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At the University of California, San Diego Medical Center, families now have the option of delivering at The Birth Center, which offers a safe, spacious and comfortable alternative to the traditional hospital maternity environment. 

The Birth Center environment supports the personal experience desired by many women when bringing their babies into the world. It provides family-centered maternity care in a comfortable, home-like setting, including four spacious birthing suites (furnished with double and queen sized beds, rocking chairs and homey antiques). However, because The Birth Center is located at the UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest, patients are just minutes away from the latest technology and state-of-the-art obstetrical/neonatal units if needed.

Women delivering at the Birth Center can also take advantage of our volunteer doula program, which provides continuous one-on-one support throughout labor, delivery and the postpartum period.

Specialists in Labor Support

Every woman in labor faces the challenge of how she will cope with the normal process of labor and birthing. At the UCSD Birth Center, women have a variety of choices to help them. First and foremost, all staff members at the UCSD Birth Center are specialists in labor support techniques that can help women give birth with little or no pain medication. These techniques include:

• Walking during labor
• Hydrotherapy (shower or tub)
• Birth stools
• Birth balls
• Breathing techniques
• Massage
• Music