Family Birthplace: Labor & Delivery

St Mary's Hospital St. Louis

Your Miracle. Our Mission.

2024 Newsweek Maternity Award

Recognized as a Best Maternity Hospital by Newsweek for 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024 and designated a Baby-Friendly Hospital by Baby-Friendly USA, Inc., SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital – St. Louis is the regional hub for maternal services and high-risk obstetrics. It is also home to the Saint Louis University School of Medicine's Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health residency program and supported by leading neonatologists from SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.

SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - St. Louis, in partnership with SLUCare physicians is recognized for its standards for excellence in maternity care, including achieving low rates of C-section, episiotomy and early elective deliveries, and following crucial protocols to protect mothers and babies.

SSM Health supports many options for childbirth. We always keep your wishes and plans in mind first and will always work with your personal and family goals should the situation remain safe to do so.

To read about everything from conceiving to post-partum care, follow SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital and SLUCare physicians' Journey to Motherhood STL Facebook page.

Neonatal Care

SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - St. Louis is home to a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where our smallest patients get state-of-the-art care, when needed. A Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit offers newborns a higher level of care, including newborns with critical illnesses and those born as early as 28 weeks of age. To ensure your newborn receives the highest level of care, our NICU features:

  • A team of neonatologists, NICU nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners and respiratory therapists who are fully prepared to provide advanced, intensive care and support to newborns 24/7
  • Single-family rooms offer added privacy and feature soothing, nature-themed designs.
  • Neonatal nurses who specialize in caring for women with high-risk pregnancies.
  • Lactation specialists available seven days a week for breastfeeding support to help babies get off to a healthy start.
  • NicView™ cameras allow mothers and families the ability to access a 24-hour video stream of their baby by using their smartphone or tablet.
  • Our NICU provides moms and babies with everything they need to have a happy, healthy and successful birthing process.

Specialized Care & Offerings

  • An anesthesiologist dedicated to obstetrics is on-site at all times
  • For non-medicated births, we offer many low intervention techniques to make you as comfortable as possible throughout the birth experience. 
  • Our specialized team of lactation consultants assist in education, training, and support of new moms if you choose to receive training to breastfeed. 
  • Dedicated surgical suites on the same floor if a Cesarean section (C-section) or EXIT procedure is necessary
  • For mothers with a previous C-section, we can perform Vaginal Births After Cesarean section (VBACs) if you and your doctor determine it is appropriate and safe.
  • Continuous fetal monitoring
  • Regular and advanced Level II ultrasound
  • Amniocentesis
  • External cephalic version (a procedure to try and turn the baby if it’s in breech or "feet first" position)

We offer a welcome alternative to traditional hospital delivery. In our fresh, comfortable setting, we provide personal, one-on-one attention for Mother and Baby, which includes care and instruction from highly trained nurses and lactation specialists.

Family Birth Suites

  • Our spacious suites you will be in for labor, delivery and recovery can easily accommodate a recliner for a special visitor. They were also carefully designed to promote safety and to be able to accommodate all the high-tech equipment necessary to safely deliver your baby.
  • After your baby is born, you will continue care in a spa-like postpartum suite on our mother-baby unit. Each suite has a comfortable sleeper sofa for your spouse or loved one to spend the night as well as a flat screen TV, and private bathroom and shower.
  • We also offer room service dining for our patients. You may order meals or snacks anytime between 6:30 am and 6:30 pm daily.

From birthing classes to sibling classes and everything in between, SSM Health has you covered on things you need to know to prepare for baby. Fathers or another support person are encouraged to attend the classes too. Our classes help you feel prepared for your little one's arrival. Topics range from:

 View all of our pregnancy and childbirth classes available in the St. Louis region. 

  • Our Women's Evaluation Unit is a pre-admission area for pregnant woman and allows those in an emergency situation or have a sudden concern at any time during their pregnancy to bypass the traditional emergency room and receive an immediate ultrasound and care from our obstetric physicians.
    • A staff member is available via phone 24/7 to answer any questions that come up during your pregnancy journey.
    • Find the Women's Evaluation Unit by labor and delivery on the 5th floor.
  • The WISH Center (Women and Infant Substance Help) provides care for people who are affected by opioid dependency.
  • The Women's Wellness Center's mission is to improve maternal and infant health by providing compassionate maternity care regardless of insurance status to women in the St. Louis region. 

Virtual and guided tours* of our hospitals are available. These visits are a wonderful opportunity to learn about everything we offer moms and babies and ask any questions about labor and delivery and postpartum care. To sign up for a tour, call us toll-free at 866-SSM-DOCS (866-776-3627).

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Support for Moms with Baby Blues & More

Every mom needs exceptional care and support. This is especially true when you’re experiencing any form of that strange mix of sadness, anxiety or depression during your pregnancy, or in the weeks and months after you give birth.

Unfortunately, many people, even some doctors and close family members, may not understand what you’re going through. This can lead to additional feelings of isolation and overwhelm.

For this simple reason, the MOMS Line 314-768-MOMS at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital - St. Louis is available to you, and all St. Louis area expectant and postpartum moms. This peer-supported telephone line caters specifically to moms who are experiencing those complex feelings of depression and/or anxiety.

By providing you the caring and experienced voice on the other end of the phone, our goal is to help you heal. When you place a call, the MOMS Line will provide a listening ear and offer connection to an experienced volunteer and/or connect you with resources, including:

  • Peer coaches
  • Counselors
  • Referral to a behavioral health specialist near you
  • Doctors

Support for Moms, From Moms

Often times, the first step toward feeling better is to talk about your experience with someone who understands your struggle. With the MOMS Line, no topic is off limits or taboo. Our ears are open to hear about your concerns, from mood swings, anger and sadness, to your new normal. And rest assured, your conversations are always confidential.

Moms like you created this service so you don’t have to face these feelings alone. We believe you deserve a safe place to talk with people who really get it and will support your path to healing.

When the feelings of pregnancy and postpartum get you down, let the MOMS Line help you with support and connection on your journey to wellness.

To get started with the MOMS Line, call 314-768-6667.

The MOMS Support Group is a free peer support group for moms experiencing any form of the baby blues, anxiety and/or depression. The group is offered at three different time and location options for your convenience. Find a MOMS Support Group near you.

If you’re interested in being a support to other moms, SSM Health invites you to participate in our training for Postpartum Peer Coaches (PPCs).

The Postpartum Peer Coach undergoes a one-time training as well as quarterly training to provide you the tools and resources necessary to talk with other moms.

After training, you will have the opportunity to serve as a volunteer on the MOMS Line.

For more information about The MOMS Line, call 314-768-6667. If you’re interested in volunteering, visit our signup page.

Whether you’re experiencing baby blues, or looking to help moms feel better, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

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Answers to some of the biggest questions about your pregnancy journey.

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