Pregnancy and Childbirth

Why choose us for pregnancy and childbirth?

BJC HealthCare works with WashU Medicine physicians, BJC Medical Group, and providers across the region to deliver extraordinary care. We have a reputation as a regional leader in women’s health and pregnancy care. That’s why so many people turn to us when it’s time to plan their families. Our experienced obstetricians, maternity nurses, and high-risk pregnancy team can care for women with all types of pregnancies.

When you give birth at one of our hospitals you’ll benefit from:

• Patient- and family-centered care: We focus on you and your family throughout your pregnancy and during labor and delivery. That means that our expert staff listens to your birthing plan and does everything possible to make sure you have the birthing experience you want.
• Breadth of services: Throughout BJC, you’ll find a wide range of care and support for all types of pregnancies and deliveries, from thorough prenatal care to specialized services for high-risk pregnancies. We also provide perinatal behavioral health services, including individual or couples therapy, screening and care for postpartum depression, and psychiatry services.
• Classes and facility tours: Our experienced labor and delivery nurses offer a variety of classes for you and your partner. Topics include how to prepare for childbirth, caring for your baby, breastfeeding, and introducing an older child to a new sibling.
• Counseling and education:  For women who choose to breastfeed, we have certified lactation specialists on site seven days per week for individual counseling and education.
• Highly skilled doctors: All our obstetrician-gynecologists are board certified. You can feel confident that you will receive high-quality care from doctors who meet nationally recognized standards for experience and skills in their specialty.
• Expert prenatal tests and screening: Our ultrasound and genetics specialists provide accurate, safe prenatal tests to help you learn more about your baby’s development and health.

Pregnancy and childbirth treatments

You have many options when it comes to giving birth. Making a birth plan before labor and delivery ensures that your care team understands your wishes. And while not all deliveries go according to plan, we do our best to support your birth plan at every step.

Your birth plan describes how you want your birth experience to go. It can include your pain management preferences, who you would like with you during labor and delivery and whether you would like a natural birth.

Your care team will help you understand your birth and delivery options:

Vaginal birth

You deliver your baby through your vagina (birth canal), not surgically, with or without medication.

Scheduled Cesarean (C-section)

We remove your baby through an incision in your abdomen if a vaginal delivery puts you or your baby at risk.

Unplanned Cesarean

You and your provider may decide on a C-section if risks or complications arise during labor and delivery.

Trial of labor after C-section (TOLAC) and Vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC)

TOLAC is the process of having a vaginal birth after a C-section (VBAC) in a past pregnancy. Talk to your provider if you’re considering a VBAC.

Scheduled induction

We may plan to give you medication to start labor for medical reasons if you’re past your due date by two weeks or more.

Natural childbirth

Natural childbirth means giving birth without pain medication. Relaxation techniques, birthing balls, and hydrotherapy are pain relief alternatives.

Labor and delivery rooms

We outfit our birthing suites with the comforts of home and all the necessary technology and capabilities to keep you and your baby safe. If you need an unplanned C-section, we have operating rooms immediately available.

Our luxurious birthing suites include:

• Comfortable sleeper recliners and sofa beds for family members
• TV with cable television access
• Free Wi-Fi
• Labor tubs (available in select hospitals)
• Labor bars and birthing balls and stools