Birthing Center

Birthing Center

The Birthing Center at South Peninsula Hospital offers a unique blend of home-like comfort and hospital-level safety for growing families in Homer and across the southern Kenai Peninsula. Patients labor and deliver in private labor–delivery–recovery suites designed for warmth, privacy, and family connection, while having immediate access to advanced medical care when needed.

Our care is grounded in a low-intervention, family-centered philosophy. Most patients receive prenatal, birth, and newborn care from the certified nurse midwives at Seaside Women’s Care, who specialize in supporting physiologic, low-intervention births, supported by the clinic’s board-certified OB/GYNs. During labor and delivery, OB/GYNs, pediatric providers, anesthesia, and respiratory therapy are available 24/7, so patients benefit from both a calm, homey environment and the reassurance of a full hospital team standing by.

The Birthing Center is closely integrated with Seaside Women’s Care, so patients typically see the same midwives and OB/GYNs throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. This continuity helps families build trusted relationships with their providers and feel supported at every step of the journey. Our team also works in close collaboration with pediatric providers at Homer Medical Center, ensuring a seamless transition from immediate newborn care to ongoing pediatric care.

Services

Labor & Delivery

The Birthing Center supports a wide range of birth options for low- and moderate-risk pregnancies. Patients labor and deliver in private suites with in-room showers, tubs for hydrotherapy and water-assisted labor, adjustable beds, birth stools, birthing balls, and comfort tools such as aromatherapy, dimmable lighting, music, and massage aids.

Our team supports a variety of labor and birth positions and offers nitrous oxide, epidurals, and intravenous pain control when appropriate. For patients who need or choose surgical delivery, the Birthing Center offers both scheduled and emergency cesarean sections in on-site operating rooms, with anesthesia and surgical teams available around the clock.

Midwifery

Certified nurse midwives from Seaside Women’s Care are the primary birth providers for most patients at the Birthing Center. They specialize in low-intervention, family-centered care and support physiologic birth whenever it is safe and appropriate. Midwives care for patients from early pregnancy through labor and delivery, and continue to provide postpartum support, newborn care, and lactation guidance.

Our midwives work in close collaboration with OB/GYNs throughout each pregnancy and consult with pediatric providers or respiratory therapists whenever additional expertise is needed, ensuring safe, seamless care.

Newborn Care

Newborns receive immediate, family-centered care right at the bedside. Standard practices include delayed cord clamping when safe, uninterrupted early skin-to-skin contact, and breastfeeding support. Midwives perform newborn exams and complete routine screenings—including metabolic testing, hearing screening, and critical congenital heart disease screening—while keeping babies with their parents whenever possible. Newborn vaccinations, such as vitamin K, erythromycin eye ointment, and hepatitis B, are offered based on family preference.

During the hospital stay, families receive lactation support from midwives who are specially trained in breastfeeding assistance. After discharge, midwives continue caring for babies in the clinic for the first 28 days of life, coordinating closely with pediatric providers at Homer Medical Center for ongoing care.

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)

Our board-certified OB/GYNs are available for higher-risk pregnancies, surgical births, and consultation whenever additional expertise is needed. They perform cesarean sections, manage twin pregnancies and other complex conditions, conduct external cephalic versions (ECV) to turn breech babies when appropriate, and provide procedural or surgical care when indicated.

While most patients receive their primary prenatal and labor support from midwives, OB/GYNs remain closely involved through ongoing case review and are on call to step in if complications arise.

Pediatrics

The Birthing Center is supported by a dedicated pediatric team. Midwives complete all routine newborn exams, screenings, and early feeding support, and pediatric providers are available for evaluation whenever a baby needs additional attention. The pediatric team also cares for infants requiring phototherapy for jaundice and is on call to assist with more complex concerns.

After discharge, newborns continue care with the midwives at Seaside Women’s Care for the first 28 days of life before transitioning to a local pediatric provider. This integrated approach ensures that families have consistent, expert support.

Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory therapists are available 24/7 to support newborns who need extra help with breathing after birth. They work alongside midwives, pediatric providers, and nurses to assess and stabilize babies, provide respiratory support, and help determine when higher-level care is needed. As a Level I nursery, the Birthing Center can care for many newborn concerns on site, and has established transfer processes to regional NICUs when more intensive support is required.

What to Expect as a Patient

Arriving at the Birthing Center

When it’s time to welcome your baby, you’ll come to the main hospital entrance at South Peninsula Hospital. If you have a scheduled procedure, such as an induction or cesarean birth, you’ll first check in at the front desk near the Emergency Department, and then be directed to the Birthing Center. If you are in active labor and have spoken with the Birthing Center team by phone, you may be instructed to come directly to Labor and Delivery.

Your Birth Suite

You’ll stay in a private labor–delivery–recovery suite throughout your birth experience. Each room includes a private bathroom and shower, a tub for comfort in labor, and space for a support person to stay with you on a sleeper sofa or recliner. You are welcome to bring your own snacks, drinks, pillows, and comfort items.

