When it comes to your child’s birth, you want an experienced team by your side and a place where you feel comfortable. Our goal is to make your experience as joyful as possible and provide a safe, supportive environment. Our private birthing suites are equipped with the latest technology and designed for your comfort.

We support your birth preferences and honor your birth plan — we always put moms’ and babies’ health first. You choose who delivers your baby — an obstetrician (OB/GYN) or a midwife — and who’s there with you, including a doula (offers support during labor). You choose whether you have pain medicine, a natural birth, or a cesarean section (C-section). We believe your labor and delivery should reflect what’s important to you.

Pain Management During Labor

We make sure you understand all your pain management options so that you can make an informed decision, including:

  • Natural birth. Rather than using pain medicine, you can choose techniques such as aromatherapy, visualization or meditation, massage, movement and positioning, breathing exercises, or hot or cold therapy.
  • Injected pain medicine. There are a variety of pain medications, including systemic analgesics (reduce pain but cause sleepiness), local anesthesia (numbs a small area), or regional anesthesia (numbs your lower body) — such as an epidural block or a spinal block. General anesthesia (puts you to sleep) is only used in an emergency.

Care After Delivery 

After your baby’s birth, you and your baby share a room. This lets you spend quiet time together and get to know each other. The same nurse cares for you and your baby. We keep you comfortable and answer your questions.

Our postpartum care includes:

  • Rooming-in with your baby. After delivery, you and your baby stay together in a private room. It lets you rest and start a new routine together. Rooming-in helps you both sleep better and develop a strong connection.
  • Baby care education. Our nurses show you how to care for your newborn, including feeding, bathing, and breastfeeding. At Reading Hospital, you can watch on-demand education videos in the comfort of your room.
  • Newborn screenings. We check your baby’s breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and other vital signs to make sure they’re healthy. We use a blood test to check your baby for health problems that aren’t noticeable, such as genetic, hormonal, blood, or metabolic disorders (as part of a statewide newborn screening program).
  • Postpartum depression screening. The birth of a baby is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. We check in with you about your emotional health and refer you to our behavioral health team if you need extra support. Phoenixville Hospital also offers a Postpartum Adjustment Group.

Breastfeeding Support 

Breastfeeding is good for moms and babies — and it improves mother-baby bonding. It can protect your baby from common illnesses like diarrhea and infections. Breastfeeding can lower your risk of gynecologic cancers and let you return to your pre-pregnancy weight faster.

But breastfeeding takes practice. Our trained nurses and international board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) help you begin breastfeeding and answer your questions. Together, we provide comprehensive support to help you breastfeed successfully, including:

  • Education. We offer prenatal classes, workshops, and support groups to teach you about breastfeeding and breast care — including approaches to manage breast pain, mastitis, engorgement, and more.
  • Instruction. We offer bedside consultations and support after your baby’s birth if you need us. We help you get started and show you how to recognize feeding cues and develop a feeding schedule. You get individual attention to practice technique and positioning, and get assistance with breast pumps and other breastfeeding equipment.
    • Learn more about breastfeeding support at Reading Hospital.
  • NICU breastfeeding support. If your baby is in the NICU, we offer breastfeeding support to let you develop a routine and bond with your baby.
  • Lactation support line. We’re available every day to answer your breastfeeding questions. Call our lactation consultants at 484-628-9299 (Reading Hospital) or 610-983-1266 (Phoenixville Hospital).

Prepared for the Unexpected

Most births go smoothly, but we’re well-prepared to provide immediate, expert care for moms and babies, including:

  • High-risk obstetricians. Our maternal-fetal experts have advanced training to care for high-risk pregnancies. It’s comforting to know they’re here if you need them.
  • Emergency cesarean section. If you need a C-section, we have an experienced team and advanced equipment ready at a moment’s notice. 
  • On-site NICU. If your baby needs extra attention, your newborn can get immediate care right here in our technologically advanced NICU. Our neonatologists and NICU nurses are ready to respond to your baby’s needs right away.

Our Locations

Our family-friendly locations make you feel at home. You can be confident you have an experienced team by your side, with access to women’s health and pediatric experts if you need them.

At the Birth Center at Reading Hospital, we offer:

  • Private rooms with spa-like bathrooms and plenty of space for visitors.
  • Family-friendly extras, including a comfy sleeping couch for birthing partners, Wi-Fi, flatscreen TVs, refrigerators, room service dining, and valet parking.
  • Welcoming environment, with soft lighting and soothing décor that makes families feel at home.

At the Women’s Health Pavilion at Phoenixville Hospital, we offer:

  • Private rooms are equipped with advanced technology, ample space for visitors, and comfortable sleeping sofas for your support person.
  • Free Wi-Fi with no password needed.
  • Outlets to charge your devices. Phone chargers are available for use in the lobby and the cafeteria.
  • A cafeteria, from which patients can order room service, and The Café, which offers coffee and grab-and-go items.

Visiting Guidelines 

We understand how important it is to have your loved ones with you during this special time, and our visiting guidelines reflect this. We encourage support person participation as long as it is safe for you and your baby.

  • Talk to your healthcare provider about visitor guidelines during labor and delivery including visitor regulations for C-section deliveries.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about visitor guidelines after your baby is born.