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Childbirth Center
A Message to our Community
A Safe and Comfortable Pregnancy: You Got This
Welcoming a baby into the world is one of life’s greatest experiences—one that should fill your heart with joy. Let us be your partner during the months leading up to your delivery day, ensuring you approach your pregnancy with both happy anticipation and confidence.
Providence’s experts work with you. We dig deep into your preferences and concerns and help you discover the most up-to-date options that are best for your situation. We listen to you and help you make informed choices. It’s a pregnancy journey that addresses your head and heart –and that makes a lot of sense at this special time.
Let’s Plan Together
When you choose an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) to be your partner through pregnancy and delivery, we’ll help you create a birth plan that fits your preferences. We respect and honor your plan–understanding that preferences and safety concerns can change throughout your pregnancy and right up to delivery day.
Developing a birth plan is easier with an OB-GYN who listens to you, understands you, and shares in your decision-making. Need help finding an OB to fit your personality and preferences? Take this list of questions with you to your first appointment to help you find an OB-GYN partner who’s right for you.
A Modern Labor and Delivery Approach
When you go into labor, you can expect the same level of supportive, compassionate, and safe care you’ve received throughout your pregnancy. We’ll respect your birth plan, and you’ll be able to choose when and if pain medication will be used. Your labor and delivery experience will be based on your preferences and what is safest for you and your baby at the time of delivery.
Most babies can be born with very little medical help, and that’s good news because when we minimize surgical intervention, we help ensure a safer delivery. We’ll monitor your health and the health of your baby during the labor and birthing process. Unless necessary, we’ll work with you to avoid common interventions like inducing labor or episiotomy to help prevent dangerous complications that can delay healing.
Lower Risk. Higher Confidence: Having a Baby the Providence Way
At the same time, we know every birth is different, as is every new mom. If you choose an epidural for pain relief–even if you change your mind from your birth plan–we will honor your request when it’s safe to do. You are in charge of your birth experience, and that means easing your discomfort.
Did you know that women are three times more likely to experience complications during cesarean delivery? For your safety, our OB-GYNs encourage vaginal birth even if you’ve had a previous C-section, when possible. However, there are times when a cesarean delivery may be medically necessary, and our experts will help ensure both you and your baby are safe and comfortable.
Let’s Start this Journey Together
If you’re ready for an outstanding pregnancy experience, start by choosing an OB-GYN who will be a good fit for you and will prioritize your safety. It’s so important to find someone who listens to you, doesn't pressure you, and gets you–both your head and your heart.
It’s your pregnancy. Let Providence be your partner.
Bringing a child into the world will change your life in wonderful and unforgettable ways. At Providence St. Joseph Hospital Eureka’s Childbirth Center, we offer family-centered maternity care that’s designed to focus on your needs and your baby’s. Our supportive nursing staff is specially trained to care for you and your family with skill and compassion during your entire stay.
Your baby deserves the best possible start to life. You deserve a labor and delivery that reflects your preferences. That’s why we’ve designed holistic services to make the birth of your baby as safe and comfortable as possible, in an environment that works for you.
You’ll be surrounded by calming aromatherapy and music and bathed in soothing lighting. Your doula can be with you throughout your laboring process, if you wish.
Our childbirth team will support you through delivery, offering a variety of pain control methods to suit your preferences:
- Birthing balls
- Nitrous oxide
- Patient-controlled epidural (you choose when you need an extra dose of pain relief)
- Walking
- Water immersion
The first hour after birth is a special time for you and your family to bond with baby. Immediately after your baby is born, he/she is dried off and placed skin-to-skin on your bare chest. As long as the baby is healthy, the two of you will remain undisturbed. Bathing and weighing will be delayed for the first hour, giving you and your family the chance to cherish this special time together. This remarkable bonding experience can greatly improve a baby’s growth and development.
We’re recognized by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative for our work to reduce the number of unnecessary cesarean sections. Our trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) services contribute to these efforts.
TOLAC is a planned attempt to labor after you’ve previously had a cesarean delivery but now desire a vaginal delivery. VBAC is a successful trial of labor that results in a vaginal birth.
TOLAC and VBAC come with risks and benefits. Talk to your doctor about these during your prenatal care to help you make the best choice for you and your baby.
