Planning Your Stay for Childbirth at OHSU

A pregnant person looks out the window in one of our spacious, comfortable suites at the OHSU Family Birthing Center.
Each birthing suite has large windows looking out on the OHSU hospital grounds.

We will work with you to make your stay as easy and comfortable as possible. The information on this page will help you plan ahead for your peace of mind. You’ll find:

  • Directions, printable maps and parking information
  • Suggested packing lists for you, your birth partner and your baby
  • Information for your visitors

How to get to Labor and Delivery at OHSU

You can pre-register for your hospital stay before you arrive. This will save you time when you check in. Learn how to pre-register.

Room for your partner

Your partner or support person is welcome to stay with you throughout your labor, childbirth and recovery. In your birthing suite, they will have a chair or bed. After you give birth, both of you can bond with your new baby in our Mother Baby Unit.  These rooms have a built-in bed for your partner or support person.

One person can stay overnight with you. The person should register when you check in.

What to bring

Documents:

  • Your birth plan
  • Insurance card
  • Photo ID
  • Social Security number

Clothes and toiletries:

  • Basic toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, lip balm and deodorant
  • Socks and slippers
  • A change of clothing and loose-fitting clothes to labor in
  • Comfortable bras, sports bras and/or nursing bras
  • Pajamas and/or a bathrobe
  • Swimwear if you prefer not to be naked while laboring in a tub or shower
  • A hairbrush, hair ties and/or barrettes

For your comfort:

  • Eyeglasses; they can be easier to deal with than contacts.
  • A pillow with a nonwhite pillowcase and a blanket
  • Snacks; only clear liquids if you’re having an epidural
  • Speaker to play music
  • Massage tools
  • A focal point for labor — something to look at and concentrate on during contractions
  • LED candles

  • Cell phone and charger (free WiFi available)
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant
  • Change of clothes
  • Snacks
  • Pajamas or sleepwear
  • Swimwear, to support your partner in the tub or shower during labor

For your baby:

  • Infant car seat, already installed. The Tom Sargent Safety Center at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital offers a free car seat installation program. Certified technicians can help make sure you have the right seat and that it’s properly installed. The center also offers safety tips for traveling with your baby.
  • Clothes and blanket for going home

For you:

  • Nursing bra and breast pads if you plan to breastfeed
  • Loose-fitting underwear
  • Loose-fitting clothes to wear home
  • Snacks for your partner; your meals will be provided

Visitor information

Hours: You can receive visitors at Labor and Delivery around the clock, as long as you are feeling up to it. We also offer family waiting rooms with vending machines. Coffee and dining options, including a 24-hour cafeteria, are nearby.

Restrictions: Visitors who have symptoms of COVID-19 or other contagious illnesses are not allowed in the labor and delivery areas. Be sure to review OHSU’s visitor policies.

Free parking: People visiting patients on Marquam Hill may park free at any time.

Amenities:

For patients

Location

Parking is free for patients and their visitors.

OHSU Hospital
3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Rd.
Portland, OR 97239
Driving directions

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Safety resources

Get safety tips and advice from Doernbecher’s Tom Sargent Safety Center.