The labor and birth of a child is an exciting, life-changing event. At The Family Place, we invite moms to give birth to their babies in a way that works best for them.

Our private birthing rooms, with whirlpool bath, provide a comfortable environment for labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care. Dim lighting and relaxing music are also available to help create a peaceful atmosphere. Moms are welcome to bring their own clothes and music. Each room includes a CD player.

Visitors, labor support and siblings are welcome in the room. Moms decide whom they want present during their labor and delivery and share this information with their nurse upon admission.

The Family Place offers a variety of comfort techniques for labor and birth, including:

• Relaxation and breathing
• Shower or bath
• Whirlpool baths
• Massage and/or pressure
• Walking and changing positions
• Birthing ball, rolling pin, tennis ball, manual massager, cold packs, birthing stool
• Sterile water injections for back labor
• Medications
• Epidurals

We DO NOT routinely keep babies in the nursery, insert IVs or perform enemas and shaving.

The birth partner may choose to cut the umbilical cord and is encouraged give the baby's first bath. This person is also welcome to bring his or her own food for nourishment during the hospital stay.

We encourage direct skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby for comfort and temperature control immediately after birth. Moms choosing to breastfeed may do so during this time. The baby is weighed and bathed about 60 to 90 minutes after birth.

In the event of a Cesarean birth, moms will see their baby being weighed and examined on the warmer bed while in the operating room. They may be able to briefly hold their baby at this time and bond more closely and breastfeed upon return to the room.