Maternity Services at Saratoga Hospital
At Saratoga Hospital, compassionate, expert care for growing families is the core of our mission. Our physicians and midwives from Saratoga OB/GYN and Midwifery work seamlessly with hospital staff to provide personalized care, whether routine or high-risk. We are also proud to be training the next generation of doctors, with residents in our Family Medicine Residency Program as part of our team. For more information and to schedule an outpatient appointment at Saratoga OB/GYN and Midwifery, call 518-587-2400. For questions about delivery or to schedule a tour of the hospital, call 518-583-8331.
Services & Amenities
- Comfortable, private birthing suites, with overnight accommodations for a support person
- State-of-the-art surgical suites for Cesarean (C-section) births
- Patient-centered, C-section deliveries, including clear drapes that allow moms to see their baby's first movements
- A variety of pain management options
- Mother and baby care that supports rooming-in, encouraging mother and baby to stay together and bond
- Breastfeeding assistance from nurse lactation counselors and a board-certified lactation consultant
- Breastfeeding support group
- Follow-up care and other services to help keep your family healthy
- Up to two support people, which includes a doula, are allowed during labor. No additional visitors during labor.
- Postpartum visitation: Open visitation 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. No visitors under the age of 18 years old, unless it is a sibling of the newborn.
- More information is included in the FAQ dropdown below.
Patients can receive the best of both worlds in a safe and supportive environment. Our collaborative physician-midwife model of care has proved to be the best approach for mothers and newborns. It also helps ensure that, as much as possible, families have the experience they want during childbirth.
Our certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are registered nurses who have earned a graduate degree in midwifery or midwifery education, plus certification from the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Midwifery focuses on the understanding that pregnancy and delivery are natural processes, and that through patient education and patient-centered care, optimal health outcomes can be achieved.
For prenatal and postpartum care, you choose the physician or nurse midwife you're most comfortable with. If you have a routine labor and vaginal delivery, most likely a midwife will deliver your baby. OB/GYN physicians are always available and can handle higher risk births.
We offer many courses to ensure a rewarding birth experience and a smoother transition into parenthood, including:
Breastfeeding Basics
We discuss techniques and positions, benefits for both mom and baby, what to expect in the early days, and how your baby's feeding needs may change over time.
Breastfeeding Support Group
Connect with other breastfeeding mothers. We will celebrate our successes, share our struggles, and offer guidance and support. Expectant mothers are encouraged to attend, and the group is open to all mothers regardless of delivery location.
Childbirth Preparation Series—2 Classes
This series is designed to educate expectant parents on their options during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. We discuss having a healthy pregnancy, the work of labor and birth, coping with labor, options for medications and other interventions, being an active participant in your care, the role of the birth partner, and the first 48 hours after birth.
Childbirth Preparation—One Day Course
This weekend course offers expectant parents the opportunity to enroll in a one-day program to learn about their options during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. We discuss having a healthy pregnancy, the work of labor and birth, coping with labor, options for medications and other interventions, being an active participant in your care, the role of the birth partner, and the first 48 hours after birth.
Infant Care Class—1 Class
Expectant and adoptive parents are invited to join us and learn about a variety of care topics, including newborn characteristics and behaviors, hospital routines, daily care and bathing, diapering, swaddling, feeding issues, crying, and colic. we will also discuss health and safety information, including SIDS risk factors, and car seat safety training will be provided.
Prenatal Yoga—4 Classes
In four 60-minute classes, instructors will guide you through postures which may decrease common pregnancy discomforts, such as back pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel, swelling, anxiety, and fatigue, in addition to stretching and toning muscles used during labor and delivery. Instructors will focus on meditation, breathing, relaxation, and visualization in preparation for childbirth.
Visit the Events Calendar for more information.
We are committed to caring for you even after you leave with your baby. Contact us if you need assistance or get in touch with one of these resources:
Crisis Text Line
Text "Got5" to 741741
Emotional Support Helpline
1-844-863-9314 (8 a.m. - 10 p.m.)
NY Statewide Helpline
1-855-631-0001 or 1-631-422-2255
Saratoga Hospital Emergency Department
518-583-8313
Saratoga Community Health Center
518-886-5600
Parental Stress Hotline
1-800-632-8188
SAMHSA
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
1-800-662-4347
Where are the offices located? Where is the hospital?
