Labor and delivery

Penn Medicine obstetrics and maternity care has been welcoming babies since 1765. A lot has changed since then, but our commitment to parents and their babies hasn’t. Our labor and delivery specialists have the expertise to care for you before, during, and after birth—no matter how routine or complex your pregnancy is.

More babies are born at a Penn Medicine hospital than any other in the region. Our expertise and experience have earned many of our labor and delivery hospitals recognition for outstanding, patient-centered care, including earning Baby-Friendly® Hospital designations and perinatal care certifications from The Joint Commission.

Families who welcome their baby at a Penn Medicine hospital can expect:

• Expert medical care from OB/GYNs, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, nurses, and nurse midwives
• Breastfeeding support with certified lactation consultants
• Natural childbirth options
• Neonatal specialty care
• Pain management from skilled anesthesiologists
• Postpartum recovery care
• Childbirth and parenting education, including our SAFE sleep program

Our Level II and Level III NICUs care for premature infants and those born with a medical condition or complication. We partner with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to provide neonatal services and surgical care if necessary. Your baby receives around-the-clock monitoring and support from a team of nurses, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, and CHOP neonatologists (newborn specialists).

Support for families experiencing perinatal loss

We provide compassionate care and guidance to families who lose their child during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Our perinatal palliative care services help you navigate this difficult time and prepare a birth plan that honors your baby as you would like. Bereavement counselors will also check in with you to ensure you’re processing the loss in a healthy way and have the support you need to continue healing emotionally.

Reducing maternal morbidity and mortality

Penn Medicine is committed to reducing maternal health disparities and providing safe, equitable care to all patients before, during, and after childbirth. Our systemwide initiatives address the maternal morbidity and mortality crisis disproportionally affecting Black birthing parents.

Trauma-informed care

Childbirth can be a difficult experience for survivors of sexual abuse. Our specially trained labor and delivery teams provide sensitive and compassionate care. If you’re able, please let us know you’re a survivor of sexual abuse so we can provide you with support before, during, and after your labor.

24/7 Security

At Penn Medicine, your family’s safety is our top priority. All our labor and delivery hospitals have 24/7 on-site security equipped with the latest monitoring technology. Only registered visitors and staff have access to your room.