Labor & Delivery

• Obstetricians (OB): Board-certified with years of labor and delivery expertise in our hospital.
• Maternal-fetal Medicine (MFM): Specialists who care for mothers having high-risk pregnancies.
• Certified nurse-midwifes (CNM): If you have chosen to use our CNMs throughout your pregnancy, they will be with you during labor and delivery. 
• Woman's health nurses: Our nurses are specially trained to assist doctors in a labor and delivery setting.
• Obstetric anesthesiologist: To administer medication and epidurals as needed for pain relief during labor and delivery.

A high-risk team is ready to provide specialized care

If your baby needs critical care or surgery, we are prepared. Your baby's care team can include:

• Pediatric congenital heart surgeons
• Pediatric neurosurgeons
• Pediatric anesthesiologists
• Critical care NICU team

Labor & Delivery is located on the 7th Floor of AUMC. We offer convenient parking in the parking deck next to the hospital entrance and helpful staff to get you to us.

• Where is the hospital?
  Augusta University Medical Center (AUMC)
• Where do I park? 
  Medical Center Parking Deck -15th Street (Entrance 3). 
• How do I get to Labor & Delivery from the parking deck? 
  See the walking map to show you how to get to L&D.
• What if I go into labor after hours? (10:00 pm - 5:00 am)
  Go to the Emergency Department (ED) on Harper St. (Entrance 1).

Instructions:

For patients in labor during regular hours (5:00 am - 10:00 pm)

If you go into labor during regular hospital hours, here's what to do:

1. Pull into (Entrance 3) off of 15th Street.
2. Don’t park yet, instead, drive around to AUMC (Entrance A)
3. Inside the hospital, there are Blue Coat Ambassadors at the desk, they will get you to the 7th floor.
4. Your support person can now park and follow the walking map.

After-hours access (10:00 pm - 5:00 am) 

The only way to get to Labor & Delivery after hours is though the Emergency Department (Entrance 1) on Harper St.

1. Drive up to the Emergency Department entrance.
2. Go to the triage desk and tell them you are having your baby.
3. Your support person can then park at the Medical Center Parking Deck and follow the walking map to Labor & Delivery.

Have a scheduled delivery?

If you have a scheduled induction or C-section, there is usually no rush to get to Labor & Delivery, follow the walking directions below or see the walking map .

1. Park in the Medical Center Parking Deck.
2. Go to AUMC (Entrance A), a Blue Coat Ambassador will direct you to
   Elevator D
3. Take Elevator D to the 7th floor, Labor & Delivery

If there is an emergency

Call 911! Always come to the ED if you go into labor earlier than expected, if you have had trauma where you (or the baby) could be injured, or for any other emergency situation. Emergency Department - (Entrance 1) Harper St.

You don’t always know how your baby will come into the world. Most often, it’s through the natural onset of labor; however, it could also be through a scheduled induction or a surgical Cesarean section. No matter what the method, when the time comes, AU Health is 100% prepared to help you through labor, delivery, and recovery.

What will happen the day I have my baby?

*The following information is a basic overview of what to expect when you have your baby at AUMC. Every birth is different. Therefore, we may need to adjust care to fit your needs, depending on your situation.

When you arrive at the hospital, you'll check in at Labor & Delivery. We'll contact your obstetrician or nurse-midwife if they have not already been notified. Then you and your support person will be brought to the delivery room. A monitor will be strapped to your belly to keep careful watch of your baby’s heart rate. You will also have an IV line put in to provide needed fluids. 

• Vaginal delivery: Your condition will be assessed to determine what stage of labor you are in. This is done periodically, through an internal exam, to see how far your cervix is dilated. Depending on the stage, you can ask for pain relief via epidural or other method. If you choose not to have an epidural, you will be allowed to walk around if you want to. We can provide both exercise and peanut balls to help with your comfort during labor. Monitoring of mother and baby will continue throughout labor and delivery. Should no complications arise, you will soon meet your baby!
  
  If you are having a VBAC, or vaginal birth after Cesarean, a labor and delivery plan will be decided between you and your doctor that is safe for both you and your baby.
• Induction: If you are having an induction (induced birth), a special medication will be given to you intravenously to help encourage your body to go into labor. As your body starts to labor, you can ask for pain relief. Inductions usually progress as vaginal deliveries unless complications arise, in which case an emergency C-section is performed.
• Cesarean section (C-section): For mothers who have a scheduled Cesarean section, surgery will be performed by your obstetrician. C-sections are carried out with the utmost safety and care for you and your baby. A support person is usually allowed in the room with you during your procedure.
  
  An emergency C-section may need to be done if the baby's or mother's life is suddenly "at-risk" during a delivery. Our obstetricians have the highest level of training to do this procedure in an emergency. They are assisted by anesthesiologists and other specialists.
•  High-risk deliveries: If you are a high-risk pregnancy, you will have your baby in our OBED; delivered by highly trained doctors and surgeons ready to care for your baby from the moment they are born. Our NICU is only steps away from the delivery room, so any baby who needs extra attention can be seen quickly by our critical care team.

After your baby is born

We know how important the first moments with your baby are. No matter how your baby comes into the world, we respect your right to have that special time to welcome them. So, except in cases of emergency or high-risk deliveries, your baby will be given to you and your partner immediately. We will hold off on any interruptions during this time. When you’re ready, we will take your baby and begin a comprehensive health assessment.

What happens next?

After your delivery you will be brought back to your room to recover. If you had a C-section you will be brought back after your surgery is complete. Now begins the postpartum phase. As a new mother, you will have a lot of emotions and questions and that’s normal! Our trained nurses and support staff are here to answer all your questions and help you begin adjusting to your new life with your baby. We offer:

• Mother baby couplet care – Rooming-in with your baby can start immediately. We encourage mothers to room with their newborns as soon as possible after a routine delivery.
• 24/7 nurse access- During your time with us you will be monitored and cared for by trained women's health nurses.
• Initial postpartum care – This includes wound care, help with walking, bathroom trips, or any other needs you might have.
• Breastfeeding and lactation support – Certified lactation specialists are available to help you with breastfeeding, ask your nurse for more information.

How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

Typically, the stay after a vaginal delivery is 26-48 hours while the stay after a C-section is 48-72 hours - these are, of course, on average. We do not discharge anyone prior to 24 hours as babies are required by the state of Georgia to have a metabolic screening at (or after) 24 hours of birth.

AU Health Perinatal Facebook page: Get the latest information and updates about Labor & Delivery at AUMC.

Take a virtual tour of Labor & Delivery at AUMC

Prenatal Education

AU Health offers prenatal educational classes. These classes are taken before your baby arrives.

• In-person Tours of L&D: Visit our Facebook page to find out how to sign up for in-person tours of AUMC labor & delivery.

• L&D Virtual Tour with Nurse Q&A: ( Under Class Type select "Labor and delivery Q&A", then click Search) Our monthly virtual tour and information session on what to expect for your upcoming delivery at AU Health. This is a nurse led event where you can get your learn more about how to get here, who you will encounter, what to bring for your stay & get your questions answered.

• Breastfeeding Information Sessions: Information sessions are run by AU Health lactation consultants and are designed to prepare you for successful breastfeeding. Classes are offered Saturday morning virtual sessions or Thursday evenings in-person.