Labor & Delivery
Get the birth experience you want and feel confident you’ll be cared for by a compassionate, experienced mother-baby team at the Women's & Children's Hospital in San Antonio.
What to Expect
When you choose University Health to deliver your baby, you’ll have a team of experts to support you through prenatal care, labor and childbirth. All deliveries, postpartum and newborn care take place at the Women's & Children's Hospital.
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, count on us for the most advanced approaches to protect the health of you and your infant.
Patient- and Family-Centered Care
When your baby is on its way, we’ll encourage you and care your needs. Your partner is invited to participate and support you during childbirth. Enjoy a private labor and delivery room and a comfortable setting for your partner.
Your Birthing Plan
Work with your doctor or midwife during your pregnancy to prepare a birthing plan. Expect our team to respect your choices and accommodate as many of your wishes as possible. Our number one priority is to keep you and your baby healthy and safe during delivery.
When You’re in Labor
Go to the labor and delivery unit at the Women's & Children's Hospital when your labor contractions start. Your team will admit and register you in your private hospital room.
Stages of Labor
Stages of labor differ from woman to woman. Though serious complications are rare, sometimes problems happen. Prepare for the unexpected by talking to your doctor about your preferences ahead of time.
Rest assured, if your care needs change during labor and delivery, we’ll respond quickly. Rely on us to have an entire specialized care team available 24/7 to take care of you.
Managing Labor Pain
Find options to help you manage your labor pain. Dedicated anesthesiologists are in the hospital around-the-clock to assist you with pain relief. We’re equipped to offer you:
- Natural labor management
- Breathing techniques
- Hypnobirthing
- Massage therapy
- Positioning
- Relaxation methods
- Regional analgesia
- Epidural
- Spinal block
Doulas
A doula is a trained professional who offers guidance and emotional support during labor. Your doula is welcome here at the Women's & Children's Hospital to support your labor.
Bonding with Your Baby
Connect with your newborn right after birth. You’ll receive support if you and your partner want to participate in:
- Delayed cord clamping – Increases hemoglobin levels and iron in your baby’s blood
- Skin-to-skin contact – Calms and warms your baby through cuddling
- “Golden Hour” – Uninterrupted bonding for the first hour of your baby’s life
- Breastfeeding support – Helps with positioning and latching on
- Delayed bathing – Gives your baby their first bath eight hours after birth
Postpartum Care
The hours after giving birth are important as it is a time for resting, bonding with your newborn, and getting breastfeeding and other support. Rely on our postpartum mom and baby caregivers for us for guidance, comfort and support after the delivery of your baby.
Take a Virtual Tour of Our State-Of-The-Art Labor & Delivery Suites
Our spacious labor and delivery suites were designed to accommodate you and your baby, along with a partner.
