Labor and Delivery Services
At UCI Health, you’ll experience a personalized birth supported by expert physicians, private birthing suites and advanced care for both you and your baby.
Giving birth with UCI Health
At UCI Health, we know that giving birth is a momentous and personal experience. Our obstetric specialists support you through labor, delivery and the first moments with your newborn.
No matter where you choose to deliver, your birth plan to postpartum recovery, your care team works closely with you and your family to provide a safe and comfortable experience.
If complications arise, maternal-fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists are immediately available to care for both you and your baby.
Our approach to labor and delivery
Bringing a baby into the world is a deeply personal experience. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Your experience may include:
- Private birthing suites designed for comfort, privacy and family support
- A dedicated obstetric care team available throughout labor and delivery
- Flexible birth plans tailored to your medical needs and preferences
- Pain management options, including epidurals and non-medicated approaches
- Immediate skin-to-skin bonding whenever possible
- Breastfeeding support from lactation specialists
If your baby requires additional care, specialists in our Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are immediately available.
Your safety and comfort are our highest priorities throughout labor, delivery and recovery.
Your care team includes:
- board-certified obstetricians
- specially trained obstetric nurses
- obstetric anesthesiologists
- maternal-fetal medicine specialists
- neonatologists
- lactation consultants
This coordinated team works together to monitor your progress, respond to changes and support a safe delivery.
Family-centered care
We support your family’s involvement throughout your birth experience. You may choose to have support persons present during labor and delivery, and we offer accommodations to help your loved ones stay close during your hospital stay.
24-hour care and monitoring
An obstetric physician is available 24 hours a day to evaluate labor and respond quickly if your needs change.
Our dedicated anesthesia team is also available at all times to provide pain relief options throughout labor.
Care for both routine and complex births
While many pregnancies are low risk, complications can arise unexpectedly.
UCI Health provides advanced care for both mother and baby in one location, allowing your care team to respond quickly when specialized support is needed.
Giving birth at UCI Health
Whether it's your first baby or you've delivered before, UCI Health provides compassionate, personalized care for both mothers and babies.
Delivering at Fountain Valley
If you choose to deliver your baby at UCI Health — Fountain Valley, please make arrangements with your private physician.Why choose UCI Health to deliver your baby?
Experienced care team focused on you and your baby
Your care team includes board-certified obstetricians, specially trained nurses, anesthesiologists, neonatologists and lactation specialists. This coordinated team supports you throughout labor, delivery and recovery.
Strong outcomes that support vaginal birth when appropriate
UCI Health is committed to supporting safe vaginal delivery whenever possible. Our cesarean rate for low-risk pregnancies is below national and regional averages, and we offer vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) for appropriate candidates.
This approach helps reduce unnecessary surgical intervention while supporting safe outcomes for both you and your baby.
24-hour physician coverage and pain management
An obstetric physician and dedicated anesthesia team are available in the hospital 24 hours a day. This ensures continuous monitoring, timely care and access to pain management options throughout labor.
Support for bonding, breastfeeding and recovery
We encourage early skin-to-skin contact and support breastfeeding through our Baby-Friendly designation.
Lactation specialists and postpartum care teams help you and your baby get off to a healthy start.
Comfortable, family-centered birth experience
Private birthing suites, flexible visiting options and space for support persons help create a comfortable environment for you and your family during childbirth and recovery.
Additional childbirth support and services
Childbirth education and maternity tours
UCI Health offers childbirth education classes and maternity tours to help prepare you and your family for the arrival of your baby.
Classes may include:
- childbirth preparation
- breastfeeding support
- newborn care
Many classes are available in both English and Spanish. We offer our maternity tours in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
View a full list of our maternity and childbirth classes
Convenient access and parking
Free parking is available for maternity patients and their support persons. Complimentary valet parking is also available on the day of discharge. Dedicated emergency care If you experience symptoms such as preterm labor or other urgent concerns, you can come directly to the labor and delivery unit for immediate evaluation and care.