You’ll find a range of specialists focused on making your pregnancy, labor and delivery as easy for you as possible as you prepare for your little one. Our team includes:
- Certified nurse-midwives
- Experienced obstetricians
- Registered nurses
- RN certified lactation consultants
After the birth of your child, you’ll receive expert support from our registered nurse lactation consultants, certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. Our consultants will provide:
- Breastfeeding consultations
- Follow-up phone check-ins
- Outpatient visits after you leave the hospital to help you with any breastfeeding difficulties
You may also want to participate in our breastfeeding support groups, now available on Zoom.
Learn more about our breastfeeding policies and approach to teaching new mothers here: Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
We have the only Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) on the North Coast. Staffed with specially trained health care professionals and offering advanced technology, our NICU provides your newborn with highly specialized care if the need arises.
Our NICU nurses have advanced training in neonatal resuscitation, stabilization and continued care for ill or premature babies.
We provide neonatal transports throughout Humboldt and Del Norte counties with specialized neonatal nurses from our NICU.
We also participate in the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco Perinatal Outreach Program. Our partnership with UCSF provides:
- Around-the-clock clinical consultation with maternal-fetal medicine specialists and neonatologists
- Continuing education courses for our team
- Emergency response drills and simulations
There’s a lot to think about before your new baby’s arrival. That’s why we offer a range of classes to help you prepare for birth, breastfeeding and beyond.
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Birth Basics: Labor, Delivery, and more!
This class offers an overview of the childbirth experience. Experienced labor and delivery nurses will focus on what to expect when you deliver your baby. Topics covered include phases of labor, fetal monitoring, natural childbirth techniques, cesarean birth, newborn care, and so much more. We welcome all pregnant moms and their support people to a relaxed learning environment where we will help you become prepared, confident, and empowered for your baby's birth. Healthy snacks and refreshments will be provided. Registration required. Free.
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Comfort in Labor
This 2-hour hands-on class is taught by an experienced labor and delivery nurse. Learn techniques, tools and positioning to help ease the discomfort of labor naturally. A small group setting will enable participants to test out their knowledge and ask questions in order to feel more prepared for their birth experience. Registration required. Free.
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Healing the Postpartum Pelvis
This one-hour class offers an introduction to postpartum pelvic physical therapy. We will offer education, discussion, and support. Learn how to take care of yourself after having baby. This class is taught by Sarah Landis, a pelvic floor physical therapist.
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Infant CPR
This class is ideal for new parents, grandparents and anyone interested in learning life-saving techniques. You’ll learn how to identify an emergency, choking, CPR and basic first aid for infants. This class is led by an OB RN and intended for those who want to learn CPR but don't need certification. Every other month, registration required. Free.
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Breastfeeding Basics
This important class will prepare you for what you need to know about breastfeeding before you go to the hospital, breastfeeding while you are in the hospital and breastfeeding after you leave the hospital. Topics include: latching/positioning, malting enough milk, common concerns, working, weaning and so much more. This is a very comprehensive class for both you and your partners, spouses and support people. We strongly encourage support people to attend. Registration required. Free.
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Breastfeeding Works for the Working Woman
If you are a breastfeeding mother and preparing to return to work or school, come join us for this " hands-on" and informative class. We will discuss, step-by-step, how to talk to your boss about breastfeeding, time and place to pump, maintaining your milk supply, choosing a breast pump, storing and feeding breastmilk from a bottle and keeping a work/motherhood balance in your life. Free.
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Baby Care Basics
This class covers everything that you need to know about taking care of and feeding a baby. Starting when your baby is a newborn, this class will cover swaddling, diapering, bathing feeding, umbilical cord care, immunizations, check-ups, soothing a crying infant and so much more. This class is a must for parents! Registration required. Free.
Childbirth Center orientation and childbirth preparation classes are offered weekly. We also offer breastfeeding support groups on Zoom. If in-person classes aren't available because of Covid-19, Zoom classes will be available at the following Zoom ID: 863-5941-6390.
Zoom classes are available for Birth Basics, Baby Care Basics, Infant CPR and Breastfeeding Basics.
To register for classes, visit our classes and events page. Choose your region and the “Prenatal & Childbirth” category. You can also call 877-449-3627 for more information.
Free pregnancy and parenting app
Circle® is a free pregnancy and parenting app that provides useful health resources and tools, top-notch pregnancy calculator and tools to help track ovulation, weight, blood pressure, and vaccinations. Enjoy easy access to program information, services and classes, too!
From early pregnancy through your child’s toddler and teen years, Circle customizes information based on your family’s needs.
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