Labor & Delivery

Good Samaritan University Hospital's labor and delivery physicians, nurses and support staff are responsible for the mother and newborn's well being. Accommodations include:

• Single patient rooms (reserved at request) that are modern, family-centered and attractive. The oversized room is the setting for the labor, delivery and recovery of the birthing experience.
• Following delivery, the infant is placed by the mother's bedside so that the vital bonding process can begin.

Expectant mothers who have been classified with a high-risk pregnancy are cared for through our maternal-fetal medicine program. These patients can be assured that they are in the region's most comprehensive facility for their baby, which includes a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)—the highest level NICU on the South Shore of Suffolk County.

Take a 360 degree tour of our maternity services

Explore our Baby Friendly program

The family-centered care services at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital strive to achieve the best possible healthy outcomes for mother, baby and supporting family members.

Highlights of our maternity program:

• First and only hospital in Suffolk County to receive “Baby-Friendly” designation by Baby-Friendly USA, an organization that supports mother and baby bonding through breastfeeding.
• Infant safety is top priority. Families will be invited to the infant safety program to help maintain a safe environment. Our staff wear a unique red heart to identify themselves.
• Recovery room for mothers recovering from a cesarean section.
• 24-hour anesthesia coverage.
• Free lactation counseling services. All nurses are qualified to assist our mothers with breastfeeding. Many are certified breastfeeding counselors.
• Newborn nursery where babies are cared for by a pediatrician and nurses instruct on caring for and feeding babies.
• Postpartum unit for recovery after birth offers private rooms.
• "Rooming-in" is recommended, encouraged and supported by all staff to give optimal opportunity for greater recovery and bonding for mother, baby and supporting family.
• Education programs to help with the entire pre- and post-birthing experience, including Mothers' Circle of Hope: Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder Support Group.

Tour our maternity unit

The newly renovated Maternal/Child Pavilion at St. Charles Hospital caters to postpartum mothers, newborns and families.

St. Charles Hospital specializes in "couplet care," which stands apart from standard maternity nursing care. This approach to maternity care means that mother and baby share the same nurse. As a result, the nurse has first-hand knowledge of baby's health and can provide individualized instructions at bedside and show how to care for and feed baby until the mother is comfortable on her own.

Other highlights of our maternity program include:

• "Steps to Parenthood" classes: what to expect during childbirth; information about breastfeeding and C-sections; and tours of the maternity unit.
• Maternity unit includes private rooms with private bathrooms.
• 24-hour anesthesia coverage.
• Universal rooming-in for healthy mothers and babies. This means your baby will stay with you and your partner throughout your entire hospital stay. Our goal is to always support and meet the needs of both the mother and infant.
• Nursery available if needed.
• Lactation services. St. Charles Hospital's certified lactation consultants and lactation counselors offer private, one-on-one instruction and answer all questions. We host a breastfeeding support group for mothers who want continued support after they have returned home with their infants.
• All new moms receive a complimentary three course maternity "Dinner for Two" the night before they go home with their newborn.

Mercy Hospital offers comprehensive maternity care and educational services before, during and after pregnancy.

Our maternity wing and labor, delivery and recovery rooms create a comfortable home-like setting. Our Mother/Baby Care Program lets a mother and her child receive care from the same nurse.

On July 18, 2000, New York state signed into law the Abandoned Infant Protection Act, which made it legal for a mother to leave her baby at a Safe Haven within the first five days of life and ensured the mother would not be prosecuted for abandonment and established that police would not investigate.

The child promptly receives medical attention and Child Protective Services will ensure the child finds a home.

When a mother arrives at a Catholic Health hospital with the child, she is not required to provide information. For the baby’s benefit, she may offer information about her family medical history. This information can be provided then or the mother may opt to complete a questionnaire and return it by mail. All information will be kept confidential and the mother’s identity will be protected. The baby, and the mother (if requested), will receive medical treatment.