Labor & Delivery Frequently Asked Questions

What to Expect on Labor and Delivery

At BMC, we want you to feel supported and informed every step of the way during your upcoming birth.

You can find answers about what to expect at the hospital, who will take care of you, your support people, what to bring, and how long you might stay.  

How Do I Talk to Someone?

• If you are a BMC patient, call 617.414.2000, 24 hours a day
• If you see a midwife, call 617.414.7293 for emergencies and on nights and weekends.  
• You can call your clinic at the number they have provided you.

Who Will Take Care of Me?

• During your birth you will have a nurse to care for you and a second nurse to care for your baby after they are born. The nurse will be the person who supports you, helps you with your birth plan, gives comfort, and lets the team know what is important to you.  
• You can have a doula or birth sister. They give emotional and/or physical support during labor and birth.  
• You may have a doctor or midwife at your birth.
  • What is a midwife? A midwife is a nurse with special training. They take care of people during pregnancy, labor, birth, and after the baby is born. They are experts in healthy pregnancy.  
  • What is a family medicine doctor? Family doctors are experts in caring for people of all ages, including during pregnancy, labor and birth, and after your baby is born. Some family doctors do surgeries like C-sections. Family doctors also provide primary care, and can take care of you, your baby, and your whole family.
  • What is an obstetrician? An obstetrician is a doctor who is an expert in pregnancy, labor, and birth. They help with health problems during this time. They do surgeries like c-section if needed and can help you if there is an emergency.  
  • What is a resident doctor? A resident is a doctor who has finished medical school and is still learning. They work with your doctor or midwife to help care for you and your baby.
  • What is a medical student? Medical students are doctors in training. They may help support you during labor and birth, supervised by doctors and midwives.  
  • What is an anesthesiologist? An anesthesiologist is a doctor who gives medicine to help with pain. If you want an epidural, they will help. They also give medicine if you need a cesarean birth.  
  • What is a pediatrician? A pediatrician is a doctor who takes care of babies after they are born.  Pediatricians only provide care for children.  A neonatologist is a pediatrician who cares for babies if they need special help in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit).  

Who is my Support Team?

• You can have three support people with you during labor. These can be your partner, a parent, a family member, or a friend.  
• You can have one support person with you in the triage area (where we check how your labor is going)
• You can have one support person with you in the operating room and in the recovery room after surgery.
• You can also have a birth sister or doula during your labor. A birth sister or doula does not count as one of your three support people.  

What Do Support People Need to Know?

• Each support person gets a bracelet and a security badge.
  • Keep your badge with you. You need it to use the elevator to 4th floor Labor & Delivery.
  • Badges last 24 hours. Each day, your support person must get a new badge.  
• Only the three support people you choose can be with you.
• Your three support people can be with you day and night during labor and birth
• After your baby is born, one support person can stay with you overnight in the Postpartum Unit.

Can My Children Be in Labor and Delivery?

• If you are going to triage, contact a support person to help watch any children that may be with you. The triage area is not safe for children.
• Children 14 and older can be support people during labor and birth.
• If you want younger children or a sibling at the birth, talk with your provider before labor starts.
• The hospital does not have childcare.
• Please make a childcare plan before you come to the hospital.

What Are the Visiting Hours?

During labor:

• You can have three support people with you at any time during labor and birth.

After the birth:

• Visitors are welcome from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• You may have one guest stay overnight.
• Visitors of any age are welcome after the birth (postpartum).
• Quiet time is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. This is a time for new parents and babies to rest.

What Can I Expect for Meals & Food?

• You will get three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
• There are also limited snacks, juice, and ginger ale available.  
• A food staff member will help take your meal order.
• Your support people will not get meals, but they can:  
  • Bring food from home
  • Order takeout
  • Visit a hospital cafeteria – see onsite food options here

How Do I Get to Labor & Delivery?

Address: 850 Harrison Avenue, Yawkey building, 4th floor

Labor and delivery is in a different building than ultrasound and prenatal visit appointments.

Daytime entrance: 
Main entrance, 850 Harrison Avenue, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Nighttime entrance: 
Emergency Room entrance, 725 Albany Street, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Parking info: BMC Parking Info

Self-parking

• 710 Albany Street Garage
• $8 every 24 hours, but we will validate parking

Valet parking

• At the main entrance of the Menino Pavilion (840 Harrison Avenue), adjacent to the Moakley and Yawkey buildings, as well as the Shapiro Building.
• The valet is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday at Menino Pavilion. At the Shapiro Building, the valet is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.  
• The cost is $18.

How Long Will I Stay at the Hospital after Birth?

• After vaginal birth: you will usually stay two days.
• After C-section: you will usually stay three to four days.
• Talk to your care team if you have special needs or preferences.