General OB Services

Having a baby is one of life’s most momentous experiences. Our multidisciplinary team of OB professionals understands this very special time in a woman’s life. We provide a comprehensive range of prenatal services, including childbirth education programs, to help women prepare for a safe pregnancy and birth. When it’s time for baby to arrive, we offer a range of birthing options, allowing women to create a birth plan to meet their physical, emotional and family needs.

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Personal Attention

Our obstetricians take the time to get to know each mother-to-be as a person, following each patient closely throughout her pregnancy and childbirth. And since our obstetrical team is part of a university-based medical center, patients have access to some of the best and most comprehensive OB services anywhere, including:

• Birthing suites. Our birthing suites are designed with the comfort and privacy of our patients and their families in mind. This is a cozy and quiet place where you, your birthing partner and your care team can interact throughout your labor and birth. Our obstetricians, pediatricians and anesthesiologists are all on site 24 hours a day for the convenience and safety of patients.
• Specially trained OB nurses. Highly skilled and experienced, our OB nurses think of themselves as facilitators who are privileged participants in a woman’s birth experience. As an important part of the birth team, they encourage, support and help patients, using their significant expertise to ensure a safe birth. UC Irvine Medical Center is one of a small group of hospitals nationwide to be awarded the Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence---the “gold standard” of nursing care.
• Obstetrical anesthesia. If a woman chooses to have a regional block (epidural or combined spinal/epidural) or IV medications to manage labor discomfort, highly trained anesthesiologists specializing in obstetrical care administer and monitor these medications.
• Lactation specialists. For women who breastfeed, our nurses and lactation consultants are available for individual assistance. If patients have difficulties at home, a UC Irvine Medical Center lactation consultant is available to provide advice and guidance over the phone or in person at the hospital.

Special care

While most women experience relatively healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries, there are times when a mother or baby needs extra help. The following services are available for high-risk women and infants.

• High-risk pregnancy care. Our high-risk pregnancy program provides the services of perinatologists (specialists in high-risk pregnancy) and neonatologists (experts in the care of high-risk newborns).
• Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). For babies born prematurely or with medical complications, our NICU provides state-of-the-art treatment, a team of physician specialists called neonatologists, and a staff who is both highly skilled and deeply compassionate toward the needs of sick newborns. Our NICU is one of only two neonatal intensive care nurseries in Orange County accredited to care for the smallest and sickest newborns.
• Access to board-certified physicians in a variety of related subspecialties. If a newborn needs highly specialized care, UC Irvine Medical Center is home to experts in more than 55 pediatric subspecialties.

Childbirth education

UC Irvine Medical Center childbirth education program prepares women, their partners and families for the arrival of their baby by discussing the physical and emotional aspects of birth. This in-depth series also helps participants make decisions about anesthesia, medications and other issues so women and families can prepare a personal birth plan in advance.

We also offer classes on breastfeeding, newborn care and a program to help young children adjust to their new role as big brother or sister.

Our class offerings include »

• Maternity tea and tour     
• Early pregnancy    
• Prepared childbirth classes
• Breastfeeding        
• Meditation for health
• Lactation consultant services
• Newborn care  
• Parenting - A course is offered through Cuidar for Attention and Learning for parents of children ages 3 - 5 with attention and behavior problems. More »
• Sibling classes