Maternity spiritual support
The chaplain's office at UCI Health — Orange offers access to spiritual advisers or cultural groups within the community.
Chaplain services are regularly available Monday through Friday. In case of emergency, the chaplain is available nights and weekends.
To see the chaplain, ask your nurse to page the chaplain's office with your request. You are also welcome to have your own clergy visit with you at any time.
The Newborn Channel
On the Newborn Channel, new parents can watch videos on a variety of topics, including breastfeeding, child safety, keeping you and your baby healthy, child development, infant sleeping, car seat safety and much more.
To view the videos, go to The Newborn Channel and enter 02800 as the password
Lodging
If you need accommodations, UCI Health has special rates with local hotels — some within walking distance to the medical center and with free shuttle service.
Looking for more options?
View all clinicians
Planning where to deliver your baby?
Our maternity team is here to answer your questions and help you prepare for your birth experience.
Doula support services
Some patients benefit from additional support during labor and delivery.
UCI Health offers access to trained doulas who provide emotional support, comfort techniques and guidance throughout labor.
Doula support may help you feel more confident and supported during your birth experience.
Labor and delivery pain management
Every person is different, and every labor is unique. The amount of pain felt by one woman can be different than the pain felt by another. You should not feel any sense of failure if you need pain relief.
There are many medications and anesthetics available to help reduce the discomfort of childbirth.
Because everyone's pain tolerance is different, there isn't one medication that's right for everyone.
Anesthesia types
Regional anesthesia is given in the birth canal or the lower region of the back near the spinal cord.
There are three types of blocks:
- Local block: anesthesia is given just before birth to numb the lower birth canal.
- Spinal or saddle block: anesthesia is injected into the lower back just before birth to numb the lower abdomen, legs and birth canal.
- Epidural block: anesthesia is injected through a catheter in the lower back to numb the lower abdomen, legs and birth canal.
General anesthesia isn't commonly used for vaginal birth unless there is a complication. It is most commonly used during cesarean births and emergencies.
Dosage and timing
After you go into labor, your physician will give you instructions on dosage and timing of various pain relief medications. This is to prevent slowing your labor and having a sleepy baby a birth.
If you don't want to take any pain medication, tell your doctor before you go into labor.
Labor and delivery photo gallery
Want to learn more about our expert staff, beautiful facility and comprehensive services?
Take a closer look
Congratulations on your pregnancy! We are here to support and provide you and your baby with the care you need during this special time.
A dedicated waiting area is available for families and friends to remain close to the labor and delivery unit.
We have a dedicated team of emergency care experts to help you if you are experiencing any symptoms of pre-term labor or other serious issues. Any expectant mother in need of urgent medical care is encouraged to come straight to the labor and delivery unit to receive immediate attention.
The labor and delivery unit at UCI Health offers full staff coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. OB physicians, nurses and anesthesiologists are ready at a moments' notice.
Our antepartum unit is dedicated to expectant mothers who need to be hospitalized before the birth of their child. We provide spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs and access to tablets featuring educational materials.
UCI Health offers private labor and delivery suites for the comfort of expectant mothers and family.
For patients requiring cesarean procedures, we offer dedicated surgical space in the maternity unit.
Our private delivery suites also have a spacious restroom with shower for your comfort.
Our Mother-Baby Unit features 13 private and semi-private suites for mothers to recover and bond with their babies. The rooms are spacious, with built-in beds to accommodate care partners or guests.
Holding your baby after birth has many physical and emotional benefits for both of you. We encourage "The Golden Hour," an uninterrupted hour with your newborn, and skin-to-skin contact so you can bond by holding him or her against your bare chest.
Our goal is to keep you and your baby together as much as possible after birth. Your baby will remain in the room with you, where our nursing team will provide care to both of you. Our care team works with your family to plan and coordinate inpatient activities in preparation for the journey home.
