A Childbirth Uniquely Yours

Preparing for a new baby is an exciting time. Our physicians and nurse-midwives, nurses and other medical professionals believe every childbearing experience is unique. We work in partnership with you to design a care plan tailored to you and your baby. 

Our spacious and comfortable Birth Center welcomes more than 1,400 babies each year, making us the most popular center on the Seacoast.

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is the first hospital on the Seacoast recognized as a Baby-Friendly Hospital, providing an optimum level of care and support for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. It is also a Gold Certified Safe Sleep Hospital for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. 

Take a virtual tour of our birthing center by registering here.

A Birth That's Right For You

Only you know what birth plan is right for you. Our philosophy is to partner with you to help you achieve the birth you envision.

 Perceptions of labor pain vary, so do the choices about pain management and comfort. We have many options for non-medicated and medicated labor to help you through the process. Some options include:

• Jacuzzi for comfort during labor (we do not do waterbirths) 
• wireless fetal monitoring
• birth balls
• pain medications
• epidurals
• nitrous oxide (only available if patient has a negative COVID-19 test result)

All babies whether vaginal born or cesarean born, who are transitioning well, are placed skin-to-skin with mom for at least one hour immediately after birth.

Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC)

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital offers people who have previously had cesarean births the opportunity to try for a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). For those who are considered good candidates for VBAC, a vaginal birth can have many benefits, including faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays, less discomfort and less chance of blood transfusions and postpartum infections.

About 60-80% of people who attempt VBAC are successful in delivering vaginally. Talk to your obstetrician or midwife about the benefits and risks of VBAC based on your medical history.

Cesarean Birth

Should your birth experience include a C-section, rest assured that you won’t need to go far. The C-section surgical room is located right in the Women & Children’s Center. In most cases you will remain fully alert and your support person can remain with you for the birth. Your baby will be placed skin-to-skin with you as soon as possible. You will often be able to touch and get to know your baby while still in the surgical room. Your support partner will also be able to hold the baby as long as the baby is in good health.  

What to Expect: Scheduled Cesarean Delivery

Individualized Care in Private Suites 

Warm, inviting, private rooms offer mom, baby and family all the comforts of home. Babies room-in with their parents so our nurses can educate the whole family on new baby and postpartum care. We provide room-service style meals so that families may order their food according to their own schedule.

For safety and security, all entrances to the Birth Center are locked and visitors are invited in with your permission only. Security cameras monitor the hallways.

Support available during your stay, includes:

• RNs and Certified Lactation Consultants trained to provide breastfeeding education and support to you if you choose to breastfeed.
• Individualized Discharge Preparation to help you feel safe and comfortable bringing your new baby home.

Feeding Support

As a Baby-Friendly Hospital, we are committed to helping you achieve your breastfeeding goals. More than 80% of babies born at Wentworth-Douglass begin breastfeeding, a rate that is well above the national standards. 

This support begins from the moment your baby is born. Placing your baby skin-to-skin on your chest soon after birth is shown to help establish successful breastfeeding and bonding as your baby transitions into the world. If skin-to-skin is not possible when the baby is born due to special medical needs, the practice is still beneficial when it becomes possible.

Every family is supported by caring nurses with extensive breastfeeding education, and board certified lactation consultants are available to support you in breastfeeding and answer your questions. Once you and your baby go home, our lactation consultants are available by phone to offer on-going support. 

Learn more about our support for breastfeeding moms and babies. 

Hannaford Special Care Nursery

Our Special Care Nursery offers family centered care to encourage bonding and attachment between newborns and parents while preparing for the transition to home.

The nursery features a stabilization area, and six private special care rooms for preterm babies up to 32 weeks. The rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art monitoring systems, radiant warmers, bassinets and sleeping sofas so a parent can stay with their baby. There is also a specially-designed family suite with areas for dining, showering and visiting with family. 

Maternal Newborn Follow-up Nurse Visit

Wentworth-Douglass offers every family a follow-up nurse visit. Routine follow-up nurse visits are usually scheduled 2-3 days after discharge, unless otherwise ordered by your practitioner.  During the visit, the nurse will complete a Maternal/Newborn assessment, provide health teaching, and answer any questions that you and your new family may have. Each visit is individualized to meet your family's specific needs.

Childbirth Education

Our education and support programs are geared toward helping you prepare for childbirth and embrace your new roles as parents.  See the full schedule of Childbirth Education Classes.

New Parents Support Group

Come and meet other new parents and discuss topics of concern to you. These groups are led by lactation consultants and child life specialists. The group meets every Wednesday from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m in person. Visit Childbirth Education for more information and to reserve your spot.

PLEASE NOTE: The Women & Children's Center is limiting visitors to two support persons during labor & delivery and two caregivers for pediatric patients. Read More. 

Visitors will be screened for signs of respiratory illness and not allowed in if they are sick.