Labor & Delivery

Norman Regional takes a family-centered approach to labor and delivery, designing our services to allow you to bond with your baby from birth through discharge. We also offer board-certified lactation consultants and a Level III NICU.

Considering giving birth at the Norman Regional Hospital, formerly known as HealthPlex? We would love to be a part of your growing family! Watch the video below to virtually tour our Labor and Delivery and Women's and Children's units. Click here to read about some of the benefits of delivering at the Norman Regional Hospital and sign up for a special new mom goody bag from our family to yours! *Due to COVID-19, we are not offering in-person tours at this time.

Treating Your Growing Family Like Our Own

Norman Regional’s team of experts is ready to care for you as you welcome your new addition into the world, with board-certified physicians, registered nurses, lactation consultants and many others. The same experienced nurses who taught you birthing classes and assessed you in triage will be the ones caring for you throughout your delivery and recovery. A member of the Newborn Transition Team will be at your delivery to care for your baby during its very important transition. Once you are both stable, you will be moved together to your Women's and Children's room.

• Preregister for your delivery. Select “Obstetrics Admission” from the drop-down menu.

Centers of Excellence

Norman Regional Health System is the first program in the state of Oklahoma to be certified in Perinatal Care by The Joint Commission.

Birth Your Way

The staff on our 16-bed Labor/Delivery/Recovery unit provides exceptional care from the time you walk in the door until you deliver. We’re on your side and want to give you the birth you desire, whether you want a nonmedicated birth or help managing pain. We also provide birthing balls, including peanut-shaped balls, for you to use during labor. Labor and delivery rooms are also outfitted with showers that laboring women can use.

When do I call my doctor?

If you have a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are pregnant and think your water is broken or you are in labor, you do not need to call the answering service. If your labor was not already scheduled for today, please go directly to Norman Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department entrance located at the east side of the hospital. From there you will be seen in the Obstetrical Emergency Department (OBED) where a board-certified OB hospitalist will assess your condition, work closely with your primary physician, and provide appropriate treatment.

Women's and Children's Unit

After giving birth, mom and baby are moved to the Women's and Children's floor, which offers 28 Women's and Children's rooms. We take a family-centered approach so baby can stay with you from birth through discharge so you can have more time for bonding. If for some reason your baby needs special care and equipment, we also offer a newborn nursery and a Level III NICU.

Skin-to-Skin

The first hour following delivery is so special, we refer to it as ‘The Golden Hour.’ During this time, your health care team will encourage uninterrupted, skin-to-skin time, at least until the first feeding is complete. There is a lot happening in that tiny body, and skin-to-skin helps with it all!

Skin-to-skin is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and has important health benefits including:

• Helping your baby regulate their temperature, breathing, heart rate and blood sugar,
• Helping your uterus shrink back to normal size,
• Enhancing bonding,
• Soothing you and your baby.

Your health care team will continue to encourage you and your significant other to practice skin-to-skin for ongoing benefits throughout your stay and even after discharge. It is important for the safety of your baby that you are awake, alert and attentive, during skin-to-skin. (Without distractions from phones or visitors.) You may find the semi-reclined, or upright position, works best to see that your baby is well-colored, breathing and responsive. And should you get sleepy, it’s best to have an alert adult to lend you a hand.

During this time, consider:

• Quiet time. Every day from 2 to 4 p.m., we have quiet time on our unit, allowing our parents and their newborns to bond, rest and breastfeed uninterrupted. We encourage our families to refrain from accepting visitors during this time.
• Lactation consultants. Breastfeeding is very important to us at the hospital. Our staff are all skilled in helping you get off to a good start, but in case you need expert advice, we offer a full lactation department with board-certified lactation consultants available seven days a week. After you go home, if you still feel the need for assistance, our consultants are available to you on an outpatient basis by appointment.

We encourage you to have a designated support person to stay with you in the hospital and after you go home. Having a baby and adjusting to the demands of a newborn is tiring, and it’s always good to have someone ready to take over to allow you some rest. Make sure you discuss any needs with your nurse prior to discharge so we can assist you.

Siblings

Norman Regional’s team has something special for siblings who are welcoming a new brother or sister. Please make sure to check-in at the main desk in the Women's and Children's unit and ask about the sibling gift.

We welcome siblings during this exciting time and understand they are a vital part of your growing family. Children 12 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult other than the patient.

Safety and Entrances

The safety and security of our patients is a priority at the Norman Regional Hospital. Between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., the entrance to the Pavilion is locked and monitored by our security team. All visitors should use the Emergency Entrance during these hours.

Obstetrical Emergency Department (OBED)

All unscheduled labor and delivery patients should use the Emergency Entrance at the Hospital at all hours to be evaluated by a board-certified OB hospitalist in the Obstetrical Emergency Department (OBED). Find out more about our OBED.

Labor & Delivery FAQ's

Q: Can I get a tour of the Labor and Delivery unit?
A: No, tours are not being offered at this time.

Q: Do you offer water births?
A: Norman Regional does not have the equipment to allow for water births. However, our patient rooms do have large walk-in showers that laboring mothers may use.

Q: Do you have midwives?
A: We do not have Certified Nurse Midwives who practice in our hospital. We are fortunate to have all board-certified OB/GYNs practicing at Norman Regional Health System. See a list of our board-certified OB/GYNs.

Q: Do you offer birthing options such as a birthing stool, birthing chair, squatting bar or birthing pool/tub? If I brought this equipment with me, would I be able to use it?
A: We encourage expecting mothers to discuss birthing options with their physician.

Q: Do you have IVs and fetal monitoring?
A: Yes. Our policies and physician orders outline IV and fetal monitoring as the safest way to deliver your care.

Q: Do you offer birthing classes or breastfeeding classes?
A: Yes, we offer a variety of classes through our Education Center at Norman Regional. Learn more about our live classes here, or call our education department at 405-307-1730 for more information. We also offer online classes for those who are unable to attend class in person.

Q: How big is your Labor and Delivery unit?
A: The Labor, Delivery and Recovery (LDR) unit on the second floor of the Pavilion has 16 patient care rooms. The rooms are supplied with the latest technology. After labor, delivery and recovery, you’ll be moved to the third-floor Women's and Children's unit.

Q: What happens if there is an emergency?
A: Norman Regional Hospital has an Obstetrical Emergency Department (OBED) to elevate the standard of care in its Labor and Delivery triage area. During the course of a pregnancy, a woman ( weeks gestation or above) may be referred to or seek care at the OBED for evaluation and/or treatment of potential urgent medical conditions. This elevated level of care allows for a patient and her unborn child to be evaluated by a physician who is a board-certified, OB hospitalist 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Our highly trained staff and board-certified physicians are capable of managing any emergency. We offer a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and anesthesia for pain management is available 24/7.

Q: How much does it cost to deliver a baby at Norman Regional?
A: Our Patient Financial Services department is happy to answer any questions you may have pertaining to costs associated with a normal delivery. Please call 405-307-1300 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Q: I just found out I’m going to have a baby and need to find a physician. Can you recommend one?
A: Use our Find a Doctor page to search for OB/GYNs and pediatricians. You can also contact the Community Call Center at 405-515-5000 or contact us here.