Planning for Your Child's Birth

Find your care

If you are a new patient seeking prenatal care, please call 310-794-7274. If you are an established patient and need to reach labor and delivery, call 310-825-9111 for Westwood or 424-259-9250 for Santa Monica.

See our outpatient OB/GYN locations

Learn More About Giving Birth at the UCLA Health BirthPlace

We know you have many choices in deciding where to give birth to your child. Thank you for considering UCLA, which is consistently ranked among the finest hospitals in Southern California. By choosing us, you can rest assured you and your baby will receive the excellent and personalized care you want with the technology and safety you need.

Pre-Admission Registration

The BirthPlace offers pre-admission registration at your fingertips through UCLA MyChart! Access registration for your delivery through the myChart app Menu > Register for my delivery.

Pre-Admission Registration for UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

Pre-Admission Registration for Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

Choosing your Obstetrician/Pediatrician

Throughout your pregnancy, you will have regular visits with your obstetrician. After giving birth, you will see your pediatrician for well-baby visits at least six times in the first year of your baby's life. It's important you choose doctors you trust and like.

UCLA Health makes those decisions easy by providing you with convenient access to dozens of top-quality physicians in your neighborhood. For a list of UCLA obstetricians and pediatricians near you, go to uclahealth.org or call (800) 825-2631.

Most UCLA pediatricians offer a get-acquainted visit to help you learn more about them. We strongly encourage you to choose your baby's pediatrician before you are admitted for delivery, and request that you provide us with the doctor's name, address and phone number so we can forward all test results to his or her office. UCLA pediatricians typically will arrange to see your newborn while you are still at the hospital. If your pediatrician is not within the UCLA network, you may need to make those arrangements yourself.

What to Discuss With Your Obstetrician or Midwife

Doctor speaking to pregnant woman and her husband in hospital room

Type of delivery
Anesthesia and episiotomy use
Fetal monitoring
Delivery participants
Medication options
Labor induction
Delivery positions
Circumcision

What to Discuss With Your Pediatrician

Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding
Newborn screenings and hearing tests
Examinations
Vaccinations

Birth Preferences

As you prepare for the birth of your child, there are several considerations to discuss with your obstetrician or midwife. This includes things like who will be present during your labor/delivery, pain management options, considerations for comfort during labor (music, aromatherapy, shower, etc.), and more.

Download the birth preferences form here:
Birth Preferences

What to Bring When Giving Birth

It's a good idea to have a suitcase packed and ready by the beginning of your ninth month. Items to pack for your stay should include:

For You

Nightgown
Nursing bras
Robe and slippers
Toiletries and cosmetics
Change of clothes to wear home (5-month pregnancy size)

For Your Support Person (if staying overnight):

Pajamas or robe
Change of clothes
Toiletries
Comfortable clothes

For Baby

Large blanket or shawl (depending on weather)
Receiving blanket
Nightgown, shirt, sweater
Cloth diapers and rubber or Velcro pants, if desired
Cap or hat, socks or booties
Infant car seat
Hospital linens, such as blankets and T-shirts, cannot be taken home at discharge.

Optional Items

Wireless tablet or laptop
MP3 player or iPod
Camera or video camera
Extra pillows
Other comfort items

What not to bring when giving birth:

Pads
Baby Brush
Baby Wash
Baby Wipes
Diapers
Breast pads
Breast Pump
Breastfeeding pillow
Formula

Food Services

Our Food Services Department provides several healthy, fine-dining menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner and strives to accommodate special dietary requests, including kosher, vegetarian, low-carbohydrate and ethnically diverse entrée options. Registered dietitians also are available for nutritional consultation and questions.

You may order meals to be delivered to your room anytime between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm Please allow 45 minutes for room service. Guest meals for family members or friends are available for an additional charge. For more information, talk to your nurse or call Food Services at (424) 259-6600.

After room service has ended, sandwiches and snacks are available in Café Santa Monica, which is open 6:30 am to 2:00 am Monday through Friday, and 6:30 am to 8:00 pm weekends and holidays. Café Santa Monica is located on the ground level of our hospital.

Spiritual Care Services

Our Spiritual Care Department is committed to caring for the spiritual needs of patients and their families. Patients of all faith traditions may request a chaplain visit. Services offered include pastoral visits, emotional and spiritual support, rituals and sacraments.

Financial Information

The cost to have a baby at The BirthPlace, Santa Monica varies according to your insurance coverage, the type of delivery and your length of stay. We suggest you talk to your insurance company about your coverage and then speak with one of our financial counselors. They can answer your questions and provide more detailed information about accepted insurance plans and any other charges you could incur. (424) 259-8010

Foreign patients should contact our International Relations Office at (310) 794-8759 for additional financial information. Please note that insurance companies do not automatically add newborns to their parents' policies. Contact your employer or insurance carrier as soon as possible after delivery to ensure continuous coverage.