Your delivery day

Sleeping mother and newborn baby in a hospital bed

No two women experience labor and delivery in quite the same way, but the more you know about what to expect, the more you can focus on what really matters — the joy of meeting your new baby for the very first time. We want to help you prepare for your delivery day, eliminate any surprises, and help you have a safe and positive experience.

Call our delivery advice nurse at (408) 851-7315 (available 24 hours a day) before coming to the hospital in labor, or any time you think you need to be evaluated in the hospital.

Arrival

Park in any member parking lot. Short-term parking for drop-off of maternity patients is located near the emergency department entrance. These spaces are marked with a stork.

Go directly to Labor and Delivery. You can walk or use one of our stackable wheelchairs located at the hospital entrance.

Enter through the main hospital entrance.

Take the elevator to the third floor, turn right, and go down the hallway.

Enter the Labor and Delivery family waiting room, follow signs into Labor and Delivery, and turn left for the main desk. During the daytime, a volunteer will greet you in the waiting room.

Observation

When you arrive at the hospital, your labor pattern and baby will be monitored in a private labor observation room in the Labor and Delivery Department.

You are welcome to have one guest to support you here. When active labor is confirmed, you will be moved down the hall to your private labor room.

More information for friends and family >

Admission

Your childbirth preferences plan

Your health and the safety of your baby are always our top priorities. Creating a birth plan is a great way to let your care team know your wishes. It’s not a contract, and you can change your plan at any time. If you haven’t made your birth plan yet, make it now and share it with us at your next appointment.

Learn more about creating a birth plan >

Room amenities do we offer all of these?

Each room in our labor, delivery, and recovery unit includes:

  • a TV
  • free Wi-Fi
  • a pull-out bed for your labor support person
  • a rocking chair

Guests

When you’re in labor, you can have up to 3 guests with you in the room, including your partner or labor support person. Children under 12 are limited to your new baby’s siblings and must be accompanied by an adult whose only task is their care.

More information for friends and family >

Photography is this our policy as well?

You’re welcome to photograph this memorable occasion! Please keep the following in mind:

  • Handheld still photography is welcome.
  • Handheld videotaping is allowed after the baby is born.
  • Floor-mounted tripods are not permitted because they’re a tripping hazard.
Labor

When you have your baby at Kaiser Permanente, you may be surprised at how many people are there to support you — before, during, and after your delivery. We’ll all work together to help give you the happiest, healthiest birth day possible.

Learn more about labor and delivery >

Recovery & bonding

First few hours after delivery

Our labor, delivery, and recovery rooms are where you and your newborn will spend your first hours together. When your baby is born, your delivery team will come in to make sure he or she is thriving outside the womb. As long as you and your baby are doing well, you’ll stay together for the rest of your time in the hospital.

Little ones who need special care are observed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). A neonatologist — a pediatrician trained especially in newborn care — will come to your room and determine if your baby needs care in our NICU. If this happens, we’ll talk to you about why your baby needs extra care, and make sure you know where your baby will be and what to expect.

Family-centered postpartum unit

After your initial skin-to-skin time, you’ll be moved to our Family-Centered Postpartum Unit.

Learn more about what to expect during your stay >



Northern California members:
Visit Your Pregnancy to sign up for prenatal classes, get weekly emails, view and prepare for appointments, and more.

Learn about CenteringPregnancy®, a unique prenatal care program that includes group support with other new moms.