The New Life Center - Welcoming Your Baby into the World
Having a baby is a one-of-a-kind experience. For most, it’s one of the biggest changes you’ll have in your lifetime.

In February of 2004, our New Life Center helped coordinate the complex delivery of Ohio’s first sextuplets. While not every family will need such extensive birth planning, we feel that each delivery is unique and requires much careful thought and personal attention. Last year, we were proud to help families welcome over 3,200 new babies into the world.

From the routine deliveries to high-risk pregnancies, parents have the reassurance that Akron General offers Level III Obstetric Service, the highest level of care available in obstetrics. Our specially trained staff, maternal-fetal medicine specialists and anesthesiologists are available 24-hours a day.

Expecting parents are also happy to learn that our private and spacious rooms are designed for labor and delivery while having special comforts. These features include the warm-water tub, rocking chairs, birthing balls, private bathroom and showers, TVs and CD players for relaxation.

Testing & Counseling During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, testing helps ensure the health of both mom and baby. Akron General offers state-of-the-art ultrasound technology and specialized testing such as amniocentesis, RH sensitization and percutaneous umbilical sampling (PUBS).

We also offer nutrition counseling for women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, especially those who have special nutrition needs or are at risk for diabetes or gestational diabetes. Appointments can be made with or without a doctor’s order through our Central Scheduling line at 330-996-5760.

Postpartum
Once your baby is born, and after your initial recovery in the labor and delivery unit, you will be moved to our mother-baby unit for postpartum care. The unit has 22 rooms, with 19 of them being private and occasionally some being semi-private. We make every attempt to accommodate private rooms and encourage support persons to stay with their loved one. During your stay in our mother-baby unit, your infant will remain with you. We believe that new mothers should spend as much time as possible with their newborns while at Akron General. We also support breastfeeding and have staff available to help you meet this goal.

Sometimes baby is not ready to go home when mom is discharged from the hospital, if that is the case, we make every effort to offer a Mother-Infant Bonding program that lets mom stay at the hospital near baby until baby goes home.

Nursery
Your baby will remain with you as much as you wish unless the doctor determines the need for closer evaluation. Although babies are usually with their parents, our secured nurseries are staffed around the clock and offer classes for parents about infant care.

Specialized Care Before Delivery—A Service for High-Risk Moms and Babies
Akron General cares for mom and baby during high-risk pregnancies and for fragile newborns. Moms who are on bed rest or require additional monitoring stay in our Peri-natal Unit, located just off of the Main Lobby. Nurses are able to monitor mom and baby at the bedside, from our nursing station or offices. For added safety and reassurance, an alerting feature notifies staff should changes arise quickly. We strive to offer all the comforts of home during mom’s extended stay.

Newborns Stay Close to Mom, Even Premies—Children’s Special Care Nursery at Akron General
Our very special partnership with Akron Children’s Hospital means that babies who need close observation can many times stay closer to mom in the Children’s Special Care Nursery at Akron General. When babies need an even higher level of care, they are transferred just a block away to Akron Children’s Hospital. Their parents can have confidence knowing that there’s a continuity of care with our special partnership.

Adding to your family and want to learn more about Akron General? We offer year-round tours of our New Life Center and a Before Baby Maternity Fair twice annually.

Receive a free packet of information about planning for your delivery by calling our Women’s Center at 330-344-6868. Low-cost childbirth, pre-natal and post-natal classes are held at the Medical Center and at our Health & Wellness Centers – West and North.