Maternity Care
Our maternity program provides comprehensive, patient-centered care throughout pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum for both routine and high-risk pregnancies. We serve expectant mothers, families and referring providers throughout New Jersey with expert obstetric and neonatal services. Hackensack Meridian Health delivers advanced maternity care across North, Central and South NJ, offering access to nationally recognized specialists close to home. As six of our hospitals earned a “High Performing” designation in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals for Maternity Care, we combine clinical excellence, innovation and compassionate care to deliver the best outcomes.
You need a maternity team that takes the time to understand your unique pregnancy and childbirth preferences. At Hackensack Meridian Health, you can feel confident knowing your safe pregnancy is our priority. Your baby will be delivered by caring experts who are passionate about what they do.
Our Childbirth Centers
Hackensack Meridian Health’s childbirth centers are designed for the comfort of you and your family. We offer:
- Comfortable reclining sleeper chair for other parent/support person
- Complimentary dining
- Labor and delivery rooms with amenities such as peanut balls, rocking chairs, aromatherapy
- Magic Hour when parents and/or support person and baby can be alone together, allowing time for skin-to-skin contact to encourage bonding
- Private recovery rooms with private bathrooms and showers
We’ve taken every step to ensure the safest delivery possible. Our childbirth centers are staffed 24-7 with experts specially trained in labor and delivery, including:
- Anesthesiologists offering an array of pain relief options
- Board-certified obstetricians and pediatricians conveniently located near you
- Magnet®-recognized labor and delivery nurses, who will be with you every step of the way
- Maternal-fetal medicine physicians who specialize in high-risk pregnancy
Doula Support
To learn more about Hackensack Meridian Health’s perspectives on Doula care within the network, click here.
High-Risk Pregnancy and Newborns
You’ll find the highest level of care at our two children’s hospitals - K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital in Neptune and Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital in Hackensack. Our children’s hospitals are equipped with a Level III Regional Perinatal Center. We provide the highest level of care for high-risk mothers and acutely ill newborns using the most advanced technology and highly trained staff.
Maternity Tours
For inquiries about maternity tours: In-person tours are now being conducted at select hospital sites across the network. Please call your local hospital to learn more about availability. Virtual video tours are offered for many of our hospitals and can be accessed by scrolling down the page.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center is Ranked #1 in New Jersey for Obstetrics and Gynecology by U.S. News & World Report
In Hospital Newborn Photography
Many of our hospitals partner with Bella Baby Photography to offer you the opportunity to capture your baby’s first photographs in a professional, artistic style that can easily be shared with family and friends.
Bella Baby brings experienced, professional photographers to the hospital to capture your first moments with your baby in the comfort of your hospital room.
Though you don’t need to bring anything to have beautiful and natural photos, many choose to bring a special blanket, hat or souvenir from home to make their session special.
Hackensack Meridian hospitals that offer Bella Baby photography can be found on Bella Baby’s pre-register link.
Parent Education and Resources
Are you an expectant parent looking for guidance on your journey to parenthood? We offer a full spectrum of outstanding care and services. Our virtual classes provide valuable information to help you prepare for childbirth, breastfeeding, infant care, and more.
What Will You Learn in Our Classes?
We encourage expectant parents to join our free* online classes. These sessions are a wonderful way to connect with others and gain practical information from our team. We cover a variety of topics to help you feel more prepared, including preparing for childbirth, breastfeeding, infant care and more.
Convenient and Accessible for Your Busy Schedule
To make it easy for you to attend, we offer both day and night sessions. You can learn from the comfort of your own home with our virtual class options.
Ready to Get Started?
View our class schedule and register today to join our community of expectant parents.
*Prices are subject to change at any time.
Our expert lactation consultants provide breastfeeding and lactation support while you are in the hospital and after you return home. Both in-person and telehealth services are available.
As part of our commitment to your family's well-being, our hospitals are proud members of the Safe Kids Coalition. Safe Kids Bergen County, led by Hackensack University Medical Center, is dedicated to protecting children from preventable injuries through education, community programs, and family support.
Our coalition provides trusted guidance on topics like car seat safety, safe sleep, water safety, home safety, and more.
Explore Our Guides from HealthU:
For additional information, access important, potentially life-saving safety information and resources designed to keep children safe at every age and stage or contact Nicole Kilgallen, RN Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator at HUMC at trauma@hmhn.org.
Our trauma centers at Hackensack Meridian Health proudly partner with the New Jersey State Police to offer a free Car Seat Checks and Education program dedicated to keeping children safe on the road. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians provide hands-on guidance to ensure car seats and booster seats are properly installed and appropriate for each child's age, size, and developmental needs.
Our monthly Car Seat Fitting Station is offered at Jersey Shore University Medical Center Regional Trauma Center the first Tuesday of every month, 3 to 7 p.m., along the medical center’s Davis Ave. entrance, off of Route 33, in Neptune City, NJ. We also offer the Car Seat Safety Checkpoint at Hackensack University Medical Center in the Helena Theurer Pavilion building the third Tuesday of every month from 3.pm. to 7pm. No appointment necessary.
For more information, call Patricia Bonatakis, PT, DPT, Pediatric Trauma Injury Prevention coordinator at 732-776-3463, or email her at patriciaa.bonatakis@hmhn.org. Jersey Shore University Medical Center is Monmouth and Ocean counties’ only Level I Adult and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
1945 Route 33
Neptune, NJ 07753
Hackensack University Medical Center
59 2nd Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Why Choose Hackensack Meridian Health
- Our hospitals are repeatedly recognized: Six HMH hospitals earned the “High Performing” designation in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-25 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care
- First hospital in the nation to receive The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal for Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care at Hackensack University Medical Center
- Fully staffed, 24/7 specialty teams including obstetricians, pediatricians, anesthesiologists and magnet-recognized labor & delivery nurses
- Family-centered birthing environments, lactation support and virtual parent-education programs
- Integrated care across women’s health, maternal-fetal medicine, neonatology and postpartum support for seamless experiences
