UPMC Magee-Womens in Central Pa. Provides Inclusive Labor and Delivery Services

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In 2024, more than 6,700 babies were born at UPMC Magee-Womens across the central Pa. region. And of those born, 1,328 babies (average of four babies a day!) set a record for the most deliveries at UPMC Lititz!

With these record-breaking numbers comes a large support team to help care for the patient and baby. Across the region, our teams include board-certified ob-gyns, maternal fetal medicine providers, behavioral health providers, certified nurse midwives, certified physician assistants, certified registered nurse practitioners, nurses, doulas, and lactation consultants to provide a full range of labor and delivery services, such as:

• Fetal monitoring — Continuous monitoring, which includes patients wearing monitors on their belly to track the fetal heart rate and contractions.

• Natural birth — For those who want to give birth without pain medication, we offer a range of alternative pain management supports. These include support with breathing techniques, position changes, water therapy, and more. We also welcome doulas and other visitors according to hospital policy.

• Doula support — A doula is a labor support person who received special training to provide nonmedical care (physical, emotional, and informational support) to pregnant patients before, during, and after they give birth. Through UPMC Magee-Womens, women who will deliver at UPMC Harrisburg have the option to connect with a doula and receive the support at no extra cost. There are many benefits associated with doula care, including successful vaginal births after caesarean sections, more exclusive breastfeeding, and more postpartum office visits.

• Assisted birth — The use of vacuum or forceps to deliver a baby in a vaginal birth can avoid a C-section.
• Labor induction — Labor inductions are offered, and the plan of care can be discussed with the patient’s provider.
• C-section — A Cesarean section, or C-section, is a surgical birth. Doctors plan scheduled C-sections in advance for appropriate patients. Patients may need an emergency C-section when labor stops progressing, the fetus is in distress, or for another reason. Our highly experienced surgical teams are ready to perform an emergency C-section anytime.
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) services — Our teams of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and respiratory therapists provide 24/7 care. Parents can assist with their newborn’s care, and we support parents in touching and holding their newborn whenever possible.
• Lactation consultants — Our lactation consulting services and breastfeeding support ensure breastfeeding success. Our lactation consultants offer education, suggestions, and encouragement to new parents. All our postpartum nurses have additional training in breastfeeding. Many are Certified Breastfeeding Counselors with advanced knowledge about lactation management.

The comprehensive team cares for and delivers babies at UPMC Carlisle, UPMC Hanover, UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC Lititz, and UPMC Memorial.

For more information about labor and delivery services at each of our central Pa. hospitals, please visit UPMC.com/CentralPaWomen