Exceptional Doctors, Midwives and Nurses.
The OBGYN team at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) is recognized across the country for its excellence in care. The hospital’s labor and delivery and postpartum teams offer highly trained and board-certified obstetricians, neonatologists, and anesthesiologists, midwives, residents and nurses to help patients enjoy a safe and healthy birth. All of our team members, and their specialized skills, are available ‘round the clock.
A Comfortable, Caring Environment.
We have 13 beautiful and spacious labor and delivery suites. Our patients enjoy private showers, sleeper lounge chairs for your support person, comfortable family waiting areas and spectacular views of Center City Philadelphia.
Here are a few additional options designed for the comfort and safety of you and your baby:
- Partner can sleep in room
- Quiet time for bonding with baby
- Enhanced infant security
- Immediate skin-to-skin parent-baby bonding
Childbirth Education.
The more you know what to expect when you’re expecting, the more comfortable you will feel when it’s time to deliver. Our Childbirth and Parent Classes are designed to help prepare you both before and after your baby is born and include:
- Tour of the Maternity Unit
- Prepared Childbirth
- C-Section
- Breastfeeding
- Newborn Care
Comfort in Childbirth.
A range of services is offered to help with the pain of childbirth. Anesthesia service is available 24 hours a day for epidural pain relief. Labor support and expert assistance from midwives and nurses in natural pain management are available as well.
Breastfeeding Support.
Our breastfeeding experts will help you with advice and support. They can also help you choose supplies and accessories so you can make breastfeeding work for you and your baby. The World Health Organization and UNICEF have certified HUP as a “Baby-Friendly” hospital because of its outstanding support for breastfeeding families. Learn more about breastfeeding support services we offer.
High Risk Pregnancy Care.
Our team of high-risk obstetricians(also known as maternal fetal specialists) are experts in all complications of pregnancy for both mothers and babies, including diabetes in pregnancy, HIV and pregnancy, and addictions in pregnancy and will work to ensure that each patient has the safest possible delivery.
Highest Level of Neonatal Care.
Sometimes babies are born too early or with various health challenges that require extra care and observation in the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN.) The HUP ICN is a level III unit–the highest level of neonatal (newborn) care available. Our highly trained neonatologists (pediatricians who specialize in the care of premature and sick babies), nursing staff and other specialists will care for your newborn and assist you with acquiring the necessary skills to care for your baby at home.
Excellence in Postpartum Care.
After your baby is born, you will transition to the postpartum maternity unit. Nurses will help get you started with feeding your baby and will teach you child-care basics such as bathing and dressing your newborn. A lactation specialist will provide breastfeeding support to those who decide to breastfeed. Healthy babies and their parents stay together day and night and practice “rooming in” so they can get to know each other.