Birthing Suite
SMHC’s Birthing Suite is one of a kind, just like you and your baby. Our family-centered approach provides a truly special birth experience. No matter what birthing path you choose, the experienced physicians and nursing staff are here to provide you with compassionate, warm, and individualized care.
During your stay, we offer an array of services and amenities designed to meet your healthcare needs and support your wishes for a safe and joyful birth.
- Private, cottage-style rooms
- In-room sleeping accommodations for Dad
- Room service for you and your partner
- 24-hour pain management
- Doula services
- Whirlpools, massage and other comfort measures
- Safe and secure “Hugs” infant protection system
Preparing for your baby
The Birthing Suite offers education classes to help prepare you and your family for your new baby and so you will feel confident going into your delivery.
Support after your baby arrives
We encourage rooming-in with your baby to promote bonding and improve breastfeeding success. Lactation consultants are available seven days a week to support your goals and help families from birth through weaning. If you would like to know more about the benefits of breastfeeding please call our Breastfeeding Helpline at 207-283-7335.
To provide support before and after your baby’s birth, nurses are available to answer your questions through our 24-hour Helpline at 207-283-7350.
Advanced care
Should complications arise, rest assured that your newborn will be provided with the most up-to-date care using advanced technology delivered by experienced neonatal nurses and physicians.
If a higher level of care is needed, we work with our MaineHealth partner, the Maine Medical Center Neonatal Transport Team, to ensure safe transport to their Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Here at the Birthing Suite, we care about your experience. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and make your stay with us truly special.
The SMHC Birthing Suite is pleased to offer parents and families the opportunity to have high quality photos taken of their new arrival by Kelly Roy Photography.
- View photos of your little one through your private, password-protected online nursery at Kelly Roy Photography.
- Tammi Bittler, M.D.
- Karen Lucas, M.D.
- Peter Manning, M.D.
- Mary O'Hare, M.D.
- Gretchen Paranya Mackenzie, M.D.
- Wayne White, M.D.
- Dawn Klinner Albright, P.A.
Safe Baby - Infant Safety and Infant CPR
A non-certificate CPR course by the American Heart Association for family & friends, as well as basic home safety. It's never too late to learn basic CPR. Fee: $25.00 per person. For dates and registration, please click here.
Safe Travels - Car Seat Information
Designed to help parents/grandparents understand the importance of their child's car seats. So many gadgets and what to dos. Taught by a NHTSA Certified Child Passenger Technician. Held bi-monthly or by appointment. Free. For dates and registration, please click here.
Prenatal Breastfeeding Appointment
Facilitated by a Birthing Suite Certified Lactation Consultant. Topics include: how to breastfeed your baby, what's normal, and where to get help if needed. Please call 207-283-7335 to schedule your personal appointment.
Childbirth Education
These classes will cover a variety of the birth information, as well as pain control, stages of labor, positions, breathing and much more. Let us help you become informed so you can create realistic goals and expectations for your most perfect day. For dates and registration, please click here.-
Celebrating Birth*
One day, held monthly on a Saturday, 9:00am-4:00pm (* Expectant mothers should be in their last trimester, 32-38 weeks pregnant) Fee: $100.00 per couple.
Dad-to-Be Class - No Mom's Allowed
This class is for the 1st time Dads who will be looking to get more information in a brief version of the amazing year ahead. Topics include: Planning and preparing for your new addition, labor from a man's point of view and what to expect once you get home for the 1st few weeks to the changing year ahead. Held bi-monthly. Fee $10.00 per person. For dates and registration, please click here.
Fast Pass to Home - Discharge Class
Discuss postpartum care for the new Mom, and basic newborn care. This will help expedite the discharge process from the Birthing Suite once you have delivered your baby and wish to go home. Held bi-monthly; free incentive gift given upon class completion. Fee: $5.00 per couple. For dates and registration, please click here.
Big Brother/Big Sister School
Introduce your children to their new role as a sibling to a newborn. They'll visit the birthing suite, see a video and talk about being a big sister or big brother. Please bring a stuffed animal or doll for cuddling. Ages 3-6, held bi-monthly. Fee: $5.00 per family. For dates and registration, please click here.
Grandparenting Today - It's Different Now
A class for grandparents-to-be. Grandma/Grandpa, Nana/Pop, Mémère/Pépère, what's your name going to be? Information to prepare you for your baby's baby. So many changes and so many choices. Come join us to learn basic Infant CPR, Car Seat Safety and review new information since your child was a newborn. Fee: $10.00 per person. For dates and registration, please click here.
Breastfeeding Support Group
For Mom's and babies up to 6 months. Free. Thursdays, 10:00-11:00am - For more information, please call (207) 283-7335.
Mother's Circle - New Mom Support Group
We welcome moms in the third trimester of pregnancy through the first year after birth of your baby to join us in a supportive, non-judgmental environment to share in the good, the challenges and the in-betweens of being a new mom. Newborns and siblings up to one year old are welcome. Second & Fourth Tuesday of each month 10:00 – 11:00am. SMHC, 1 Medical Center Drive, Biddeford - Webber Building, 2nd Floor Conference Room. For more information, please click here.
- Your Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Calendar – A week by week guide of your baby’s development and your changing body.
- Staying Healthy
- Eating Right for You and Your Baby
- Folic Acid
- Exercising while Pregnant
Welcome to our birthing suite, where families begin. With this wish list we hope to help you make informed decisions for a joyful labor and birth experience.
Please follow the link below for a printable copy of SMHC's Birth Wishes list. We recommend that you read read through the options and discuss your wishes with your support person. Your physician can help you make more informed decisions. The knowledge you gain from reading, childbirth classes or discussion with others can help with informed choices and wishes. Feel free to add any information you feel would aid the staff here at Southern Maine Medical Center to assist you in your labor and birth process. Many of the choices put forth in this handout are routine at SMMC. Please know that your birth wishes should be flexible, and that changes can be made during your stay with us.
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