Family Birthplace
From the earliest stages of planning to the first years of parenthood, the Dresher Family Birthplace is here for you. During your stay, our talented and compassionate team of physicians and nurses is here to assist you with every stage of your delivery all the way through caring for your baby. We are committed to making your delivery as stress-free as possible, and our services don't end when your hospital stay does. We offer many post-natal support options to help you make a smooth transition. And designated as a Baby-Friendly® hospital, we'll help you and your new baby get off to the best possible start when it comes to breastfeeding.
As part of our steadfast commitment to expectant mothers, Upper Chesapeake Health partners with OB Hospitalist Group (OBHG), the nation’s largest OBGYN hospitalist provider. Through the partnership, OB hospitalists—doctors who treat patients while in the hospital—are on-site 24/7 helping us provide consistent care as well as handling urgent care to those arriving in our Family Birthplace. Together with OBHG, we continue to strive for the highest levels of safety and quality in women’s health care.
Personalized Birth Plans
We know not every mom-to-be wants to have her baby the same way. That's why we encourage you to personalize your birth plan with support from your physician or nurse midwife and our Family Birthplace team. We let you decide the who, what and where for your delivery day. You have choices like who you want to be there with you, how you want to feed your newborn and how soon you want to hold your baby. More and more, women are choosing to have certified nurse midwives (CNMs) as partners in their childbirth. CNMs take a holistic approach to care, meaning they address a variety of needs: physical, emotional and spiritual. They provide warmth and assurance and can care for your needs through all stages of pregnancy, including labor and delivery. At the Family Birthplace we make sure that all your bases are covered ensuring access to obstetricians, board certified nurse midwives and a Level II Special Care Nursery.
For moms preferring a natural childbirth experience (minimal medical or technological intervention) our nurses and CNMs will guide you through delivery using special breathing and relaxation techniques.
Labor and Delivery
When it's time to deliver your baby, we have 14 private Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Post-partum rooms, including one room with a labor tub. Our rooms are spacious enough to accommodate a family member throughout the birthing experience and feature recessed state-of-the-art operating room lighting, a large bathroom and storage area. Mothers are encouraged to have their baby stay with them during the entire hospital stay, helping her and other family members begin bonding with the newborn.
Expectant Parent Classes and Support Groups
From expectant parent classes, sibling prep and maternity tours to breastfeeding support and car seat safety checks, we offer a comprehensive list of programs to get the whole family ready for the new arrival. For more information and schedule details visit our events calendar.
Family Birthplace Services
During your stay, your nurses are here to assist you with caring for your baby. Our services don't end after your hospital stay is over, post-natal support are offered to help you make the transition. Learn more about the services we offer:
Family Birthplace Location
University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Bel Air (UM UCMC Bel Air)
500 Upper Chesapeake Drive
Bel Air, MD 21014
Family Birthplace Visitation Policy
Due to COVID-19 we are currently only allowing one visitor inclusive of a professional support person or postpartum helper of a patient in the labor & delivery and postpartum units. Please see temporary changes to our visitor policy due to COVID-19 for additional information.
While we have designated visiting hours and policies, we understand that you may want to have many family members with you at different times during your stay here. We ask that they check in with the health care team in Family Birthplace and that they understand that visitation is based on your needs and the discretion of the health care team. We have overnight accommodations for a guest if you choose to have someone stay with you.
Additional Information and Resources
- Due Date Calculator
- Ovulation Calculator
- Safe Sleep Environment Tips
- For a referral to a practitioner with privileges at UM Upper Chesapeake Health, call 800-515-0044.
- Breastfeeding Warm Line (443-643-2948): The warm line provides important current information related to breastfeeding and a way for a mother to leave a message for a lactation consultant to return her call. Calls are returned daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Unlike a hot line where a call is answered immediately, a warm line call will be returned within 24 hours.
For more information on classes available or a physician referral, please call 800-515-0044.