- Wilton Office: 3044 Rt. 50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Malta Office: 2105 Ellsworth Blvd., Malta, NY 12020
- Saratoga Hospital: 211 Church Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
What kind of providers will I see during my pregnancy and when I’m in labor?
- During prenatal visits, you will see a combination of OB/GYN physicians, Certified Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners who specialize in women’s health. Some of these OB/GYNs and midwives also work in the hospital to manage labor and birth, but not every provider practices in both locations. Similarly at the hospital, there are providers who you might meet that do not work in the office. Family Medicine Resident Physicians join our team during two years of their education, rotating through both the office and the hospital. They have both obstetrics and newborn medicine rotations, so you may see them working alongside multiple providers.
- Your labor and birth will be managed by one of our midwives unless complications arise that necessitate physician involvement. Midwives always remain on the unit and have continuous OB/GYN back up. If it is determined that a cesarean delivery is indicated, the covering midwife will typically assist the on-call physician.
- If you are planning a cesarean delivery, this will be scheduled within your 39th week of pregnancy unless an earlier delivery is medically necessary. The OB/GYN who is assigned to cover labor and delivery on the date of your surgery will perform the case, assisted by one of the midwives. Our current practice volume and scheduling constraints prohibit patients from routinely choosing their preferred surgeon. We understand this may be disappointing, however all our physicians will provide exceptional care for you and your family.
What number do I call if I think I’m in labor?
- Call the office number (518-587-2400) at any time of day. If it is after hours, the answering service will take your message to relay to the on-call provider who will return your call as soon as possible. If you have not received a call back within approximately 30 minutes, please call again.
What number do I call if I need to confirm my induction is still happening as planned?
- If you were instructed to do so, call labor and delivery (518-583-8331) before you leave home.
When will I know the time of my scheduled c-section?
- Nursing staff from the hospital will call you the day before your scheduled c-section to go over timing and other instructions. This call is usually after 2pm.
Where do I go when I arrive at the hospital?
- During the daytime hours you may enter through either the emergency department or the hospital’s main entrance. If the main entrance is closed, you will need to enter through the emergency department.
- Main entrance hours: (the doors may lock a few minutes early, so if you’re close to the cutoff it’s safer to go through the ED)
- Monday-Friday: 7am – 8pm
- Saturday: 7am – 6pm
- Sunday: 10am – 6pm
- Parking is available next to both entrances
- Whenever possible, please stop at registration first before coming to the unit.
- Main entrance hours: (the doors may lock a few minutes early, so if you’re close to the cutoff it’s safer to go through the ED)
How many people can be with me in labor? What about after the baby is born?
- Two guests are welcome to support you during your induction/labor. These must be the same 2 people during the entire course of labor, you cannot switch out or rotate supports. If you have a doula, they count towards one of your 2 supports (not 2 supports + doula). If you have a c-section, only one support person may be with you in the OR.
- After delivery, you may have as many visitors as you’d like during visiting hours (11am – 7pm). All visitors must be at least 18 years old unless they are a sibling of the newborn. A word of caution – having too many visitors can make resting after birth very challenging. Encourage friends and family members to visit once you’re home and have had more time to recover.
What supplies does the hospital provide?
- The hospital has everything except what you need for the ride home! We provide essential supplies for each phase of your care such as:
- Labor – exercise and peanut balls, birthing stools, floor mat for stretching, squat bars, aromatherapy tabs, tools to cope with labor pain
- Postpartum – pads and perineal care items, pain medications, breast pumps and milk storage
- Baby – diapers/wipes, swaddles, onesies
- You are welcome to bring other items that will make your stay more comfortable. Some common suggestions include:
- Phone chargers
- Bluetooth speaker
- Nightlight
- Noise machine
- Soft pillows and blankets
- Nursing pillow
- Bathrobe, slippers
- Games for long inductions
Does the hospital provide meals? Do I have to eat them?
- You and one support person will receive 3 meals a day. Food and nutrition services will do their best to take your order for these meals, but sometimes a generic tray will be delivered. There are also a limited number of snacks available on the unit.
- If you prefer to bring your own food or order outside meals, that is acceptable. There is a small amount of refrigerator space for labeled patient items.
- Note: Most moms can eat and drink freely in labor. You may be restricted to clear liquids at times, so please check with your nurse before eating foods brought from home.
