Labor and delivery at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center

Labor and delivery unit in Uptown Denver

The birth of a child is one of the most exciting, fulfilling events life has to offer. That is why we have created an environment that provides a childbirth experience uniquely suited to your needs as an individual, a couple and a family. When you are ready to deliver at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center, you will find a knowledgeable team committed to making your labor and birth safe, healthy and successful.

For a physician referral to an OBGYN at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center, please call (877) 752-2737.

Features of our maternity program

When you choose a specialist affiliated with our hospital for your prenatal care, you gain access to advanced care for you and your baby.

For example, Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center is the only hospital in the Rocky Mountain region with a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a Level IV Maternal Unit. This means we have a campus like no other—with teams of specialists all under one roof.

Some of the features of our pregnancy and birth center include:

• Breastfeeding support
• Car seat checks
• Guided maternity tours
• Highest level of neonatal intensive care
• High-risk pregnancy care
• Locked, secure units
• Maternity classes
• Midwifery services
• Private labor and delivery rooms
• Private mom and baby rooms
• Safety precautions for you and your baby
• Skin-to-skin contact encouraged
• Sleeping accommodations for your support partner

Preparing for labor and delivery

Below you will find information to help you prepare for labor, delivery and your maternity stay at our hospital.

Childbirth and parent education classes

We offer a variety of childbirth and parenting classes to help you and your partner prepare for childbirth and parenthood. Classes can be taken at any time during your pregnancy.

Maternity tours

Our labor and delivery team provides one-hour maternity tours. During the tour, you will see our labor and delivery rooms, mom and baby rooms and other special accommodations we offer.

We will also discuss various medical procedures, comfort measures during labor and how we care for you if complications arise.

Weekly pregnancy and childbirth newsletter

As you prepare for childbirth and parenthood, we can touch base with you through our weekly pregnancy and early childhood newsletter to provide you with additional support. Our newsletter is free and includes customized information, news and resources based on your stage of pregnancy and, after birth, your child's age.

What to bring to the hospital

During the labor and delivery process, several items can make you more comfortable while awaiting the arrival of your little one. We suggest bringing the following with you:

• Camera
• Entertainment items, such as a tablet, book, magazine or deck of cards
• Hard candy (Women in labor tend to become dehydrated. Hard candy produces saliva.)
• Personal items, such as lip moisturizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, warm socks and a favorite pillow

In a separate bag, we recommend packing items to make your recovery more comfortable, such as:

• Clothing, such as a nightgown, robe, slippers, bras and/or nursing bras
• Outfit to wear home from the hospital

What to bring for your baby

When packing a bag for your baby's hospital stay, we suggest the following items:

• Baby blankets
• Infant clothes, such as a onesie, hat and socks/booties
• Properly installed car seat in the rear-facing position
• Name and number of your baby's pediatrician and/or clinic

Parking on the day of delivery

When it is time to deliver, please notify your physician you are going to the hospital. Upon arrival, you may go directly to the labor and delivery unit located on the third floor of the A Tower.

Use our 24-hour parking entrance in the main drive (go down the parking ramp) and park on level P1 or P2 near the A Tower elevators. In the elevator lobby, use the white phone to let security know you are here. They will unlock the elevator so you can enter the hospital onto the first floor. Go across the hall and take the A elevators to the third floor.

Family-centered childbirth care

Our labor and delivery nurses strive to support your decisions regarding the type of birthing experience you desire. We believe in a family-centered approach with as little intervention as possible for the safety of you and your baby.

We follow all national standards for monitoring your and your baby's well-being during labor and delivery. Our board-certified physicians are available to counsel you and provide you with a safe and special birth experience.

Should you deliver by cesarean section (C-section), you will be cared for in one of our surgical suites and recovery rooms, also located within the labor and delivery unit. Even during C-sections, we encourage your partner to be with you.

Our labor and delivery unit

Our secure labor and delivery unit features rooms designed for your comfort and care. These rooms are private, comfortable birthing rooms, featuring large windows and sleeping chairs for partners. Each room has its own shower, television and birthing or peanut ball upon request.

Your extended family, grandparents, children and friends are welcome to visit at any time. Please review our visitor guidelines ahead of time, as we have certain restrictions in place during cold and flu season.

Postpartum care and recovery

Postpartum care is an important part of your recovery while you are in our hospital. After delivery, you will recover in our secure, remodeled mom and baby unit. This space is designed to offer a comfortable environment where our team can care for you and your new baby.

