Labor and delivery
Labor and delivery unit in Panama City
We have shared life's meaningful moments with thousands of Bay County families.
The Women's Center at HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital is the area's only labor and delivery unit. We take pride in welcoming you and your loved ones to our pregnancy center's family-focused environment, where we offer personalized, compassionate care.
Expert advice, available 24/7
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties
Our maternity care program
We offer comfortable amenities and comprehensive childbirth services for expectant mothers.
Obstetric services and amenities
Our specially trained nurses, board-certified obstetricians and certified nurse midwives (CNM) are available 24/7 to meet the needs of women who are expecting.
Additional features of our maternity care program include:
- 10 labor, delivery and recovery rooms
- 22 postpartum suites
- 24-hour anesthesia coverage
- Antepartum care
- Birth certificate processing
- Birthing balls and peanuts
- Breastfeeding support
- Flat screen TVs
- Free Wi-Fi
- High-risk pregnancy care
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
- Maternal-fetal medicine
- Childbirth classes
- Lactation classes
- Maternity classes
- Neonatal transport team
- Newborn photography
- Universal hearing screening program
- Welcome gift
Breastfeeding support
If you want to breastfeed, our certified lactation consultants and staff are available to help you and your baby learn the proper techniques. For your convenience, breast pumps are available in every mother-and-baby room. Our team knows that breastfeeding is not easy, and we want to give you the support you need. For more information about lactation services or to schedule an appointment, please call (850) 747-7898.
Fetal testing suite
For women who are identified as high risk for perinatal complications, we offer the Fetal Testing Suite. This is a comfortable and private room where we perform a variety of outpatient fetal tests.
Labor and delivery rooms
Our goal is to enrich the birth experience for you and your family. Our 10 private labor, delivery and recovery rooms offer a safe and supportive environment with home-like décor.
We welcome your family and friends to share this exciting event with you because we believe that childbirth is a moment for loved ones. At the same time, we value your privacy, and we do all we can to ensure your comfort and ease your transition into motherhood.
Neonatal intensive care
With Bay County's only Level III NICU, our neonatal specialists are uniquely equipped to care for babies born prematurely or with illnesses.
Postpartum support
Our care for you doesn't end after you give birth. We continue to care for you throughout your hospital stay. We offer postpartum services and accommodations, so that you feel comfortable and healthy before returning home with your newborn.
What to expect during your maternity stay
Our team is dedicated to helping you experience a special, safe and comfortable labor and delivery. We've provided information below to help you prepare for your stay at our hospital.
Coming to the hospital for labor and delivery
If you think you may be in labor or if your water breaks or begins to leak, call your doctor immediately.
On the big day, you can enter through our hospital’s front entrance or through the emergency room entrance. You can then proceed to the second floor, where the labor and delivery department is located.
From 9:00pm to 5:00am, you can only enter the hospital through the emergency room (ER) entrance. If you need assistance, please notify our staff, and they will escort you to the labor and delivery department to be examined. If it is determined that you are in labor, you will be admitted to the hospital to have your baby.
Packing your hospital bag
Many expectant mothers pack for their maternity hospital stay a few weeks before their baby is due. Consider including the following items:
- A bathrobe
- Clothes for you and your baby to wear home
- Several nightgowns
- Slippers
- Toiletries
- Undergarments
If you plan to breastfeed, we recommend that you pack:
- Bras
- Nursing gowns
- Nursing pillow
For extra comfort, many mothers bring an extra pillow from home and other personal items. Please be sure to leave valuables — including jewelry — at home, as we cannot be held responsible for their protection.
Cesarean section (C-section)
If you have scheduled a C-section, you will be given a time to arrive at the hospital that may be several hours prior to your scheduled surgery. This will allow your lab work to be completed and your nurse to prepare you for surgery.
Visit the labor and delivery department on the second floor for registration and a staff member will direct you from there. On occasion, it may be necessary to temporarily reschedule your C-section due to unanticipated deliveries or emergencies. In the event this happens, a staff member will contact you with an estimated time of arrival.
One support person may be present for the C-section. Your support person will be required to wear appropriate surgical apparel and to sit by anesthesia. In case of an emergency, the support person will be asked to wait outside the operating room.
Circumcision
Parents of male babies may choose to have their babies circumcised before they leave the hospital. Please discuss circumcision with your doctor to learn about the advantages, disadvantages and cost.
Visitation during childbirth
Family and friends are an important part of your new baby’s life. We kindly ask that patients and visitors follow our hospital's visitation rules. Visiting hours are posted throughout the Women’s Center. This ensures that our staff can give you and your baby the best possible care.
Children, siblings and other visitors are allowed in patient rooms at the judgment of the provider. Please remember that the number of visitors during any situation may be limited by the physician or nursing staff based on your condition.
Your support person and other persons may be present for vaginal deliveries.
Postpartum visitation
A newborn’s immune system is immature. For this reason, we ask that visitors wash their hands before holding your baby. If your family and friends are sick, please ask them not to visit until they are healthy.
You can help limit your baby’s exposure to disease by asking family and friends to make childcare arrangements before visiting you, as young children tend to be sick more often than adults.
Photography and videography
We know that birth is a special event for your family, and we understand the importance of being able to take photos and videos. Our staff will discuss appropriate times for photography and videography with you prior to delivery, as there may be times when cameras are not allowed. Our staff will be available to answer questions.
Your baby's doctor
Many parents choose their baby's pediatrician and schedule an office visit to discuss their medical history and neonatal care before the child is born.
Your baby’s doctor will examine the baby within a few hours of birth to discuss baby care and to schedule his or her first office visit. If you need help finding a pediatrician, please call Consult-A-Nurse® at (844) 706-8773 for a physician referral.
Waiting rooms
A comfortable waiting room is available for family and friends of mothers in labor. We encourage you or your support person to call and update your family and friends often, as phone calls cannot be transferred into labor rooms.
Birthing Center Tour
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