Labor & Delivery

Learn the signs it's time to go to Birthways at Mary Greeley Medical Center, and discover what to expect during your labor and delivery experience. Thank you for trusting us to provide the care you and your baby deserve.

What to Bring to the Birth Center

To make sure you have everything you need for your stay at Birthways, pack your bag about three weeks before your due date. Though we have many items on hand, you may also want to bring certain items for yourself, your birth partner, and your baby. Download and print What to Pack for the Hospital checklist [PDF].

What Are Contractions?

Contractions, or labor pains, are the tightening and relaxing of the uterus (womb). They happen when your body is getting ready to give birth to your baby.

Braxton Hicks Contractions

Not all contractions mean you're in labor. False labor pains are called Braxton Hicks contractions. They usually go away when you're active or change position, but true labor contractions continue or increase.

Am I in Labor?

Signs of true labor include:

Strong, regular contractions that happen closer together
Belly or low back pain
Bloody discharge
Wetness or fluid leaking (water breaking)

Before you come to the hospital, call your doctor (if it’s during their office hours) or our First Nurse hotline, available 24/7.

Arriving at Birthways

Go directly to Birthways when it's time to deliver your baby. Walk up to the West Entrance/Patient Discharge doors and on the left hand side there is a door bell. Push the blue button to speak with a Birthways staff member and notify them of your arrival. They will then open the door for you. When you get into the building, take a left and head toward the Cy statue. At the Cy statue, take a right and take the G elevators up to the 3rd floor.

View driving directions, parking information, and a hospital map.

During Labor

Depend on our skilled, experienced staff — available 24/7 — to prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of you and your baby. Read about our approach to making your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible through a wide range of relaxation and pain relief options.

Do you offer VBAC care?

VBAC stands for vaginal birth after Cesarean. If you gave birth previously through a Cesarean delivery and you’re now interested in giving birth vaginally, talk to your doctor. You and your doctor will work together to determine if it’s safe for you to have a trial of labor after Cesarean (TOLAC), or attempted VBAC.

Welcome to the World, Little One!

Your baby is here! Because we put you and your baby at the center of all we do, we encourage "golden hour" bonding — skin-to-skin contact in the first hour after birth. Soothing your baby in this way can help stabilize their:

Blood pressure
Breathing
Heart rate
Temperature

Listen for Mozart's Sonata 11 in A Major, which we play throughout the hospital to announce your baby has arrived.

Newborn Care & Screening Tests

To make sure your baby is healthy and address any potential concerns, your infant will receive certain newborn screening tests. Rest assured, you and your baby will stay together the entire time because we visit your hospital room to provide their care.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Feel peace of mind knowing that, if needed, Birthways offers Level II NICU services not just onsite, but actually in your hospital room. This means we’re equipped with the expert staff and resources for babies who need special care and you can stay with your little one the entire time.

Spread the Good News

Birthways makes it easy for you to announce your newborn's birth to family and friends. Use our free Wi-Fi to post an announcement on social media or send emails.

Take advantage of professional infant photography conveniently onsite and see a picture gallery of the cuties recently born at Birthways.

During Your Stay

Get familiar with the amenities, services, and policies in place to make sure you and your loved ones have a great experience during your stay at Birthways. You'll appreciate our focus on: