A high number of Philadelphia-area families choose Penn Medicine hospitals for pregnancy care and childbirth. In 1765, Pennsylvania Hospital was the first U.S. hospital to deliver a baby. Now, we welcome more than 5,000 babies into the world every year.
Maternity Care at Pennsylvania Hospital: Why Choose Us?
We were the first in the area — and one of fewer than 100 hospitals nationwide — to receive Perinatal Care Certification from the Joint Commission. We are also a Magnet® hospital for excellence in nursing care. These distinctions recognize our commitment to providing patient-centered care to mothers and newborns.
We offer all the maternity care services you need, including:
Private birthing suites
Pennsylvania Hospital was the first hospital in Philadelphia to offer families the comfort of private birthing suites. You can have the childbirth experience you desire, with top medical care always accessible.
You may choose to receive care from our OB-GYNs or certified nurse midwives. We are the area’s only medical center with 24/7 nurse midwifery services. We also work with doulas.
You have access to:
- Nurses trained in Lamaze International® natural childbirth methods
- Wireless fetal monitors so you can walk around, speeding labor
- Jetted whirlpool tub
- Private showers in all rooms
Infant feeding support
As a designated Baby-Friendly® Hospital, we offer International Board Certified Lactation Consultants® (IBCLC) and maternity nurses to help you succeed at breastfeeding. Should you choose to use infant formula, we show you how to prepare formula and bottle-feed your baby safely. New parents may keep babies in their rooms or use our nursery.
Our outpatient lactation and parent support center, Penn Parenting Resource Center, is a one-stop shop for infant feeding support and parent education. You can schedule a 1:1 breastfeeding consultation with one of several IBCLCs, join our breastfeeding support group, rent a breast pump, get fitted for nursing bras, and more. You can also schedule an appointment with our certified Speech Language Pathologist who provides infant feeding and swallowing evaluation and treatment.
High-risk pregnancy care
Penn Maternal Fetal Medicine Washington Square provides specialized services for women experiencing high-risk pregnancies. We have dedicated programs for diabetes and families with genetic conditions. Our Heart Safe Motherhood Program helps if you have high blood pressure after childbirth. We also manage pregnancies that are complex because an unborn baby has a medical condition.
Help for fragile newborns
Medically fragile newborns receive advanced care at our Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the largest in the region. Our NICU is one of two in the state to hold the Silver Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Our NICU doctors work with specialists from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to care for babies with special needs.
Emergency services
Pregnant women who become ill or need medical care can skip the emergency department and come directly to our Perinatal Evaluation and Treatment Unit. Our maternity experts, including high-risk pregnancy specialists, provide around-the-clock services. If needed, we quickly admit you to the hospital.
Childbirth and parenting education
We offer classes and programs to help you feel confident in your new parenting role. Programs include:
OB-GYN Practices that Deliver at Pennsylvania Hospital
Nine Penn practices, including the city’s only standalone nurse midwifery practices, provide obstetric care at Pennsylvania Hospital. These practices include:
Request an Appointment
To request an appointment, please call 800-789-7366 or complete our online form.