Newly Renovated Labor and Delivery and Postpartum Suites at UH St. John Medical Center

CLEVELAND - Families delivering at UH St. John Medical Center can now enjoy newly renovated labor and delivery and postpartum suites thoughtfully designed to enhance the birth experience and support recovery.

The upgrades, part of the UH MacDonald Women's Hospital family birthing center at UH St. John, represent an important step in expanding care for mothers and babies across western Cuyahoga County, Lorain County, and surrounding communities.

For caregivers, the changes mean more patients can receive specialized care close to home. 

"We are proud to invest in the maternity and newborn services at UH St. John because it means more families can stay close to home for advanced care,” says Shannon Graves BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, CCE, nurse manager of UH MacDonald Women’s Hospital on the Campus of St. John.

The newly renovated unit was designed with both clinical excellence and patient experience in mind. On the second floor, expectant mothers are cared for in 11 Labor, Delivery and Recovery rooms which include ensuite bathrooms, along with four private triage rooms, three pre- and post-operative bays, two operating rooms and an infant stabilization room.

Several features support a more personalized birth experience. Two labor rooms include tubs for hydrotherapy, while aromatherapy, adjustable lighting and nitrous oxide are available for patients seeking additional comfort measures during labor.

After delivery, families move to the fourth floor, where 15 private postpartum rooms allow mothers and newborns to recover together in a comfortable setting. A newborn nursery also supports ongoing care during the hospital stay.

Supporting that care is a multidisciplinary team available around the clock, including OB hospitalists, certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists and pediatricians. The unit's approximately 50 registered nurses provide one-to-one nursing care during labor, helping ensure close monitoring and individualized support throughout the birthing process.

The commitment to families continues after delivery. Lactation specialists are available seven days a week to assist with breastfeeding and infant feeding concerns, and a weekly support group helps families navigate the transition home.

For the caregivers who work within the newly renovated spaces, the investment is about more than updated facilities. It reflects a commitment to providing high-quality, family-centered care and ensuring that mothers and babies can receive the services they need, close to the communities they call home.