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Maternity Services at UPMC Altoona

Parents-to-be can experience anxiety as they await their baby’s arrival. Unfamiliar faces and surroundings can contribute to your nervousness. That's why we want to help you get to know our facility and staff.

Before Your Stay

You should have your bag or suitcase for the hospital packed ahead of time.

Items mom might want to bring:

  • Robe
  • Pjs
  • Slippers
  • Toiletries
  • Nursing bras (or other good support bra)
  • Reading materials
  • Comfortable clothing for the ride home

Items to bring for the baby:

  • Large blanket
  • Comfortable clothing
  • Receiving blanket
  • Sweater
  • Socks or booties
  • T-shirt
  • Hat
  • Car seat

Your family and support system are welcome to remain in our waiting area while you give birth.

A Personal Maternity Experience

Our maternity suites accommodate labor, birth and recovery - all in one room. The LDRP rooms make the experience as comfortable as possible.

The homely atmosphere encourages skin-to-skin contact and on-demand breastfeeding for mom and baby. This helps boost mom's confidence in caring for her baby. Fathers are welcome to stay in the rooms to assist with the infant's care.

In the operating room

UPMC Altoona can provide advanced care to babies who experience difficulties after birth. Scheduled and emergency C- sections (surgical deliveries) take place in the two operating rooms located on the unit. Being prepared for the unexpected is a hallmark of UPMC Altoona.

While you're here

At UPMC Altoona, our trained staff helps deliver the quality care you expect and deserve. Our maternity nurses are among the most caring and knowledgeable.

It is important for the mother and baby to bond. Immediately after birth, we encourage mothers to have skin-to-skin contact with their baby. This raises the chances of successful breast feeding.

Maternity asks that you limit the total number of visitors in a patient's room to three at any time. Please keep visits to an appropriate length. Persons under the age of 12 who are not siblings of the newborn are not permitted in the Maternity ward.

Visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for grandparents and siblings of the newborn, and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. for all others. Fathers can always be present.

Security

Mom, baby, and mom's support person are all given I.D. bands after delivery. The bands need to be on during your hospital stay. We use the I.D. bands to identify your baby. A nurse will check and remove your band before discharge.

We place an extra security tag on both moms and babies. This always tracks your baby’s location during your stay.

Support

We support family bonding and encourage our parents to keep their babies with them 24/7. This allows time to breastfeed or formula-feed, and for the support person to assist in caring. This helps with preparing to go home. Our staff will allow infants to return to the nursery, so mothers can rest.

We have two certified lactation consultants. They offer breastfeeding classes and host a nursing mothers' support group.

Pastors make daily rounds on the Maternity unit and are available 24/7. They provide spiritual and emotional support to our patients and their families.

If reading about our exceptional facility and staff hasn't convinced you to have your baby at UPMC Altoona, please come see for yourself.

UPMC Altoona has been recognized as a High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) by U.S. News & World Report.

Learn more about our U.S. News rankings.