Labor Support

During labor, your care will typically be led by a certified nurse midwife and a dedicated labor-delivery nurse, with an OB/GYN, anesthesia provider, pediatric provider, and respiratory therapist on call. The team will talk with you about pain-management options, including position changes, hydrotherapy, nitrous oxide, intravenous medication, and epidural anesthesia. If complications arise, your care team will explain your options and involve you in decisions.

After Your Baby Arrives

After delivery, you’ll be encouraged to keep your baby skin-to-skin and room-in with you as much as possible. Newborn assessments and routine care usually take place right at the bedside. Nurses and midwives will support feeding, answer questions, and help you and your support person learn newborn care skills. If you need extra rest, the team can care for your baby in the nursery for short periods.

Going Home

Most families stay about 24 hours after birth, which allows time to complete newborn screenings, early feeding support, and postpartum monitoring. Some families may go home as early as four hours after delivery if both parent and baby are stable, while others may stay up to three days, especially after a cesarean birth or when additional support is needed. Before you leave, your team will review warning signs, follow-up plans, and how to get help if concerns arise.

Car Seat Check

A properly installed infant car seat is required before discharge, and our certified car seat technicians are available to help ensure your baby’s seat is fitted and installed safely before you head home.

FAQ

Do I have to be a Seaside Women’s Care patient to deliver at the Birthing Center?

Most patients receive their prenatal care with our midwives and OB/GYNs at Seaside Women’s Care and then deliver at the Birthing Center. We also care for patients who transfer from planned home births in emergencies or who are traveling through the area. If you are pregnant and planning to deliver in Homer, talk with Seaside Women’s Care about establishing prenatal care.

What kinds of births do you support?

The Birthing Center supports low- and moderate-risk vaginal births, including low-intervention births, water-assisted labor, VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) when appropriate, and births with pain medication or epidurals. The team also provides care for scheduled and emergency cesarean sections, and external cephalic versions (ECV). Higher-risk pregnancies may be co-managed with specialists in Anchorage, and some patients with very high-risk conditions may be advised to deliver at a higher-level facility.

Who will be on my care team?

Your primary birth providers will usually be a certified nurse midwife and a labor and delivery nurse. OB/GYNs are available for consultation and surgical care, respiratory therapists are on site for newborn support, anesthesia providers are on call for epidurals and surgeries, and pediatric providers are available if your baby needs additional medical evaluation. The team works closely together and communicates frequently throughout your labor and birth.

What pain-management options are available?

Pain-management options include movement and position changes, hydrotherapy in the tub or shower, birth stools and comfort tools, nitrous oxide, intravenous medication, and epidural anesthesia. Your team will talk with you about your preferences and help you choose options that fit your needs.

What should I bring with me?

We recommend bringing any personal comfort items such as pillows or clothing, and any favorite snacks or drinks. You’ll also need a properly installed infant car seat before discharge. The hospital provides postpartum supplies such as pads and disposable underwear, basic toiletries, and items like breast pumps and breastfeeding pillows for use during your stay.

Can I have a doula, family, or friends with me during labor and birth?

Yes. Doulas are welcome, and patients may have partners, family members, or other support people present, as long as they are respectful of quiet hours and the needs of other patients. Each room includes space for an overnight support person on a sleeper sofa or recliner.

Can I take photos or videos?

Families are welcome to take photos and videos of their own experience, as long as staff are not filmed while actively working and recording is paused during any emergencies. Your care team will guide you if there are times when recording is not appropriate, and are happy to help take family photos once everyone is stable.

What happens if my baby needs a higher level of care?

The Birthing Center operates a Level I nursery and can care for many common newborn concerns, including jaundice requiring phototherapy. If your baby needs a higher level of care, your team will arrange transport to a regional NICU and work to keep you informed and supported throughout the process.

How long will I stay after giving birth?

Stay length varies depending on your needs. Some families go home as early as four hours after a straightforward birth, though the team generally recommends staying at least 24 hours to complete newborn heart screening and additional monitoring. After a cesarean birth or if extra support is needed, you may stay up to three days, depending on your recovery, your baby’s health, and your insurance coverage.

Do you offer childbirth education classes?

Yes. Childbirth education classes are offered several times per year. These classes help parents and partners prepare for labor, birth, postpartum recovery, and newborn care. Your Seaside Women’s Care provider can tell you when the next session is scheduled.

Can I take a tour of the Birthing Center?

Absolutely. Prenatal tours are available by request and can be arranged through your Seaside Women’s Care provider. You’re also welcome to call the Birthing Center directly to schedule a visit.

What support is available for me postpartum?

After you leave the Birthing Center, you continue to receive support through Seaside Women’s Care. Our midwives provide postpartum follow-up visits, lactation support, and newborn check-ins. You’ll also have access to our integrated behavioral health team, who can help with postpartum mood changes, anxiety, depression, stress, or challenges adjusting to life with a new baby.