Labor and delivery
The Birthplace in Riverside, California
We aim to support your unique priorities throughout pregnancy and childbirth.
At Riverside Community Hospital's birth center — The Birthplace — our team helps you navigate your pregnancy and birth experience with confidence. Our obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs) provide personalized care in a family-centered environment.
Expert advice, available 24/7
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties.
Our pregnancy and childbirth care
We are here to help you celebrate the new addition to your family while helping to keep you both safe and comfortable throughout your hospital stay.
Comprehensive maternity services
We understand that choosing the right place to welcome your baby into the world is a big decision. At our hospital, we offer:
- Couplet care, meaning we care for mom and baby in the same space
- Glider rockers in our postpartum and antepartum rooms
- Infant security system to keep your baby safe
- Obstetrics hospitalists and anesthesiologists on-site 24/7
- Opportunity to preregister for your birthing experience
- Overnight accommodations for one support person
- Postanesthesia care space for mothers after cesarean sections (C-sections)
- Private birthing suites and wireless labor monitoring
- Skin-to-skin bonding during the first hour following birth
- Two full-service operating rooms within our maternity unit for planned and unplanned C-sections
- Virtual maternity tours
- Wireless internet access throughout the hospital stay
Our hospital is also recognized by Blue California with a Blue Distinction Centers+ for Maternity Care designation, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.
Classes at our labor and delivery hospital
We offer you and your family several labor and delivery classes to promote a positive birthing experience.
- Baby bump brunch — Offered in Spanish and English, this class is designed to help you prepare for your special day. The full series is 4-weeks long and is also offered as a nighttime dinner option.
- Building blocks for big siblings — This is a chance for your children to learn how to be around a new baby. Our class is available the second Saturday of each month.
High-risk pregnancy care
We are proud to provide support and education to mothers experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. Your pregnancy may be considered high risk for a number of reasons, including age or preexisting medical conditions. Our perinatal nurse navigator can support you throughout pregnancy and delivery, as well as a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay.
Our goal is to alleviate some of the concerns expectant mothers may have during a high-risk pregnancy. We can:
- Act as a consistent point of contact for your family and physicians
- Build a caring and supportive relationship by providing extra support during your pregnancy
- Coordinate care across our teams of specialists involved in high-risk pregnancy and neonatal intensive care
- Explain your physician-directed care plan when questions arise
- Offer you 24/7 perinatologist consultations
- Prepare to assist with and manage early labor
- Provide treatment for pregnancy-related conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure
Level III NICU
If your child is born early or requires additional medical attention following their birth, we have board-certified neonatologists on-site in our Level III NICU. Our neonatal specialists care for babies born as early as 23 weeks, also referred to as micropreemies.
If your child is born prematurely at a different hospital, our neonatal transport team is available 24/7 to facilitate a transfer and make sure they receive the care they need at our facility.
Postpartum support
Our nursing team understands how special the first few days with your new baby can be. Postpartum services we provide include:
- Adjustable bassinets that swivel 360 degrees, helping you remain comfortable and keeping your baby safe
- In-room Mom365 baby portrait session with a free photo for every baby born at our hospital
- Obstetric nurses trained in lactation services who provide 24/7 breastfeeding assistance
- Private consultations with our certified lactation consultants who are on-site seven days a week
Making choices about pregnancy and childbirth
Having a baby can be a wonderful journey, as well as a time of apprehension. To decrease any potential worry, you can choose your doctor and design your birth plan in advance.
Create your birth plan
When thinking about having a baby, you may have your own idea of the "perfect birth." One way to support this is to write out a birth plan.
A birth plan is a written record of your ideas and expectations for the birth of your baby. Having a birth plan allows your doctor and nurse to know your preferences during labor and delivery. However, it's important to recognize that your birth plan isn't set in stone. Situations can arise during labor and delivery that may cause your doctor to forgo your birth plan in order to ensure the safety of you and your baby.
Birth plans are as individual as the women who write them. Here are a just few examples of issues you may address in yours:
- After the baby is born, how do you plan to feed him or her?
- Do you want pain medications?
- Would you like to use nonmedicinal, IV medications or epidurals?
- Do you want to have an episiotomy?
- During the first stage of labor do you want to remain mobile or would you prefer to remain in bed?
- Is there a specific position that you would like to give birth in?
- Do you want a mirror positioned so that you can see the delivery?
- What type of environment do you prefer?
- Do you want dim lights, music or to wear your own clothes?
- Who do you want present for the birth of your baby?
- Do you want your partner to cut the umbilical cord?
- Will you allow residents to be at the birth of your child?
If you have other concerns about your birth, speak with your doctor for advice.
Finding the right obstetrician
Having a doctor you trust and feel comfortable with for prenatal care can make all the difference in the world. That's why it's never too early to decide which doctor will deliver your bundle of joy.
It's a good idea to have a preconception exam as soon as you begin thinking of making an addition to your family. Knowing you are healthy or taking steps to become healthier will ease your mind and make the transition to pregnancy easier on your body.
Many obstetricians are also gynecologists. And while some gynecologists do not deliver babies, they should be able to recommend a doctor for your delivery. You can visit several OB/GYNs and see if you feel comfortable with their approach to care.
Questions you can use to initiate discussion or to help make your decision include:
- Does the caregiver deliver at the location you've chosen?
- Does your caregiver offer medications during labor? Which ones?
- Is the caregiver located close to your work or home?
- Is your caregiver available and forthcoming with answers to your questions?
- Is your caregiver willing to listen to and respect your preferences if possible?
- Under what circumstances would labor be induced, or a C-section performed?
Delivering at The Birthplace
Kari and Cullen Brown share their experience giving birth to their son in our labor and delivery department.
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