Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum Services at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital
The birthing experience at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital is unique. Highly personalized labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care is focused on the needs and desires of mothers and their families. During a mother’s stay, our maternal healthcare team assists in labor, delivery and recovery, providing care in a compassionate manner while also utilizing the latest technology.
West Penn Hospital is a major referral center for high-risk fetal care. With expertise in preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, diabetes and hypertension in pregnancy, targeted fetal ultrasound, antepartum testing and fetal therapy, including fetal blood transfusion.
Beautiful Accommodations
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital offers obstetric suites that are specifically designed to meet the needs – and wishes – of today’s mothers.
Fifteen beautifully furnished birthing suites are available at West Penn Hospital, as well as three operating rooms and six triage (outpatient) beds. The suites contain all the comforts of home, as well as the necessary equipment healthcare professionals need to provide families with leading-edge care. Each suite is decorated with soft lighting, soothing wallpaper, beautiful artwork and hardwood floors to provide a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. All of the suites have televisions and VCRs and some are even equipped with Jacuzzi bathtubs. The furnishings conceal advanced technology that can be accessed immediately to provide care – including critical care – for mothers and infants.
Operative delivery rooms are located near the suites to meet the needs of women who may require a cesarean delivery. A husband or significant other may stay with the mother through her cesarean delivery, and if the baby is stable, he or she can remain with the mother throughout her recovery.
A mother will remain in the LDR for about 2-4 hours after delivery. At that time, most moms and babies will be moved to 6 East or 5 North, which are equipped with private rooms and a large newborn nursery. Five North is easily accessible to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).Patients requiring continuous fetal monitoring are admitted to the Labor and Delivery Unit (located on 5 East) or 5 West where high-risk patients will be monitored before delivery.
Comfortable Care
To provide the utmost in comfort, a full range of anesthesia services, including epidural, spinal and general anesthesia, are available 24 hours a day. Though the newest methods in epidural analgesia allow women to feel less discomfort during labor and throughout their delivery, The Western Pennsylvania Hospital also supports women who choose an anesthesia-free childbirth experience.
A “Family-Centered Care” Philosophy
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital promotes a “family-centered care” philosophy. Simply stated, mothers, fathers and significant others are encouraged to spend as much time as possible bonding with their infants. Newborns can remain in their mothers’ suites throughout their stay. Overnight same-room facilities for new fathers and significant others offer parents an opportunity to become directly and immediately involved with the care of their newborns.
Secure Surroundings
The Department of Obstetrics employs a state-of-the-art infant security system, equipped with monitors and sensor tags. Obstetric nurses will review the security measures in place with patients during their Hospital stay.
Education and Breast Feeding
- Childbirth Education
- West Penn Hospital Lactation Center
Maternal/Child Health Services
- Neonatal Intensive Care
- Pediatric Care
- Infant Apnea Center
- Pediatric VIEW
- Pediatric Development
Childbirth Support Services
- Newborn Nutrition
- Car Seat Safety
- Choosing a Pediatrician
- Free Pregnancy and Parenting Email Newsletter
Additional Patient Information and Education
- Newborn Photographs
- Social Services
- Birth Certificates and Social Security Numbers
- Newborn Hearing Screening, Hepatitis B Vaccine and Shaken Baby Syndrome
Arriving at West Penn Hospital
- Directions within the Hospital
- Laboratory Testing
- Outpatient Procedures and/or Inductions
- Going into Labor
- Planned Cesarean Sections
Assisting Visitors and Friends
- Parking Services
- Visiting Hours
- Photography
- Patient Privacy
- Cafeteria and Gift Shop
Supplies to Bring to the Hospital
- For Mom
- For Baby
- For Labor
- Miscellaneous
Bereavement Information
- Pregnancy Loss
- Angel Heart Perinatal Bereavement Team
- Care of the Family
- Memorial Services
- Extended Services
