The Very Best Care for You and Your Baby

Welcoming a baby is a life-changing moment, and we’re honored to be a part of your journey. At Maimonides Health, the Stella and Joseph Payson Birthing Center in Brooklyn provides expert, compassionate care. Our caring, skilled team delivers thousands of babies each year. We do our best to understand your needs. We listen. We care. We’re committed to making your birth experience as comfortable and positive as possible.

Our Team is Dedicated to You

Your safety and well-being come first. Our multidisciplinary team has advanced clinical expertise to deliver high-quality care.

Our obstetrics team includes highly skilled OB/GYNs and certified nurse-midwives. Both types of providers see patients in the outpatient setting and deliver babies at Maimonides. Both have extensive training in managing prenatal, birthing, and postpartum care. They can prescribe pain medication during labor, induce labor when needed, and order epidural anesthesia for moms who want it. Both encourage use of peanut balls, ambulation and movement in labor.

Certified nurse-midwives typically work within a medical practice and consult with or refer patients to an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) when necessary. They might do so when the mother experiences gestational diabetes or hypertension, for example. These providers are known for their holistic approach, emphasizing education and personal care.

A Warm, Welcoming Place to Deliver Your Baby

We recently redecorated our labor and delivery area to create a warm, calming space that enhances the birth experience. Rooms reflect nature’s beauty, helping reduce stress and promote comfort. Our 11 labor and birthing rooms have the latest equipment to support a safe, smooth vaginal birth. We also have four dedicated labor and birthing rooms for women with high-risk pregnancies, including those planning for a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) or a C-section. If you choose a natural (unmedicated) birth, our team is here to support you with personalized care and comfort techniques.

After your baby is born, you’ll move to a private or semi-private postpartum room. Your baby will stay with you unless they need specialized care in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Our NICU is renowned for our exceptional care of premature newborns and infants who need medical support after birth.

Learn About Our Deluxe Private Maternity Rooms. You may be able to request a Deluxe Private Maternity Room, which is available at an additional cost. These postpartum rooms offer comfort, convenience, and a little indulgence during your stay at Maimonides.

Learn About Our Deluxe Private Maternity Rooms

Our Commitment to Your Comfort

We prioritize your comfort during labor and the birth of your baby. Our board-certified obstetric anesthesiologists specialize in pain management and will talk with you about your options including:

• Epidural or spinal analgesia (anesthesia)
• Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas)
• IV pain medication
• Regional or general anesthesia for a Cesarean delivery

Maimonides is Brooklyn’s only hospital with 24/7 doulas. Working alongside doctors, certified nurse-midwives, nurses, and childbirth specialists, they provide free, non-medical support, including emotional support and pain relief strategies. If you’d like a doula, ask your provider during pregnancy or request one when you arrive.

We’ve created a passport to home to help you know what to expect during your stay.

How to Prepare for Your Birth Experience

During your pregnancy, your childbirth team will guide you through every step and provide:

• • Routine prenatal checkups and testing
  • Advice on nutrition, exercise, and healthy habits
  • Help to create a birth plan, including stages of labor and pain management options
  • Monitoring and care for high-risk pregnancies
  • Download Your Guide to Pregnancy & Birth at Maimonides Health

Your OB/GYN office will also help you pre-register for the birth of your baby and ensure a smooth transition to the hospital. Our seamless registration process means our team will be ready for you when you arrive.

Visitors

You are welcome to have visitors during your stay. Please follow these guidelines.

• Labor and delivery – Up to two people in the room with you (including a doula)
• Planned C-section – One person may be with you. In an emergency (such as an unplanned C-section), they may need to stay in the waiting room.
• After birth – Up to two people at a time from 9:00 am–9:00 pm
• Overnight stays – One person can stay overnight in a Deluxe Private Maternity Room (available for an additional cost). Some standard rooms can accommodate an overnight guest.

After Your Baby is Born

After your baby is born, you’ll move to a private or semi-private postpartum room. Each has a television and bathroom. If available, you may choose a Deluxe Private Maternity Room for added comfort and amenities.

Newborn Testing and Care

Our labor and delivery team offers complete newborn care, including:

• Physical exam
• Antibiotic eye ointment to prevent infection
• Hearing test
• Congenital heart disease screening
• Vitamin K injection
• Blood tests for various disorders
• First dose of the hepatitis B vaccine

We strongly recommend all newborn tests, screenings, and preventive care. Please talk to your OB/GYN if you have questions.

Specialized Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

While most births go smoothly, some newborns require extra care. Maimonides has Brooklyn’s largest NICU and is one of 17 regional perinatal centers in New York State. Our state-of-the-art NICU provides advanced treatments and specialized care.

When It’s Time to Go Home

Most hospital stays last two days after a vaginal birth and four to five days after a C-section. Medical needs may require an extended stay.

From day one, your care team helps you prepare for your return home. We provide education and support so you feel confident and ready.

Discharge is typically 11:00 am. Please arrange transportation in advance.

What You Need Before Leaving the Hospital

You need to have the following items with you before we can discharge your baby home.

• A car seat for your newborn
• A going-home outfit, such as a sleeper set, undershirt, and socks or booties
• A blanket and cap for cold weather

Also, plan to order your baby’s birth certificate as soon as possible. You’ll need it for important tasks like adding your baby to your health insurance or applying for a passport. It’s best to start the process within the first few weeks after the birth of your baby to avoid any delays.

After You Return Home

The six weeks after your baby is born is the postpartum period. This is a special time with your baby and a time for you to heal and recover. Our detailed guide covers many helpful resources:

• Postpartum self-care
• When to call your provider or your baby’s pediatrician
• How to feed your baby
• Newborn safety at home and in the car

Breastfeeding Support

Breastfeeding provides ideal nutrition and supports your baby’s growth and development. It also helps create a strong emotional bond between you and your baby.

But breastfeeding is not always easy. We offer lactation consultations during and after your hospital stay to help.

Postpartum Pelvic Floor Therapy

Pregnancy and childbirth can weaken pelvic floor muscles. A pelvic floor therapist can provide an evaluation and personalized plan. The Postpartum Exercise and Recovery Liaisons for Pelvic Floor Health (PEARL) program offers specialized therapy. It is the first and only program in Brooklyn dedicated to providing diagnostic and treatment services for postpartum women affected by pelvic floor conditions.

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