The Center for Women & Infants at UofL Health - UofL Hospital offers services to meet your needs for low-risk and high-risk pregnancies. Your baby will receive the warmest welcome because we are focused on patient and family-centered care. We offer the most advanced and innovative maternity care available. That makes us the perfect choice for expecting mothers in the Louisville area.
We are a designated Baby-Friendly birthing facility by Baby-Friendly USA. The designation is awarded to birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother/baby bonding.
Prenatal care/classes/tours
UofL Physicians – OB/GYN & Women’s Health
The doctors and midwives who deliver at UofL Hospital are part of UofL Physicians – OB/GYN & Women’s Health. We offer a full range of pregnancy care and services. For high-risk pregnancies, we also collaborate with our Maternal/Fetal Medicine physicians. For low-risk pregnancies, in addition to our team of obstetricians, we have a team of certified nurse midwives. Our midwives can provide prenatal care and are available to deliver your baby at the Center for Women & Infants.
To schedule an appointment, call 502-588-4400.
Classes
We offer free prenatal care classes called “Beautiful Beginnings.” They are taught by experienced, certified OB nurses. The classes are designed to answer your questions about labor, delivery, recovery and breastfeeding. They also cover care for yourself and your baby.
All classes are currently being offered virtually.
Group prenatal care
A pregnancy program offered through UofL Physicians – OB/GYN & Women’s Health takes prenatal care to a group setting. Women due around the same time get to know each other. They learn about pregnancy together, without the need for an exam room.
This model of care ensures moms are engaged in their care and that all-important health topic are covered. It allows the women to form friendships and discuss what’s important to them.
Group prenatal care has many benefits including:
- Better health outcomes
- Self-care
- Self-confidence
- More time with your provider
- Support and friendship
- Learning and fun
To join a group, call 502-588-4400.
Tours
We would love for you to visit the Center for Women & Infants. Tours are an opportunity to learn more about who we are and where we will give birth. Call our Labor and Delivery Unit at 502-562-3094 to make arrangements.
High-risk pregnancies
Every pregnancy and delivery deserves special care.
For mothers and babies who require a higher level of expertise, we have high-risk specialists with UofL Physicians. They practice alongside our labor and delivery staff.
Pregnancy may be considered high-risk if you have:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- A heart condition
- Multiple babies
- A number of other factors may contribute
Our highly-trained team works together to give the mother and baby the best care possible. We have exceptional maternal-fetal specialists (doctors who specialize in high-risk pregnancies) leading a team that is ready and able to handle any situation.
In addition to our maternal-fetal specialists, our team includes:
- surgeons
- cardiologists (heart doctors)
- trauma specialists
- endocrinologists (doctors specializing in diabetes)
Specially-equipped facility
The Center for Women & Infants is specially equipped to care for mothers and infants involved in a high-risk delivery. This includes:
- Two specialized delivery suites for Cesarean birth (C-section)
- Seven delivery suites to serve mothers and babies with special needs, including all ICU-level equipment and a specialized monitoring system
- A specialized antenatal (before birth) unit for mothers in pre-term labor, or who have other serious medical conditions and need to be hospitalized while pregnant
- A Level III NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) that provides care for babies born too early and those that are too sick to be cared for in couplet care
Regional clinical care
Our Maternal-Fetal Medicine group is a recognized referral center for high-risk pregnancies in Central and Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana. This initiative allows us to share our expertise with other health facilities in Kentucky.
The partnership provides Kentucky hospitals that may not specialize in high-risk pregnancies an opportunity to collaborate with our top maternal-fetal medicine doctors. This ensures women in Kentucky are receiving the best possible care.
NICU
The Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at UofL Hospital has 24 beds and is one of the largest in the region. We are committed to providing the very best for your baby. We have the latest equipment and knowledgeable staff to care for babies born too early and those that are too sick to be cared for in couplet care.
Our neonatal specialists participate in a state-supported high-risk infant follow-up program. The doctors follow the health of premature babies up to eight years to help support the pediatrician’s primary care.
We also plan an annual NICU Reunion for families.
Visiting your baby in the NICU
The NICU has open visitation for parents. You are welcome to visit anytime, 24 hours a day. Other people may visit with you. Children under age 14 are only allowed if they are a sibling. Visitation may be limited during flu and RSV season, in order to protect your baby.
See your baby anytime, from anywhere
The arrival of a new baby is an exciting time for families, but it can be stressful for parents when they need to leave the hospital without their baby – whether it’s for the night or an extended period of time.
Our NICU now offers NICVIEW, a live video monitoring system. Parents, siblings and other relatives can log in to a secure system to watch the baby’s progress. It’s the next best thing to being there.
Labor and delivery
When you go into labor, go to the third floor of UofL Hospital (530 S. Jackson St.). At the main door, pick up the phone and dial 3094.
