Labor & Delivery

At Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, we care for mothers and their children, even before they are born, with our award winning, high-quality maternity services.

No matter the type of birth (vaginal or cesarean) or choice for un-medicated birth or medicine for pain management, our board-certified obstetricians and anesthesiologists provide all the support you need for a safe labor and delivery and are available 24/7.

With more than 3,000 babies delivered each year, our center has the experience you can count on and a mother, baby and family-centered approach you can trust.

Why Choose Us For Your Baby’s Delivery

• We’re recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield as being among the best in the state for maternity care
• Our c-section delivery rate for first-time moms (NTSV) is on the state honor roll
• If you need a cesarean, we have clear drapes, skin to skin in the OR, and a family centered process
• When induction is medically necessary we have an 80-85% success rate for vaginal delivery
• We were named the first Baby Friendly Children's hospital in the country for encouraging breastfeeding for all newborns, giving them a healthy start
• We support and encourage breastfeeding, with inpatient and outpatient lactation services
• We offer educational classes and physical fitness programs to prepare you for the birth of your baby
• We offer post-partum support classes on the birthing unit to help prepare you for returning home with your baby

The Birthing Process

We know the birth of your baby is one of life’s precious miracles. Our up to twelve private labor, delivery and recovery suites are designed to give you the birth experience you want.

• New birthing beds allow for many delivery positions and comfort throughout your delivery
• Your coach and up to three other people can be present to support you during the birth
• Our expert physicians and nurses ensure compassionate care for a positive and safe delivery for both low risk and high risk deliveries
• Anesthesiologists are always available to provide epidural pain medicine and support in emergencies
• If a C-section delivery becomes necessary, experienced physician team will deliver your baby in one of our three surgical suites

The Sacred Hour

The first hour after your baby is born is the perfect time to begin bonding. Skin-to-skin contact helps your baby stay warm, relax, transition, and breathe easier. This quiet time together lets you get to know your baby and promotes breastfeeding.

What to Expect During the Sacred Hour

In a typical vaginal delivery, the Sacred Hour will begin directly after birth. Your chest will be bare and baby will be placed on your tummy, naked and not wrapped. You and your baby will be covered with a blanket with baby's head out. If there is a medical reason that keeps you from immediate skin to skin, it may be started as soon as possible.

In a planned or non-emergent cesarean section you will be offered the option of having the skin to skin and bonding experience in the operating room. After a brief assessment, if both you and the baby are doing well, the baby will be placed on your chest with the assistance of a nurse. As your cesarean section concludes, your baby will be taken to the nursery but will rejoin you as soon as possible.

In both scenarios, we routinely perform delayed cord clamping for at least one minute.

Family Participation

The first hour after birth is a special time when the new baby and parents become a family. You can honor and support this by:

• Leaving mother and baby skin-to-skin (uninterrupted) until after the first breastfeeding
• Keep the room quiet and calm so baby can hear mostly the parent's voices
• Enjoy watching baby's amazing, natural, and instinctive feeding behaviors

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding provides healthy nutrients your baby needs and prevents infection. We support our new mothers in exclusive breastfeeding, from before baby is born, after birth and at home.

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends breastfeeding for at least 6 months because of the many health benefits it provides, including:

• Nutrients more easily used by baby
• Nutrients needed for optimum brain and nervous system growth
• Eyes that work better, thanks to the fats in breastmilk
• Fewer digestive lung and ear infections
• Lower risks for many conditions, including SIDS, asthma and allergies
• Less diarrhea
• Enhanced mom and baby bonding

We encourage and support breastfeeding within the guidelines of our Baby Friendly initiative.  If breastfeeding is not right for you due to medical, religious, or other reasons, our staff is here to support you through the process as well.