highly encourage patients to talk with their OB provider, who is giving their prenatal care, about their options during the prenatal visits,” Miller said. “The provider is the one who knows the patient the best, and in talking through birth wishes, we know the things they’re looking for, and then we can talk about those in more detail with them.”

If pregnancy is considered high-risk, your chosen provider may recommend seeing a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for prenatal care in preparation for birth.

Birth can be unpredictable.

“Our favorite thing is when we can have a healthy vaginal delivery for mom and baby, but there are times when things change and our plans change, and you want to be in a place that can change those plans quickly and support mom and baby,” Miller said.

If something were to happen during birth that requires a change of course, minutes count.

Having the right staff in-house 24/7 – physicians, anesthesia, NICU providers – who communicate and assemble quickly can make all the difference in the birthing experience for everyone involved.

After baby, entering postpartum care

Choosing an integrated health care system for your pregnancy care means a pediatrician can stop by to check in right after birth. If baby has any additional needs, they can address them quickly while you’re still in the hospital.

Access to a neonatal intensive care unit is critical if the need arrives. Knowing that expert infant care is available can bring peace of mind during the birthing process.

“There is a seamless transition from prenatal to postpartum care with the obstetrics provider,” Miller said. “That’s our goal.”

The care team will assist in scheduling follow-up appointments to make sure mom is healing and baby is healthy and progressing normally.

Other ways to plan ahead for baby

It’s good to consider other services available for added support during and after pregnancy.

Pregnancy navigators, lactation specialists and breastfeeding support, and pregnancy and parenting classes can help you feel prepared for labor, delivery, breastfeeding and caring for your baby beyond their birth.

Explore more of your options with local pregnancy care at Sanford Health.