​Family Birthing Center

The birth of your child is a special moment. At UPMC Northwest, we strive to provide the best care possible to you and your baby while creating a unique and memorable experience.

Our intimate setting enables our staff to provide specialized care for you and your newborn. Because we're backed by the resources of UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, our nurses have advanced training in maternal and newborn care.

Our Services

• Three labor, delivery, and recovery rooms
• 10-bed postpartum unit
• 12-bed newborn nursery
• Three-bed Level II nursery
• Surgical suite for cesarean sections
• Epidural availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Onsite pediatric hospitalists
• Certified breastfeeding counselors
• Car seat installation

Download our birth plan brochure (PDF).

Visitation

Visiting hours at the Family Birthing Center are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the exception of quiet time. The baby’s siblings are allowed to visit at any time. A support person (the baby’s father or other designee) may also visit at any time and spend the night with you in your room.

Visitors to labor and delivery are dependent on your labor progression.

Quiet Time

The center has designated 1 to 2 p.m. as quiet time for our mothers and babies. No visitors are permitted on the unit during this time.

Infant Photographs

If you would like newborn photos, your baby may be photographed in the studio located on the unit. Photos may be purchased through the photographer. Please talk to your nurse for more information.

Maternal-Fetal Medicine Inpatient Telemedicine Services

Using secure teleconferencing technology, women with high-risk pregnancies may consult with maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC while they are patients at UPMC Northwest. The inpatient MFM telemedicine program expands on the outpatient MFM program offered through the UPMC Northwest Teleconsult Center.

Learn more about maternal-fetal medicine telemedicine services.

Our Experts

The following providers deliver babies at UPMC Northwest and have office locations in Franklin and Clarion.

• Linda Barnhart, DO
• Kelsey Dressen, MD
• Eric Fackler, MD
• Charity Hansford, CNM, MSN
• Bart Matson, DO
• William McGrail, MD
• Michelle Wright, DO

Classes

UPMC Northwest offers the following classes to prepare you and your family for the birth of your child:

• Infant care class
• Prepared childbirth class
• Childbirth refresher class (for second and third pregnancies and beyond)
• Sibling class (for children ages 3 to 9)
• Breastfeeding class
• Breastfeeding support class

Tours of the unit are also available at any time. For more information, or to register for a class, visit Classes.UPMC.com or call 814-676-7845.

UPMC Northwest Family Birthing Center offers anytime, anywhere parent education powered by YoMingo®, an education program designed to give you convenient access to valuable information. It includes the tools and support you need at every stage.

Virtual Class Option

YoMingo gives you access to:

• Evidence-based information on prenatal care, labor & birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, and newborn care including lots of videos
• List of available classes and support groups
• Kick counter, contraction timer, personal journal, feeding log, immunization log, and other tools.

This education powered by YoMingo is available on any device with an internet connection, or as a mobile app called myYoMingo.

Register for the program and follow the instructions. Once you have registered, you will receive an email invitation where you can create a unique password and login.

Already registered? Login here.

Creating a Safe Sleep Environment

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among infants between one month and one year of age. However, there are steps you can take to help your baby sleep safely and reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS.To create a safe sleep environment:

• Always place a baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night, to reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Use a firm sleep surface, covered by a fitted sheet.
• Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch or on a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else.
• Keep your baby’s sleep area in the same room where you sleep (room sharing, not bed sharing). Always place the baby in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, portable crib for sleep.
• Sitting devices like bouncy seats, swings, infant carriers, or strollers should not be used for routine sleep.
• Keep soft objects such as pillows and blankets, toys and bumpers out of your baby’s sleep area.
• Wedges and positioners should not be used.
• Do not smoke during pregnancy or allow smoking around your baby.
• Do not let your baby get too hot during sleep.
• Breastfeed your baby.
• Give your baby a dry pacifier that is not attached to a string for naps and at night to reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Follow health care provider guidance on your baby’s vaccines and regular heath checkups.

Learn additional information and education on safe sleep for babies.