Joyful Beginnings Childbirth Center

Since we opened our doors in 1898, the dedicated caregivers at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City have brought hundreds of thousands of babies into the world. But we celebrate every single birth like it’s the first.

Joyful Beginnings Childbirth Center is located on the second floor and once you arrive we’ll get you directly to a labor and delivery nurse. Your nurse will assess your condition, call your physician and take care of any paperwork for you. If you’re still in the early stages of labor, we may admit you to our outpatient monitoring area, where our staff can monitor your progress and keep your physician updated.

Why pick SSM Health for your birthing experience?

You’re expecting a baby! As you embark on your pregnancy journey, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital- Oklahoma City is committed to helping you have the best pregnancy and delivery possible.

We're a family-centered, baby friendly environment.

We love to welcome dads and siblings into your room during labor and delivery. And when your newborn arrives, we’ll bathe, weigh and measure your baby right in your room. We keep a comfortable, rollaway bed in every room, so dad can stay all night. If your new baby needs an extra few days in the hospital, you can “room in” at no charge (if we have rooms available).

It's your birth-plan, we're here to support it.

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.

We're designated a Baby-Friendly hospital.

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City has been recognized with the prestigious international recognition as a designated Baby-Friendly Hospital, from Baby-Friendly USA, Inc.

Baby-Friendly USA, Inc. is the U.S. authority for the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this prestigious international award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

Did you know? To be recognized as a designated Baby-Friendly Hospital, the facility must undergo a rigorous on-site survey. The results are then reviewed at UNICEF Headquarters to determine if the facility meets the global Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative standards.

We've made infant safe sleep a top priority.

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City is recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a Bronze Safe Sleep Hospital for our commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. We follow the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and provide training programs for parents, staff and the community.

The hospital offers safe sleep training during perinatal classes for childbirth, baby care and breastfeeding, as well as prior to hospital discharge following the birth of a baby. Our training will help you rest easier knowing that you’re educated in the best practices of infant sleep.

Our birthing suites are designed with comfort in mind.

Both Joyful Beginnings patients and your guests will have full access to our concierge staff. You’ll also enjoy other amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi and room service.

If you need it, we have a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Our NICU has the capacity to care for 15 neonatal patients and is a locked unit equipped with state-of-the-art infant security features. Staffed by neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners and specialized neonatal registered nurses, the Level II NICU provides a nurturing environment, allowing the babies to eat, sleep and grow safely and comfortably.

Understanding the essential role parents play in the development of their newborn, the new unit features a family-centered care environment.

• Within the NICU’s spacious rooms, ample accommodations are provided for parents in support of overnight stays.
• Families are encouraged to be fully involved in the care of their newborn.

We offer breastfeeding education and support for new mothers.

We support your decision to breastfeed your baby and offer our assistance to help set your family up for success. Inpatient and outpatient lactation education and consulting is available, which means you can have an expert by your side before you deliver, while you’re in the hospital or even months after your baby is here.

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City uniquely offers outpatient lactation services where mothers can schedule an appointment to consult with one of our International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants, all of whom are registered nurses. All are welcome, even if you do not have an SSM Health doctor or did not deliver at one of our facilities.

Most major insurance is accepted; be sure to check with your insurance to see if a referral is required. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 405-272-6207.

Helpful educational material is also available through the Oklahoma Breastfeeding Resource Center.

Does SSM Health offer childbirth or breastfeeding classes?

Through a partnership with Birthly, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital offers its patients access to a variety of virtual perinatal education classes at a 40 percent discount. Classes offered include:

• Early Pregnancy Preparations
• Prenatal Education Bootcamp (English and Spanish)
• Coping and Comfort
• Breastfeeding 101(English and Spanish)
• Newborn Care (English and Spanish)

All classes are virtual and live, so patients can learn from and interact with certified and experienced childbirth educators on their own schedules. To register, please visit mybirthly.com/ssmhealth-st-anthony.