BirthPlace
One in five Oregonians begins their life at a Providence facility. Our family-centered approach to childbirth includes personalized care from experts who are dedicated to the health and wellbeing of the entire family.
We want to make this a special experience for you and your family. Your care team works closely with you to meet your needs and keep you informed about the progress of your care.
After you deliver, we teach you how to care for, feed and comfort your newborn. We support you as you learn about your baby's behaviors and sleep and wake cycles. Our nurses take a holistic approach to caring for you and your baby and they are experts at helping with breastfeeding. We have access to internationally board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) and arrange inpatient or outpatient consults if needed. Self-care is equally important. Your body undergoes many changes during pregnancy and birth. We help you learn to care for your postpartum body and know what to expect as you recover. We are prepared for all your questions as you get ready to care for yourself and your newborn at home.
Your delivery is supported by a team of providers dedicated to meeting your needs. Our team includes registered nurses, obstetricians, certified nurse midwives, family practice physicians, anesthesiologists or certified registered nurse anesthetists, lactation consultants and social workers. The majority of our nurses hold national certification in the area of childbirth and lactation. We work directly with perinatologists, neonatologists and neonatal nurse practitioners to provide specialized care when needed.
Sometimes pregnancies require specialized care. When unexpected situations arise, your provider has access to a team of Portland-based perinatologists and neonatologists. We are supported by two neonatal intensive care units (NICUs); one at Providence St. Vincent and one at Providence Portland.
During birth, you are supported by your team of providers, nurses, and support people. You are at the center of this team – it is your body and your birth.
We are a TeamBirth hospital, which means the care you receive matches your preferences. One of the ways we accomplish this is through TeamBirth huddles.
TeamBirth huddles are times when your care team comes together, either in person or over the phone, to give all team members the opportunity to talk at key points in your care.
- Who: you, your provider, your nurse and your support person(s).
- What: You and your care team talk about your preferences, your care plans, and when you will huddle next.
- When: Huddles happen at admission, for decisions or changes in the plan of care, or when any team member asks for one. We encourage you and your support people to ask any of our caregivers for a huddle. If you do not feel like you can speak up for any reason, ask your support person or the team member you trust the most to help speak up for you.
Your care changes as labor goes on. Think about how your team can help you by sharing information or giving you support to feel good about changes and decisions.
- You know your body and your preferences. You have the most important voice in the room. You can choose the role you want in decision-making, but no matter your role, you should always share what you know about your body and how you are feeling with your team.
- Your nurse knows how to support you and your labor. They are by your side through most of your labor; they suggest what could be most helpful for you based on your care so far.
- Your provider knows about the pros and cons of different choices. Most of the time, providers guide the team to make decisions together, but there will be times where providers may need to make quick decisions for you or your baby’s safety.
- Your support person(s) can provide physical, emotional, and mental support, as well as help advocate for you during labor. Discuss with your support person(s) how you want them to help. If you do not know anyone who you want to support you in labor, ask your provider about who else could be there for you for your birth.
How is your labor going? How much energy do you have? What feels good for your body? What doesn’t?
- ASK: If you need your team to hear what you know about your body or share more of what they know with you: I know you see this every day, but this feels different (or frightening) for me. Can you help me understand why I am feeling this way and if there is anything we should worry about?
What matters to you in your labor? Who do you want supporting you? What will make you feel comfortable right now?
- ASK: If your preferences have changed: I feel different now, and have different preferences for my labor. What options do we have to change the care plan to match what I want now?
- ASK: If your care plan does not match with your preferences: This is important to me. Can you help me understand why this may not be possible right now?
You have the right to know all your options for care. How are you and your baby doing? What choices do you have for your care? What are the pros and cons for each one?
- ASK: If you need to be more clear about your care plan or choices: I would like more information about my choices. What are the pros and cons of this plan? What are the other choices we could consider? What would happen if we do nothing instead?
- ASK: If you want to ask for more time to labor: I am still feeling good, and I would like to keep laboring if possible. Can you help me understand the reason why you recommend delivery? Are there any options we could consider to give me more time?
- ASK: If you want to know more about what to expect next in your labor: How are my baby and I doing right now? What can I expect next? When should I be concerned?
While tours are not currently available in person, we invite you to watch the virtual tour below.
