Your Birth Experience at Vanderbilt University Hospital
There’s freedom in the care you receive.
We know that few experiences in life are more important than the way you give birth. And that’s why we are committed to your safety and comfort during this special time.
Our labor and delivery team provides evidence-based high-quality care for women and their families in a supportive, welcoming space. Patients will tell you that there’s freedom in the care that you receive here.
Whether you want an unmedicated experience or need specialized care for a condition that puts you or baby at higher risk, we work with you to personalize your birth experience.
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Vanderbilt University Hospital Labor and Delivery Tour
A Full Spectrum of Birthing Options
- Midwifery-led model of care
- No-intervention unmedicated birth
- Low-intervention unmedicated birth
- Labor in water (subject to room availability)
- Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)
- Family centered C-sections, allowing mom and baby to experience "golden hour" while mom's doctors take care of her after delivery
- Remote fetal monitoring, allowing for freedom of movement during labor
- Bring your own certified doula or take advantage of free volunteer doula support
- Pain management options, including specialized obstetric anesthesiologists onsite 24/7
- Choose to bring birthing tools such as peanut balls, birth stools, etc. to help you ease labor pains, be more comfortable, and feel empowered
Other Services
- Valet parking
- Lactation support including equipment for rent or discount purchase
- Prenatal telehealth services for eligible patients
- Inpatient and telephone breastfeeding support from board-certified lactation consultants
- Optional in-person and virtual childbirth and breastfeeding classes
- Breastfeeding support group
- Tele-lactation classes available for a small fee
Why Choose to Deliver at Vanderbilt
- Personalized care
Our experienced team of on-call OBGYNs, midwives, residents and obstetric anesthesiologists works with you to honor your birth plan, whether you’re seeking a traditional birth, a midwife-attended low-intervention birth, or you need specialized care. If you need specialized care, we have maternal fetal medicine (MFM) doctors onsite to support you 24/7.
- Specialized expertise
When you’re pregnant, the most carefully made plans may change. By choosing Vanderbilt, you can be sure you have everything and everyone you need, whatever happens. If you or your baby needs a specialist, our colleagues are at the ready. If your baby needs special care before or after birth, we have the most advanced Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and our Fetal Center at Vanderbilt.
- Midwifery-led model of care
Our midwives are a central component of delivering at Vanderbilt. This places the pregnant woman as an active partner in her care and recognizes her as the primary decision-maker of her delivery.
- Convenient services
Our lactation consultants are available 24/7. This means we will be able to support you when you need it.
- Pharmacy services
Our pharmacists will deliver any prescription you may need to your room prior to discharge. This allows you to receive your medications and ask any question without making an extra stop.
Location
When you arrive on our main campus, go to the Labor and Delivery entrance, indicated by purple signs, in front of Medical Center East, North Tower. Purple signs will lead you to the triage area of Labor and Delivery where our team will meet you.
Vanderbilt University Hospital Labor and Delivery entrance is also available on phone map applications for ease of way finding.
Download map and instructions.