A Guide to the Family Birth Center at St. Mary’s: What to Expect

Your Birth Experience, Your Way

Every family’s birth story is unique. That’s why our experienced care team works with you to create a birth plan that honors your preferences, from pain management options to who’s in the room with you.

Our services include:

• Private, spacious labor, delivery, postpartum, and recovery suites
• A range of pain relief options, including epidurals and natural birthing support
• 24/7 OB and anesthesia coverage for safe, responsive care
• Supportive, family-centered environment with rooming-in for partners
• Lactation support and newborn education to help you feel confident from day one

We’re honored to be a trusted choice for families across Northeast Georgia, combining clinical excellence with warmth and compassion.

Advanced Care for Newborns: Our Level II NICU

While most births go as planned, it’s comforting to know that extra support is close at hand if your baby needs it. Our Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides specialized care for:

• Babies born early (as early as 32 weeks of gestation)
• Newborns needing breathing support, feeding assistance, or monitoring
• Babies experiencing complications after birth
• Staffed 24/7 by board-certified neonatologists and neonatal nurses, our NICU keeps parents close and involved every step of the way.

Support for Every Step of Your Journey

Having a baby is more than a medical event; it’s a major life transition. We’re here to support you from pregnancy through postpartum with services that include:

• Childbirth and breastfeeding classes
• Pre-registration assistance so your delivery day is stress-free
• Tours of the Family Birth Center to help you feel prepared
• Emotional and spiritual care during and after birth
• Postpartum support and education to ease the transition home

Our nurses, midwives, and doctors aren’t just here to provide care; they are here to listen, guide, and celebrate with you.

Why Moms Choose St. Mary’s

We’re proud to be a place where families feel safe, respected, and seen. Here's why so many parents in our community choose St. Mary’s for their delivery:

• Highly experienced care team with a strong reputation for safety
• Family-focused environment where bonding is prioritized
• Advanced NICU and newborn care under one roof
• Warm, personalized support through every stage of pregnancy and delivery
• A legacy of faith-based care rooted in dignity and compassion

Tour the Family Birth Center

We’d love to welcome you for a tour, introduce you to our team, and answer your questions. Seeing the space in person often helps moms feel more confident and ready for the big day.

Trust Starts with a Conversation

If you’re pregnant or planning to grow your family soon, it’s never too early to start building a relationship with a provider you trust. Visit one of our primary care or OB/GYN offices to begin your journey with St. Mary’s:

• Athens Internal Medicine Associates – Athens
• Community Internal Medicine of Athens – Athens
• Georgia Family Medicine – Watkinsville
• Good Samaritan Primary Care – Greater Greene County area
• Sacred Heart Primary Care – Greater Franklin County area
• St. Mary's Family Medicine – Bogart
• St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates – Watkinsville/Oconee
• St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates on Chase – North Athens/Jackson/Madison
• St. Mary's Primary Care – Athens
• Clear Creek OB/GYN - Lavonia (delivers at St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital Mother/Baby Unit in Lavonia)