While in this unit, your baby will receive several routine tests and medications to ensure they are healthy and ready to go home.

Our mom and baby unit

Each private room in our mom and baby unit has large windows to let in natural light, a bathroom, TV and sleeping accommodations for your support person.

You and your partner will receive a special meal after delivery. Our Lullaby Lounge is also available for you to gather your family, watch TV and help yourself to a selection of snacks.

Additionally, you have the opportunity to have your baby’s picture taken by a professional newborn photographer at our hospital. Newborn pictures are taken upon request and can be purchased while in the hospital. Your baby’s footprints are taken at the time of delivery, and you will receive a complimentary copy upon discharge.

Before you leave, you will also attend our discharge class, which will provide you with information to help you care for yourself and your baby when you get home.

Breastfeeding support

If you choose to breastfeed your baby, we are here to help. We provide the individualized resources and education you need to feel more comfortable and confident when breastfeeding your newborn. In fact, we earned the International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants Care Award for our staff's dedication to breastfeeding support.

We offer:

• Hospital-grade breast pumps
• Hospital-grade breastfeeding pillows (nursing support pillows)
• International board-certified lactation consultants available seven days a week
• Nurses ready to help you get an early start with breastfeeding

Neonatal intensive care

As a Level IV NICU, we are dedicated to providing the highest level of care to babies needing special medical attention. Our 84-bed NICU has neonatologists and hospitalists on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide unparalleled newborn care.

As part of HealthONE's NICU network, babies born at our sister hospitals in Denver are transferred to our NICU if they need a higher level of care.

Additionally, the mom and baby unit is located in close proximity to our NICU, so you can be close to your baby if they need a little extra care after birth.

Features of our Level IV NICU

Features of our NICU include:

• Free WiFi
• Kangaroo care (skin-to-skin bonding)
• Lactation support
• NICU CPR and choking classes
• Personal amenities, including laundry, showers and concierge services
• Private rooms
• Ronald McDonald Family Room
• Spacious waiting areas
• Support team, which includes a parent educator, social worker, psychologist, case manager, care coordinator and chaplain

Keeping you and your baby safe

The safety and security of our patients is a top priority. Our pregnancy and childbirth program takes several steps to keep mom and baby safe, including:

Unique ID badges

All family members and other visitors in our infant and child areas must check in at the nurse's station and wear a visitor ID badge/sticker. Hospital employees will identify themselves verbally and must wear an official hospital photo ID badge at all times.

All nurses who care for infants and children have unique scrubs specific to their area.

Security bands

After delivery, a security band will be placed on your infant’s ankle. Your nurse will remove it just before you are discharged from the facility. Your birth partner will also be given an ID band. When a staff member brings your baby to you, your baby's band will be matched to your band. The bands will not be removed until you get home, so only the two of you will be allowed to come to the nursery to get your baby.

Community resources for parents

You will find information below about some of the community resources we offer to expectant and new parents.

Mothers’ Milk Bank

Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center is a donation and outreach center for Mothers’ Milk Bank. A program of Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation, Mothers’ Milk Bank (MMB) is one of 19 operating donor human milk banks in North America. This program consistently provides more milk to NICUs than any other nonprofit milk bank.

MMB safely screens, collects, processes and dispenses donated human milk as a community service. The milk is sent to more than 130 different hospitals throughout the U.S. to provide human milk to premature or ill babies who need human milk to thrive.

Mothers' Milk Bank is located at:

5394 Marshall St., Suite 400
Arvada, CO 80002

For more information, call Mothers’ Milk Bank at (303) 869-1888.

Car seat checks

Our certified child passenger safety technicians offer free community car seat checks on the Presbyterian/St. Luke's and Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children campus.

• Best practice recommendations
• Booster seat protocols
• Existing child passenger safety laws
• How to safely transport a child of any age
• How to use your car seat and vehicle safety systems
• Recalls on a vehicle or car seat and remedies for recalls
• Safe seating positions for all family members

Car seat checks are offered on Saturday and Sunday, once a month, and every Monday from noon to 2:00pm.  Additional appointment times are available for our NICU families. Call (720) 754-7338 for details.

We cannot accommodate car seat checks without a scheduled appointment. To schedule a car seat check appointment, please call (720) 754-7338.