The only one of its kind in Syracuse, the Birth Place is the choice of families who want to have their baby, their way in a comfortable, home-like setting. With care provided by our award-winning nurses, skilled physicians and certified nurse midwives, the Birth Place is the next best thing to being home for your special delivery. In the Birth Place our nurses balance human touch with medical technology, giving you confidence in your ability to give birth. You can give birth at the Birth Place anytime between your 37th and 42nd week of pregnancy.

You'll labor and give birth in a comfortable double bed in one of three “bedrooms,” where you will remain throughout your stay. For you and your family's comfort and convenience, the Birth Place also has kitchen facilities, a lounge and a play area for children.

While you are in labor, you may take a warm bath in our whirlpool tub, or shower in your own private bathroom. You are free to wear your own clothes, if you desire, and eat and drink as you please. Women and their families are provided the freedom to take a stroll outside on a nice day or meet family in the café, if they would like.

Friends and families, including baby's siblings and grandparents, are welcome to participate in this special event. Your significant other or support person may spend the night with you. Every room is equipped with a TV/VCR/DVD. Our new room service menu is available from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with meal selections delivered to your room. We have a stocked kitche for those midnight or midday cravings.

Our expert nurses, part of the maternal/child nursing staff at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, will provide you with one-on-one continuing support during your labor and delivery. All routine newborn exams are delayed for one hour after birth, as long as the baby is healthy, to allow parents the time to bond with their new baby. This also provides the opportunity for a nursing mother to give her new baby the first meal.

After delivery, nurses will give you information on infant care, breast-feeding, parenting and care of yourself, while maintaining a ratio of one nurse to one or two families. All instruction is tailored to meet your needs. The Birth Place has two lactation consultants on staff, and the breastfeeding support center provides consultation through its team of lactation consultants seven days a week.

Your baby and you will go home within 24 hours of birth, if both of you are stable and ready. The next day, a Birth Place registered nurse will call you to make sure you and your baby are doing well. If you live within 30 road miles of St. Joseph's, a Birth Place nurse will visit you at home within 48 hours of your discharge. Other arrangements are made for families living more than 30 road miles from the hospital.

If you think the Birth Place might be for you, discuss it with your doctor or certified nurse midwife. If you don't have a pregnancy care provider, we can send you a list of physicians and midwives who deliver at the Birth Place or call (315) 448-5515.

Once you have your physician's approval, call us at 448-5399 for information and an appointment. Two orientation classes to the Birth Place are required - one at 28 weeks and the second at 36 weeks. The first visit includes a tour of our facility and time for you to ask our staff questions. During the second visit, we'll review your own special plan for your baby's birth. If the Birth Place is the place for you, call us at 448-5399 anytime.

Do you have a St. Joseph's OB/GYN? Call 448-5515.