What to Look for When Choosing a Hospital for Delivery

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of SSM Health St. Mary’s. The opinions and text are all mine.





Once you’ve learned you’re pregnant, dozens of thoughts begin rolling through your head. You begin dreaming about gender reveal parties, shopping for baby clothes, and designing a nursery. You start to research which OB you will see and begin writing out your birth plan. But did you know that most moms-to-be don’t even think about the hospital (if you are already on the lookout, visit this link to know a little more about specialized ob-gyn care) where they will give birth until much farther into their pregnancy?

You will want to take several factors into account- ultimately deciding on the hospital where you will give birth for its support rather than simply as a result of choosing your doctor. We’ve teamed up with SSM Health St. Mary’s to bring you a few of those to keep in mind:

The Comfort Factor
You’ve probably already started to think about how your delivery will play out, especially if you’ve written your birth plan. Do you want music playing? Do you want to labor in a tub?

SSM Health St. Mary’s Family Birth Suites delivery rooms have that comfort factor that is so important when choosing a hospital. With a soaking tub, flat-screen TV, and a room for family, calming your nerves about welcoming a baby will be a bit easier.

It’s also essential to think about once you’ve moved on to recovery. What will the experience be like? SSM Health St. Mary’s offers hotel-like recovery rooms with a full-size bed and memory foam mattress, a place for dad to sleep, a baby-bath sink, and a warming bassinet so you can feel more at home. The hospital room tv systems could help in distracting you if you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of attention you are receiving.

The Baby Prep
For first-time moms, it can be hard to wrap your mind around bringing home a new baby. Look for a hospital that offers baby prep classes so you feel a little more comfortable. SSM Health St. Mary’s offers classes to teach new parents how to hold, bond with, and care for babies. There are even childbirth classes so you know what to expect and how to navigate labor and delivery.

The Support Team
Giving birth is a major milestone in your life and you want to feel supported every step of the way. When choosing a hospital, look into the support team that will surround you. SSM Health St. Mary’s offers one-to-one expert nursing care, hospital relationships with doulas to help guide moms through the birth process, expertise in natural deliveries should you choose that route and lactation specialists to make sure your breastfeeding experience gets off to a good start.

You will also want to feel that baby is supported with an expert care staff and at SSM Health St. Mary’s, you will have the assurance of a Level III NICU and access to 24/7 maternal fetal medicine specialists should you need them.

Choosing a hospital in the early stages of pregnancy is key to making your journey to motherhood as smooth as possible. Take those next steps to find a hospital that offers a personalized birthing experience, so you know you have the right support behind you to welcome baby into the world in whatever way you choose.


Now that you’re on your way to choosing a hospital, take a look at these Baby Nail Clippers that Won’t Make You Sweat or read How We’ve All Been Carrying Car Seats the Wrong Way.