Labor and delivery

We are committed to the care and improvement of human life. Our top-ranked physicians and nurses have the collective experience of thousands of deliveries, including high-risk and multiple births. From the very first second of a new life, our staff will help promote physical and emotional bonding. We take a family-centered approach with moms to provide a comfortable and relaxing birthing atmosphere.

At the Family Birth Center, located on the third floor of the hospital, we offer the following services and support:

• Celebratory post-birth meals
• Doulas, including your own certified doula
• Epidural
• Free Wi-Fi and cable TV
• Pain management options

Hydrotherapy

We offer a private hydrotherapy tub to help distract laboring mothers from contraction-related discomfort. Hydrotherapy in labor combines the therapeutic feeling of water and moving bubbles to provide sources of touch and visual distraction as you advance through labor.

Lactation services

If you choose to breastfeed your baby, we'll work closely with you to teach the art of nursing. Breastfeeding a baby is a learned skill. Each of our on-site, board-certified lactation consultants are qualified to assist you with learning how to breastfeed your baby. Depending on if you choose breastfeeding or formula feeding, our knowledgeable staff will answer your questions about formula and teach you the safest methods to ensure that your baby is eating properly.

Neonatal abstinence evaluation support and treatment program (NEST)

Our NEST program is the first of its kind in Alaska, and one of only a handful in the United States. We take a comprehensive, holistic approach to the prevention of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a condition that occurs when a pregnant woman has taken narcotics, addicting her baby as well. We focus on care for the whole family, creating an open, non-judgmental recovery environment where respect, honesty and diversity are highly valued. Additionally, every baby that is admitted gets their own dedicated nurse.

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

Sometimes after birth, your baby may require additional assistance. We know this can be stressful, but, for cases of premature births or other potential complications, we have the latest technology and access to neonatologists in our extensive NICU. If your baby requires treatment for preexisting or newly developed conditions, our multidisciplinary team specializes in maternal-fetal and critical care. We treat babies and mothers as soon as they arrive and, in the NICU, our specially trained obstetricians can identify problems and plan for them before you go into labor.

Issues during pregnancy can happen to anyone, but many can easily be prevented. Failing to avoid certain risk factors can potentially result in premature birth or issues that can lead to NAS.

Some measures that can be taken to prevent problems during pregnancy include:

• Avoiding workplace hazards
• Ensuring you take medications prescribed by your doctor
• Informing your doctor about a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis
• Informing your doctor about any potential radiation exposure
• Keeping diabetes under control
• Making sure your vaccinations are up to date
• Mitigating high blood pressure
• Not drinking alcohol
• Preventing infections
• Taking folic acid