What do you need to bring with you?
- Identification
- Name of your doctor
- The office location for your prenatal care
- Insurance information
- For your personal comfort:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Body wash
- Brush/comb
- Cosmetics
- Slippers
- Bathrobe
- Snacks/food (for your partner in care)
- Car seat for your baby to go home in (We cannot discharge you from the hospital without a car seat.)
- Clothes for you and your baby to wear home
We have birthing balls and squat bars for those who desire them.
Midwives
Our midwives work with our general obstetricians to assist mothers in achieving their labor and delivery goals. Certified Nurse-Midwives encourage a natural birth for low-risk pregnancies. At other hospitals, midwives don’t deliver babies, but in ours they do. They are trained to try different positions to ease pain and help lessen stress. They consult with our general obstetricians and maternal-fetal specialists when needed. A full range of obstetrical services is available right at hand if needed. Learn more about our Certified Nurse Midwives.
The lowest C-section rate in Louisville
Our primary Cesarean section rate is one of the lowest in the city. If you’ve had a Cesarean birth before, you may be eligible to try for a VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean).
For those who do have a C-section, we are the only birthing facility in the area that offers a clear drape. The mother won’t see the surgery, but she will be able to see the birth of her baby. She will be able to watch as her baby is born and gets cleaned up. She won’t feel disconnected from the baby because she can still see what’s happening. Similar to Kangaroo Care, the baby will lay skin-to-skin on the mom’s chest soon after delivery if both mom and baby are in the condition to do so.
Kangaroo Care
After your baby is born, as long as both you and your baby are doing well, you will place your baby skin-to-skin in what is called “Kangaroo Care.” The practice of mother and baby “skin-to-skin” is called Kangaroo Care. It is similar to how a baby joey is carried by the mother kangaroo. Kangaroo Care is the best way for a baby to make the transition to the outside world. It stresses physical contact to provide a sense of safety for the infant, promote bonding and encourage the natural instinct of breastfeeding.
After the baby is born
Mother/baby unit
Generally, you’ll recover in Labor and Delivery for the first two hours after your baby is born. Then you’ll move to the Mother/Baby Unit for the rest of your stay.
You’ll be provided with a more comfortable bed and a private bathroom. Your partner in care will be provided with a sleeper chair, pillow, blanket, etc.
Your baby will room in with you throughout your stay. This is also known as couplet care. We do not have a newborn nursery. This time allows you to get to know your baby, start bonding, and encourage breastfeeding. Rooming-in allows for mom and other caregivers to adjust to caring for the baby while in the hospital. Our goal is to have our nurses help the mom and caregivers so they are more confident when it’s time to go home.
Visitors
You are welcome to have visitors. However, we encourage you to rest after you have had your baby. Your partner in care is encouraged to stay to help you.
Quiet time hours are reserved for you, your partner in care and your baby. We ask that visitors respect this time and do not come between 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. – 6 a.m.
Baby photos
Mom365 is a free photography service available to capture precious memories of your baby. A photographer will stop by your room during your stay to ask If you wish to take advantage of these services. They will provide a free keepsake photo and a login to share the photos with your family and friends.
Photos are available to view and purchase using your personal login.
Lactation Center/breastfeeding help
Breastfeeding has many benefits for both mom and baby. The Lactation Center at UofL Hospital’s Center for Women & Infants is designed to help new mothers and their babies overcome any difficulties with breastfeeding.
This service is available at no charge to all breastfeeding mothers in the community.
Our lactation center staff members are all international board-certified lactation consultants. They have more than 50 years of combined lactation experience. They also have extensive neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience.
Open Monday through Saturday, our team is prepared to help you through breastfeeding difficulties, such as:
- Poor latch/painful breastfeeding
- Engorgement (breasts are painfully full)
- Insufficient milk supply
- Poor infant weight gain
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes)
- Plugged ducts, mastitis and abscess
- Thrush (fungal infection in the mouth)
- Late preterm and premature babies
- Cleft lip and palate, Downs Syndrome and tongue-tie
- Preparation for return to work or school
- Safe pumping and storage of breast milk
- Induced lactation (breastfeeding without pregnancy) and re-lactation (bringing back milk supply)
Breastfeeding is also covered in our prenatal classes.
Prenatal and postnatal support groups are also offered. We also partner with La Leche League of Louisville to offer additional support to breastfeeding moms.
Contact us
- For breastfeeding information or lactation assistance: 502-562-6081
- Breastfeeding Hotline: 1-855-562-6081
- Fax: 502-561-5683
The Lactation Center is located on the third floor of UofL Hospital. It is in the hallway outside the Center for Women & Infants. UofL Hospital’s address is 530 S. Jackson St., Louisville, KY 40202.