Our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is equipped to care for infants with the most challenging health complications, including brain injury, respiratory failure and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Our NICU is a Level III unit, meaning that it meets the rigorous standards set by the state of California.
Dining options for new mothers include choices from an expansive menu, custom ordered to fit their dietary needs.
Our nurses and lactation consultants are available for individual breastfeeding counseling and assistance. UCI Health is committed to providing breastfeeding education to mothers and is a Baby-Friendly hospital as designated by Baby-Friendly USA.
We provide birth certificate services on-site to allow for easy completion of important documents.
Congenital cardiac heart screening, newborn hearing, jaundice and metabolic screenings are performed before discharge.
The Robert & Marilyn Sprague Gift Shop is located on the first floor of UCI Health Douglas Hospital.
The Tony & Daisy Fan Dining Hall is located off the main lobby of UCI Health Douglas Hospital. Our dining room is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. We have a variety of fresh, nutritious meals to serve our patients and visitors.
Board-certified pediatricians who are leaders in their clinical field will examine your baby and work with you on the care and health of the baby for a safe transition home.
You will receive instructions on car seat safety while in the hospital. We reinforce the California Child Restraint Law, which requires parents to have an appropriate car seat to take the baby home.
Our care team will provide you with education, resources and follow-up appointments to make sure you have a smooth transition home.
Congratulations on your pregnancy! We are here to support and provide you and your baby with the care you need during this special time.
A dedicated waiting area is available for families and friends to remain close to the labor and delivery unit.
We have a dedicated team of emergency care experts to help you if you are experiencing any symptoms of pre-term labor or other serious issues. Any expectant mother in need of urgent medical care is encouraged to come straight to the labor and delivery unit to receive immediate attention.
The labor and delivery unit at UCI Health offers full staff coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. OB physicians, nurses and anesthesiologists are ready at a moments' notice.
Our antepartum unit is dedicated to expectant mothers who need to be hospitalized before the birth of their child. We provide spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs and access to tablets featuring educational materials.
UCI Health offers private labor and delivery suites for the comfort of expectant mothers and family.
For patients requiring cesarean procedures, we offer dedicated surgical space in the maternity unit.
Our private delivery suites also have a spacious restroom with shower for your comfort.
Our Mother-Baby Unit features 13 private and semi-private suites for mothers to recover and bond with their babies. The rooms are spacious, with built-in beds to accommodate care partners or guests.
Holding your baby after birth has many physical and emotional benefits for both of you. We encourage "The Golden Hour," an uninterrupted hour with your newborn, and skin-to-skin contact so you can bond by holding him or her against your bare chest.
Our goal is to keep you and your baby together as much as possible after birth. Your baby will remain in the room with you, where our nursing team will provide care to both of you. Our care team works with your family to plan and coordinate inpatient activities in preparation for the journey home.
Our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is equipped to care for infants with the most challenging health complications, including brain injury, respiratory failure and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Our NICU is a Level III unit, meaning that it meets the rigorous standards set by the state of California.
Dining options for new mothers include choices from an expansive menu, custom ordered to fit their dietary needs.
Our nurses and lactation consultants are available for individual breastfeeding counseling and assistance. UCI Health is committed to providing breastfeeding education to mothers and is a Baby-Friendly hospital as designated by Baby-Friendly USA.
We provide birth certificate services on-site to allow for easy completion of important documents.
Congenital cardiac heart screening, newborn hearing, jaundice and metabolic screenings are performed before discharge.
The Robert & Marilyn Sprague Gift Shop is located on the first floor of UCI Health Douglas Hospital.
The Tony & Daisy Fan Dining Hall is located off the main lobby of UCI Health Douglas Hospital. Our dining room is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. We have a variety of fresh, nutritious meals to serve our patients and visitors.
Board-certified pediatricians who are leaders in their clinical field will examine your baby and work with you on the care and health of the baby for a safe transition home.
