Procedures and Services

The GSH Family Birthing Center procedures and services include flexible birthing options, based on your labor and birth preferences, labor support, and a number of classes covering a variety of topics, from Comfort Strategies for Labor, Infant CPR, and Back to Work and Breastfeeding.

Flexible Birthing Options

Our 12 large, private labor and delivery rooms offer a welcoming environment for mothers and families, with beautiful views and comfortable amenities. Mother and baby stay together in the room after delivery for a relaxed experience.

Expectant mothers have access to a broad range of birth options and support services, midwives, natural childbirth and water births, as well as a variety of pain-relief options. The knowledgeable and experienced staff at GSH Family Birthing Center put expectant mothers at ease, since they know that expert medical help is readily available. The option of laboring in water, as well as water births, are offered in rooms with whirlpool tubs.

Every room includes:

• A bathroom with a private shower
• Versatile and comfortable birthing bed
• Flat screen TV with cable

The newborn TV channel helps new mothers learn to care for their babies.

Birthing Plans

A birth plan is a written outline describing patient labor and birth preferences. This plan, which should be discussed with your provider before coming to GSH Family Birthing Center, tells hospital staff and nurses your preferred pain management methods, labor type, and delivery. Your birth plan may be flexible and change during your labor depending on labor progress, your providers’ suggestions, and your choices.

The patient’s healthcare provider typically sends the prenatal information, along with her medical history and physical information, to GSH Family Birthing Center during the third or fourth month of pregnancy. Updated information is sent again closer to the birth. Birthing plans are recommended for mothers-to-be with special requests, such as preferring a water birth or wanting siblings present during labor.

Labor Support

GSH Family Birthing Center patients interested in working with a doula (a specially trained assistant who supports a mother during labor) must arrange for this support before the birth. It is the patients’ responsibility to establish a relationship with these individuals beforehand and contact the doulas when they are ready to deliver at the Center.

Certified Nurse Midwives

Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) at GSH Family Birthing Center are trained to perform low-risk vaginal deliveries for healthy pregnant women. Like a physician, they work with the women from the beginning of the pregnancy to birth and beyond. They prepare the birth plan with the mother and family and implement that birth plan through delivery and after, if possible.

Breastfeeding Support and Education: Lactation Specialists

GSH Family Birthing Center has two International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) specialists available part-time six days a week. They help new mothers learn how to breastfeed through classes, direct instruction in the birthing center, and manage doctor and nurse training.

Each Lactation Consultant has comprehensive training and extensive clinical experience in breastfeeding management and counseling. The IBCLC credential is the only internationally recognized accreditation for lactation consultants. Mandatory recertification every five years assures all IBCLCs keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date.

For the mothers’ convenience, the lactation program also provides breast pumps for rental from the Breast Lactation office at GSH Family Birthing Center.

Lactation Consultants are available for free consultation at their GSH Family Birthing Center offices after mother and baby have gone home. After that, they are available by appointment for a small fee.

Maternal Discharge Program

Before going home, each mother receives a “Mother & New Baby Care Guide,” an at-home reference for taking care of her baby and herself.

A nurse will review the information with the mother, including postpartum care, breastfeeding, self-care, and daily baby care.

Patients can also arrange for a home health care visit by an Intergrated Care Manager. During each home visit, the nurse reviews basic mother and baby care, provides additional information, and answers questions. Home health care visits are required for all new mothers under the age of 18.

Newborn Screening

Newborn screening is required by the state of Ohio. All newborns are screened for different health problems, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment.

Twenty-four hours after birth, a few drops of blood are taken from the baby’s heel. The blood sample is then sent to the newborn screening lab for testing. Results are sent to the baby's doctor.

Childbirth Education Classes

We offer a variety of classes to help mothers-to-be and their partners learn about labor and delivery, breastfeeding, baby care, and TFBC facilities. We recommend that expectant mothers start classes in their 6th or 7th month of pregnancy.

For a complete brochure, including location information and registration costs, please call CareFinders at 1-877-GSH-Well.

Bundle Discounts

As you await your bundle of joy, sign up for a bundle of classes and save!

• Bundle #1: A Prepared Childbirth class or Birth Day Essentials class plus the Infant Care class - $75
• Bundle #2: AA Prepared Childbirth class or Birth Day Essentials class, Successful Breastfeeding class, plus the Infant Care class - $95
• Bundle #3: A Prepared Childbirth class or Birth Day Essentials class, and three other classes of your choice - $115
• Bundle #4: Successful Breastfeeding class and Back to Work and Breastfeeding class - $45

A discount on Childbirth classes will be given to GSH employees and/or their spouses, as well as any Premier Health Partners employee.

Prepared Childbirth

This traditional birth preparation class helps women and their partners learn what to expect during labor and birth and provides a tour of TFBC. With four weekly classes, attendees will learn about the following topics:

• Adjusting to life as a new family
• Caesarean birth
• Comfort techniques and breathing methods
• Use of medication and anesthesia

Comfort Strategies for Labor

This single-session class focuses on relaxation and labor coping techniques. First-time parents may take the class along with Prepared Childbirth, and parents who have already given birth may take it with the Birthing Day Blitz class. Comfort Strategies explores:

• Breathing techniques
• Guided imagery
• Meditation
• Positioning
• Touch/massage
• Water for labor and birth

Birthing Day Blitz

This fast-paced session offers parents-to-be an overview of what to expect during labor and birth, along with a tour of TFBC. Topics covered include:

• Breathing techniques
• Comfort and coping strategies
• Positions for labor and birth
• Signs of labor

Refresher Childbirth

This session reviews relaxation and breathing techniques for expectant mothers and are geared toward couples who have previously given birth to fine-tune their birth plans.

Infant Care

This session covers the basics of newborn care, including:

• Bathing
• Diapering
• Dressing your newborn
• Emergency care procedures
• Feeding
• Nail and cord care
• Safety/prevention for home and travel
• Skin care
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Infant CPR

Participants learn CPR for newborns and infants up to one year old. The basics for helping a choking baby are also taught during this session. Class size is limited, so early registration is recommended.

A Successful Start to Breastfeeding

Basics of breastfeeding—such as positioning, latching on, nipple care, and breast milk supply—are covered in this class, which is taught by an IBCLC (breastfeeding specialist). Partners and family are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Back to Work and Breastfeeding

Going back to work or school? Babies are welcome in this class, which is taught by an IBCLC with advice on:

• Breast milk storage
• Choosing and using breast milk
• Communication with employers and babysitters
• Infant nursing schedule

Children at Delivery

This class for children ages 7 and up who will attend the birth of their sibling tells them what to expect during the labor and birth. Parents, children, and a support person for the child should attend. Reviewing the birth plan with your midwife or physician beforehand is recommended.

TFBC Tour

This twice-monthly tour is for adults making decisions about their birth plan. Registration is required.  To register for a tour, CareFinders 1-877-GSH-Well or register online!

Family Tour

This tour is for families with children to tour the Birthing Center.