Each room has a:
- Private bathroom with Jacuzzi tub
- Special bed that supports labor for you with memory-foam mattress after delivery
- Bassinet with newborn essentials for baby
- Couch for support person
- Phone, TV and DVD/CD player
- Stereo system
Every room is equipped for a safe, vaginal birth. If you need a cesarean section, you are taken to a surgery suite in our unit where our team provides safe care that promotes immediate bonding with your baby to include skin-to-skin in the operating room when able. You return to your room afterwards with your support person and baby for recovery.
Our registered nurses are trained to support all birth requests and expectations. They provide one-on-one nursing care while in active labor. We pride ourselves in being able to provide multiple options to help maintain comfort as you move through your labor process. Some examples include:
- Positioning and stretching to promote the ideal position for your baby’s delivery
- Using peanut and yoga balls
- Laboring in a Jacuzzi tub
- Using a squat bar
- Epidurals
- Nitrous oxide for pain management
After the birth of your baby, we recognize the benefit of the Golden Hour. This time, immediately following birth, facilitates skin-to-skin, fosters the first breastfeeding experience, and promotes bonding with your baby. Newborn cares (e.g., weights, measurements, etc.) are delayed when able to allow for at least one full hour of bonding.
Registered nurses check in regularly to ensure all your needs are met. During this special time, your baby stays with you in your room. Screenings for baby will take place in your room or in a dedicated procedural room.
Families who deliver at Providence receive a follow-up appointment at Providence Mother and Baby Clinic. This appointment is scheduled before you go home from the hospital. During this appointment, an internationally board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) provides a brief physical exam to assess how well you are healing and evaluate your baby’s feeding, check weight gain and screen for jaundice. They also provide help with breastfeeding and answer your questions. Breast pump rentals, breast-feeding supplies and additional professional support are also available. Our team works closely with both you and your baby’s doctors to make sure there is a smooth transition from hospital to home.
While in the hospital, you and your primary support person may select your meals from daily menus. Juice, coffee, milk and fruit are available in our maternity units. Visitors may purchase beverages, snacks or meals from the hospital coffee shops or cafeteria and bring those items back to the maternity unit.
Please refer to current visitor policy.
Congratulations! This is a very exciting time in your life. To help with your questions, the resources below give information on Providence services, childbirth and parenting classes, tips on selecting a provider for your baby, information on our breastfeeding clinics and more.
- Circle by Providence App: We encourage you to download our free parenting and pregnancy app ahead of your delivery. Before you go home from the hospital, we review the app together and share helpful and important resources.
- Your birthing plan
- Breastfeeding support and supplies after you have returned home
- Childbirth preparation classes
- Maternity orientation classes
- Providence Beginnings
- Pastoral care and support
Congratulations on the arrival of your new baby! The day you take your newborn home is exciting – and probably a little scary. You’ll have lots of questions during the days and months ahead. This page contains a lot of information, but it is not meant as a substitute for professional medical care. If you have questions or concerns, talk with your care provider.
- Circle by Providence App: We encourage you to download our free parenting and pregnancy app ahead of your delivery. Before you go home from the hospital, we review the app together and share helpful and important resources.
- All about your newborn
- Children’s services
- Parenting classes and new moms groups
- Paternity affidavit information
- Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- Learn about becoming a breastmilk donor
- Learn about ordering donor breastmilk
- Birth certificate: You will receive and be asked to complete this form during your hospital stay. If you would like, you can complete this form and bring it with you to your delivery. Here are ways to order your child’s birth certificate after you return home.
Deciding what type of care your want for your pregnancy and beyond is a personal choice. Providence offers several options to meet your unique needs – and all offer you a lifetime of care.
- Board-certified
- Surgically trained so they are able to perform C-sections and other procedures when necessary
- Able to care for high-risk pregnancies
- Coordinate your pregnancy and postpartum care with a team of patient navigators and social workers
- Offer family-centered maternity care
- Partner with OB-GYNs when needed
- Provide primary care for every member of your family, including newborns
- Board-certified
- Partner with OB-GYNs when needed
- Coordinate your pregnancy and postpartum care with a team of patient navigators, social workers and an OB-GYN
- Offers group visits with patient (and partners) at similar stages in pregnancy
Free pregnancy and parenting app
Circle® is a free pregnancy and parenting app that provides useful health resources, top-notch pregnancy calculator and tools to help track ovulation, weight, blood pressure, and vaccinations. Enjoy easy access to program information, services and classes, too! Plus, when you connect to MyChart through Circle, you'll receive appointment reminders for you and your children. Learn more about the Circle app.
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