What kind of fetal monitoring will happen in labor?
- Every patient will have at least 20 minutes of continuous fetal monitoring upon arrival at the hospital. If this is reassuring and you meet criteria for intermittent monitoring, your nurse will periodically listen to the baby’s heartbeat throughout labor. If you do not qualify for intermittent auscultation, you will have continuous fetal monitoring in labor through delivery. If this is the case, we do have wireless monitors that allow for ambulation and hydrotherapy if desired.
What pain management options do I have in labor?
- Non-pharmacological methods such as: hydrotherapy (shower and tub), aromatherapy, acupressure tools, sterile water injections, etc.
- IV pain medication (i.e. Morphine, Stadol, Nubain)
- Epidural anesthesia
Can I VBAC at Saratoga Hospital?
- Unfortunately, at this time we cannot plan a trial of labor after cesarean delivery at Saratoga Hospital. If that is something you are interested in, we will coordinate a consultation and transfer of care prior to delivery.
Can we make a video recording of the birth?
- Photography/recording are permitted prior to delivery and after delivery but not during the actual delivery itself. Recording in the Operating Room is prohibited, however photography which does not include the operative field is allowed. Equipment must be cord free to prevent potential safety hazards. Additionally, the use of equipment such as a tripod, light sources etc. are prohibited.
Can I give birth in the tub? Can I have a Lotus birth?
- Due to increased risks associated with these practices, they are not supported at Saratoga Hospital.
Can I take my placenta home?
- If there is no medical reason to examine your placenta, you may take it home. It must be removed from your hospital room within 2 hours, so make sure you have a plan for this. Please inform your care team so they can complete the necessary paperwork.
Who will care for our baby while we are in the hospital?
- Our neonatology team evaluates all infants within 24 hours of delivery. If certain risk factors are identified during pregnancy or labor, they may be present for your baby’s birth. After delivery they manage a variety of newborn medical conditions (e.g. jaundice, infection, feeding difficulties, neonatal withdrawal) as well as complications arising from late pre-term birth or a delivering parent’s medical history.
Does the hospital have a NICU? Is there a nursery where babies stay?
- There is no NICU at Saratoga Hospital. Our staff are fully trained to care for and stabilize any infant that needs support after delivery. There is a nursery for those who need care beyond what can be provided in the labor and delivery room, however if a higher level of care is needed beyond initial stabilization, infants will be transferred to a higher-level facility.
- At Saratoga Hospital we practice rooming in, which means that babies only go to the nursery for necessary testing and procedures. Examples of this include the newborn hearing screen or circumcision. Otherwise, your baby will stay with you in your room!
Does the hospital have breastfeeding support?
- Yes! Saratoga Hospital employs a full time board certified lactation consultant dedicated to caring for patients during their stay, and as needed for outpatient consults. All of the nursing staff have also been trained in lactation support, and there are many Certified Lactation Counselors on staff.
Is there a way to have newborn photos taken at the hospital?
- Yes! Bella Baby Photography visits with families after delivery to offer newborn photos
How long will we stay in the hospital after the baby is born?
- After you deliver you will normally stay in the hospital for 1-3 days depending on how you deliver (vaginally or by cesarean) and if any complications arise. Typical discharge is on postpartum day 2, with some families requesting earlier discharge. You must stay for a minimum of 24 hours after birth as infants need screening tests at that time. Babies born to patients who test positive for GBS are not usually eligible for early discharge. Discharges at night are not recommended. Note: there are many providers and staff members who will care for you during your postpartum stay (nurses, providers, lactation consultants, lab techs, physical therapists, newborn photographers, food and nutrition team members, etc.). We try our best to minimize interruptions, but daytimes can be busy. Try to prioritize napping when you can!
When will we be seen again after we go home?
- If we are monitoring your blood pressure more closely due to a diagnosis of hypertension, we will have you come back to the office for a blood pressure check appointment approximately 2-3 days after discharge. Otherwise, your routine postpartum appointments will be scheduled for about 2 weeks and 8 weeks after delivery. This is a time to discuss physical recovery, breastfeeding progress, mental health, and birth control. Newborn follow up is usually 1-3 days after discharge, at your pediatrician’s office. It is best to make this appointment the day you are discharged.
