Whether you are a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, every newborn and postpartum experience is unique. Every new parent has questions and concerns about what comes next. You'll want expert advice on how to care for a new mom and baby after birth to keep everyone safe and healthy.
UPMC Magee-Womens' team of postpartum and newborn care specialists provides the care, education, and support you need. From the moment your baby arrives, we'll serve as your guide to postpartum and newborn care.
What Postpartum Care Services Do We Offer New Moms?
We provide comprehensive care to help you recover and navigate the first few weeks with your newborn.
Postpartum care for birthing parents includes these and other specialty services:
- Lactation and breastfeeding support — If you choose to breastfeed your newborn, our International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) assist breastfeeding parents who need support. They are available for in-person or virtual visits.
- Mental health support — Stress, anxiety, and postpartum depression affect many new parents. If you find yourself struggling with significant anxiety or feelings of sadness, our team can provide support and treatment.
- Pelvic floor therapy — Pregnancy and childbirth can weaken the pelvic floor muscles that hold up your vagina, uterus, bladder, and rectum. Providers specially trained in pelvic floor conditions can teach you how to strengthen those muscles.
- Postpartum hypertension — Preeclampsia and postpartum high blood pressure are dangerous and potentially life-threatening conditions that can develop during pregnancy or up to six months afterward. Experts in our postpartum hypertension program closely monitor and treat high-risk mothers.
What Newborn Care Services Do We Offer?
Our maternity and pediatric teams are here for your baby as soon as they enter the world.
We offer comprehensive newborn care services, including:
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)— Highly trained neonatal specialists care for premature newborns or those with special health needs. UPMC Magee has a level II special care nursery and a level III NICU to provide critically ill newborns with specialized, advanced neonatal medical treatment.
- Newborn screenings and tests — All newborns receive required tests to screen for certain health problems before leaving the hospital. These tests are important to ensure your baby gets the healthiest start possible.
- Newborn care information and education — We will help you understand what to expect during your baby's first few weeks and provide practical information about newborn care.
- Caring for the substance exposed newborn — We work as a team with birthing parents and families to treat babies with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). UPMC's eat, sleep, console (ESC) model of care allows babies and birth parents to stay together while in the hospital, keeping families actively involved in their baby's treatment.
- Keeping your baby healthy — Wellness checkups, vaccines, safe sleep practices, and proper feeding are all crucial for keeping your newborn healthy. Our pediatricians and other health care providers partner with you to give your baby a healthy start in life.
- Making your home safe — Home safety practices can prevent serious or life-threatening accidents and keep your newborn safe.
- Safe sleep practices — Safe sleep practices can save your baby's life. Learn what you should do to help your newborn sleep safe and sound.
- Circumcision — If you wish to have your son circumcised, our providers can perform this procedure in the hospital.
What Other Newborn Resources Do We Offer?
In addition to our renowned clinical care, UPMC Magee-Womens offers many resources to support your family and celebrate your newborn:
- Dan Berger Cord Blood Program — This Pittsburgh-based program allows parents to preserve their baby's umbilical blood for future health care needs or research.
- Education and support groups — Caring for a newborn is hard, but getting education and support from experts and other new parents makes it easier. Classes and support groups offer health education for parents and newborns and the opportunity to share tips and experiences with others.
