Family Birthing Services: West Bank

• Breastfeeding support: Our hospital is certified by The Gift, a Louisiana Department of Health Office of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health program that encourages breastfeeding best practices. Our lactation center provides prenatal lactation consultations by phone and in-person. Postpartum lactation assistance is available by calling 504-391-5195.
• Experienced, multidisciplinary team: Our team includes OB/GYNs, neonatologists, neonatology nurse practitioners and a tight-knit team of nurses. We have an excellent relationship with our local pediatricians, who regularly visit their patients when they’re preparing to give birth at our hospital.
• High-level facilities: Our hospital is home to a Level 2 labor and delivery unit, providing care for mothers and babies with moderate complications. We also have a Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), equipped to care for critically ill or premature newborns who need advanced medical support. In the NICU, our team cares for babies born as early as 22 to 23 weeks of gestation, offering feeding and respiratory support as well as rehabilitation services.
• Recognitions for excellence: Our continued commitment to outstanding care for mothers and babies has been recognized through our Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative (LaPQC) Birth Ready+ and Gift designations from the Louisiana Department of Health.
• Seamless connectivity to a large network of care: At Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank Campus, you’ll receive the same level of care that’s available at our sister location, Ochsner Baptist - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center. If your baby needs a service that’s not available here, we’ll transfer them to Ochsner Baptist - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center or Ochsner Children's Hospital quickly and seamlessly.

In each of our 21 private mother/baby birthing suites, soon-to-be-parents will find elements designed to make them feel comfortable and supported during labor and birth. 

Other highlights of the family unit include:

• Two nearby operating rooms
• Four observation rooms
• 15 before-birth and birthing rooms
• 16-bed NICU
• Family waiting room for the labor and delivery and mother/baby areas

Within easy driving distance for many residents of southern Louisiana and southern Mississippi, the family unit is located on the second floor of Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank Campus. 

Our family birthing services feature childbirth classes and other resources to help parents and babies thrive, including:

• Baby basics class: Learn the basics of infant care in this free class.
• Breastfeeding class: In this free class, a lactation consultant will provide information about positioning, pumping and other breastfeeding basics.
• Car seat safety checks: Want to ensure your child’s car seat is installed correctly? We offer car seat safety checks by appointment with a certified child passenger safety technician. To schedule, email carseatinstalls@ochsner.org.
• Family unit tours. Let us show you around and tell you more about everything our family birth center offers.
• Infant CPR: Find out how to perform CPR for infants and children and learn important safety information in this class by the American Heart Association. The fee is $15 per person or $25 for two people.
• Prenatal classes: In these free, quarterly classes, you’ll learn about labor and delivery, medical interventions, the postpartum period and caring for your newborn.

View the 2025 class schedule. To register for a class or schedule a tour, email wbpnc@ochsner.org.

Ochsner Medical Center, including Ochsner Baptist and Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank, is ranked #13 in the nation for obstetrics and gynecology by U.S. News & World Report.

Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank Campus earned the High Performing in Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) rating from U.S. News & World Report. This is the highest rating award for maternity care, reserved for the top third of hospitals evaluated by U.S. News & World Report.

Our unit is family friendly because we know it’s important for new mothers to have their support network around them. The safety of moms and babies, however, is our top priority, which is why our visitor guidelines vary based on the risk posed by illnesses circulating in our community, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). To find out the current visitor guidelines, check with your nurse upon arrival.

Babies might need to spend time in the NICU if they are born prematurely or have difficulty feeding or breathing on their own. We transfer babies who need surgery to one of our sister facilities: Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans or Ochsner Baptist - A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center.

Yes. You may rent a hospital-grade breast pump through our lactation center. Breast pump parts and other breastfeeding supplies are also available. For more information, please call 504-391-5195.