You will receive instructions on car seat safety while in the hospital. We reinforce the California Child Restraint Law, which requires parents to have an appropriate car seat to take the baby home.
Our care team will provide you with education, resources and follow-up appointments to make sure you have a smooth transition home.
Congratulations on your pregnancy! We are here to support and provide you and your baby with the care you need during this special time.
A dedicated waiting area is available for families and friends to remain close to the labor and delivery unit.
We have a dedicated team of emergency care experts to help you if you are experiencing any symptoms of pre-term labor or other serious issues. Any expectant mother in need of urgent medical care is encouraged to come straight to the labor and delivery unit to receive immediate attention.
The labor and delivery unit at UCI Health offers full staff coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. OB physicians, nurses and anesthesiologists are ready at a moments' notice.
Our antepartum unit is dedicated to expectant mothers who need to be hospitalized before the birth of their child. We provide spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs and access to tablets featuring educational materials.
UCI Health offers private labor and delivery suites for the comfort of expectant mothers and family.
For patients requiring cesarean procedures, we offer dedicated surgical space in the maternity unit.
Our private delivery suites also have a spacious restroom with shower for your comfort.
Our Mother-Baby Unit features 13 private and semi-private suites for mothers to recover and bond with their babies. The rooms are spacious, with built-in beds to accommodate care partners or guests.
Holding your baby after birth has many physical and emotional benefits for both of you. We encourage "The Golden Hour," an uninterrupted hour with your newborn, and skin-to-skin contact so you can bond by holding him or her against your bare chest.
Our goal is to keep you and your baby together as much as possible after birth. Your baby will remain in the room with you, where our nursing team will provide care to both of you. Our care team works with your family to plan and coordinate inpatient activities in preparation for the journey home.
Our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is equipped to care for infants with the most challenging health complications, including brain injury, respiratory failure and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Our NICU is a Level III unit, meaning that it meets the rigorous standards set by the state of California.
Dining options for new mothers include choices from an expansive menu, custom ordered to fit their dietary needs.
Our nurses and lactation consultants are available for individual breastfeeding counseling and assistance. UCI Health is committed to providing breastfeeding education to mothers and is a Baby-Friendly hospital as designated by Baby-Friendly USA.
We provide birth certificate services on-site to allow for easy completion of important documents.
Congenital cardiac heart screening, newborn hearing, jaundice and metabolic screenings are performed before discharge.
The Robert & Marilyn Sprague Gift Shop is located on the first floor of UCI Health Douglas Hospital.
The Tony & Daisy Fan Dining Hall is located off the main lobby of UCI Health Douglas Hospital. Our dining room is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. We have a variety of fresh, nutritious meals to serve our patients and visitors.
Board-certified pediatricians who are leaders in their clinical field will examine your baby and work with you on the care and health of the baby for a safe transition home.
You will receive instructions on car seat safety while in the hospital. We reinforce the California Child Restraint Law, which requires parents to have an appropriate car seat to take the baby home.
Our care team will provide you with education, resources and follow-up appointments to make sure you have a smooth transition home.
Medical residents and your care team
UCI Health is a teaching hospital. Your care team may include attending physicians, fellows, resident physicians and medical students.
Residents and fellows are licensed doctors receiving advanced specialty training and work closely with supervising attending physicians. Together, our team is committed to providing safe, compassionate, high-quality care while training the next generation of physicians.
If you have questions about any member of your care team, please ask your physician or care team.
Featured News Stories
NICU carnival and reunion celebrates graduates and their families
Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminder: Screening saves lives
Risks of drinking alcohol with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Featured Blog Posts
PMOS: Name change may improve diagnosis
Preventing dangerous heat illnesses
Protecting your lungs during wildfires
Upcoming Events
10-12 a.m.
Breastfeeding Education: UCI Health — Fountain Valley
6-8 p.m.
UCI Health — Fountain Valley Childbirth Preparation
5-7 p.m.