Memorial Hospital West Family Birthplace

The Family Birthplace at Memorial Hospital West is committed to providing our families with skilled, compassionate care as you journey through labor, delivery and those first precious few days with your little one.

Once your little one arrives, you both will be moved to one of our comfortable postpartum suites with private bathrooms, TVs, and free WiFi access. We also have dedicated antepartum suites for our pregnant moms who require close monitoring. In addition, we provide a gourmet meal the night before discharge and a take-home family meal for your first night at home.

Our hospital has:

• Labor/delivery/recovery (LDR) suites 
• Postpartum suites
• Cesarean section rooms
• Antepartum suites
• Level III NICU rooms
• Nitrous oxide

• Online Orientation
• Online
  Classes
• Pre-Register
  
  
• Clases
  en Español

Maternity Education

Baby Classes Are Hybrid

Our team is excited to introduce hybrid (in-person and virtual) classes taught by our Memorial Family Birthplace educators.

You may register for any class, regardless of which Family Birthplace location you choose for the birth of your baby.­ Some of these classes are also offered in Spanish / Ciertas clases también se ofrecen en español.

Register for an Online Class

Memorial Family Birthplace Pregnancy App

We encourage you to register for our free Memorial Family Birthplace Pregnancy App, an online pregnancy resource center designed to educate expectant moms about prenatal care, labor and delivery, breastfeeding, and postpartum care for you and your newborn.

Register for Pregnancy App

Maternity Orientation at Memorial Hospital West Family Birthplace

Mothers-to-be and their partners are invited to register for a virtual maternity orientation of the Family Birthplace at Memorial Hospital West. Even simple questions like “where should we park?” and “what hospital doors should we come through?” are essential to know as you prepare for your little one’s arrival. These tours are designed to help answer questions on the ins and outs of labor and delivery.

You can also watch the virtual tour and orientation videos on this page to become more familiar with our amenities and what to expect during your stay.

Recorrido del Hospital en Español

Esta guía contiene información sobre por dónde ingresar al hospital como paciente, detalles del estacionamiento, qué empacar para la estancia en el hospital y qué esperar durante y después del nacimiento de su bebé.  También se incluye información acerca de nuestro programa de educación perinatal para toda la familia.

Nuestro Hospital esta ofreciendo clases de maternidad en Español sobre cuidados del bebé y lactancia materna.

Features and Services at the Family Birthplace

Labor and Delivery

Our skilled team of doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses and lactation consultants all have one goal: to provide you and your baby with the best possible care. We are here to support, empower and encourage you to create the perfect environment to welcome your little one.

Nitrous Oxide for Labor

Memorial Family Birthplace at Memorial Hospital West offers women nitrous oxide to reduce pain and anxiety during labor and delivery. How well nitrous oxide works is different for every woman. Common side effects may include feeling drowsy, lightheaded or nauseated while you are using the gas. There are no documented effects on the fetus or baby.

Download our Nitrous Oxide Patient Information Sheet to find out more information.

Skin-to-Skin Contact

Our team is here to support immediate bonding between you and your baby. Regardless of cesarean or vaginal delivery, we encourage skin-to-skin contact with your baby immediately following birth.

Breastfeeding and Lactation Services 

If you plan to breastfeed your baby, we are here to help you get off to a successful start. Our board-certified lactation consultants have extensive experience in counseling breastfeeding mothers. New mothers can learn how to breastfeed successfully and how breastfeeding benefits their babies. Breastfeeding classes, educational materials, in-hospital support and breast pump available while you are at the hospital.

Register for Online Breastfeeding Class

Breastfeeding Support Line and Virtual Lactation Consults

On-site lactation consultants are available for comprehensive care for babies who need extra help latching and staying awake at the breast. Our goal is to help you feel encouraged and supported as you and your baby begin your breastfeeding journey. Our lactation consultants are here to support you once you and your baby go home. If you have any questions about breastfeeding or want to schedule a virtual visit, feel free to contact us at 954-844-9908.

Daily Discharge Orientation

Prior to being discharged, we offer moms nutritious take home meals and a brief orientation before you head home with your baby. This orientation is full of important going-home topics, including:

• Baby care
• Breastfeeding
• Car seat safety
• How to care for circumcisions
• Mom postpartum care
• Warning signs of postpartum depression

Birth Certificate and Social Security Number

We offer assistance completing your baby's application for a birth certificate and SSN in both Spanish and English.

High-Risk Pregnancy Care for Mom and Baby

When pregnancy comes with high risks and complications, our Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists (perinatologist) and antepartum nursing team offers exceptional clinical expertise in medicine and technology. We offer antepartum suites for our pregnant mothers who need specialized care prior to their baby’s birth.

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

The 20-bed Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Level III NICU at Memorial Hospital West is on-site at Memorial Hospital West if your little one needs more specialized care. The rooms have ambient lighting to simulate nighttime, with tiny star-like lights casting a glow over your little one. Lighting can be adjusted to help your baby’s circadian rhythm – to aid in development and healing.

Our NICU offers NICVIEW cameras that can be placed in your baby’s crib, giving you the ability to check in on them anytime you aren’t by their side. Families are provided with a unique username and password for access to streaming video of the baby at any time, day or night.

Log in to NICVIEW with your username and password.

Neonatal Bereavement Support Group

If you've experienced the loss of a pregnancy or an infant, we have resources available to support you as you heal and cope with grief.

• Hotline: Please call our hotline for more information and support at 954-844-6916.
• Online Support Group: Visit Rachel's Gift to register to attend this free, online support group on Zoom every Thursday.
• In-person: Due to the pandemic, our in-person bereavement support group for parents at Memorial Hospital Pembroke is temporarily on-hold.

Maternal Addiction

Memorial's Mothers in Recovery (MIR) program helps expecting moms struggling with drugs and/or alcohol safely withdraw from substance abuse, and supports them in meeting their recovery goals.

Hospital Birth Cost

We want to give you the information you need to make healthcare decisions, including the costs of labor and delivery.

• Hospital Cost for Self-Pay Rates (Cost without insurance)
• Hospital Cost for Insured Rates (Cost based on your insurance plan)

OB Emergency Department

Our dedicated Obstetrical Emergency Departments have a board-certified OB/GYN hospitalist, 24 hours a day/7 days a week at each location. The hospitalist works with primary care OB/GYNs to provide immediate care and make decisions regarding hospital admissions and follow-up plans. In addition, we have on-site OB anesthesiologists, a maternal transport team and midwifery support.

Awards and Certifications

• Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification: Memorial Hospital West has been awarded the program’s highest designation, Gold Safe Sleep Champion, for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. To learn what a safe sleep environment looks like for your newborn baby, please download the Safe to Sleep brochure. You can also refer to the Safe Sleep Recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Memorial Hospital West was one of the first hospitals to be recognized in Florida for educating parents on safe sleep with the Silver Certified National Safe Sleep Leader in 2016.
  
  
• Best Place to Have a Baby in Broward County award – Family Fun Publication

Register for Infant Sleep Safety Class

The Baby’s Coming: Last-Minute Checklist

• Camera and memory card
• Confirm insurance coverage or self-pay options
• Contact information for your baby’s pediatrician
• Comfortable going-home outfits for baby and mom
• Infant car seat installed correctly
• Light blanket
• Phones and device chargers

Visit our What to Expect and What to Pack pages for more information.