Welcoming a baby into the world is one of life’s most exciting moments – and at Cooper University Health Care, we’re honored to be a part of it. As designated Regional Perinatal Center, Cooper offers advanced care, private accommodations, and family-centered services to support you and your baby every step of the way.
Personalized Prenatal Care and Education
Your journey begins with comprehensive prenatal care tailored to your needs. At our Antepartum Diagnostic Center (ADC), our expert team performs ultrasound imaging, non-stress testing, biophysical profiles, amniocentesis, and genetic counseling in a calm, supportive setting.
To help you prepare for childbirth, we offer a variety of childbirth and family education programs, including live, virtual classes you can participate in from the comfort of your home. A one-time cost of $50 includes live webinars on labor, breastfeeding, postpartum, and infant care.
For more information on our childbirth class series, please contact our Lactation team at 856.342.3283.
Labor and Delivery
At Cooper, we focus on family-centered birth experiences in a setting that combines comfort and advanced care. Whether your pregnancy is low-or high-risk our Labor and Delivery Unit is equipped to handle your needs with skill and compassion. We offer:
- Six private labor and delivery rooms
- A designated isolation labor room
- Three triage rooms
- Two operating rooms
- 24/7 anesthesia coverage
- A family waiting area
You’ll receive care from a primary nursing team, meaning that as much as possible, the same nurse will care for you during your stay in Labor and Delivery. Whether you deliver vaginally or by caesarean section, your care is provided in one location – no need to move to a different part of the hospital.
When to come to the hospital:
- Your pregnancy is full term, and contractions are 5 minutes apart for 1 hour, lasting 30-40 seconds
- Your water breaks, even without contractions (this could be either a gush of fluid or a small dribble)
- You notice bright red bleeding
- You see a “bloody show” or “mucus plug” – but only need to call if contractions or water breaking occur
Do not eat solid food once labor starts. You may have clear fluids or hard candy to help stay hydrated.
When you arrive at the hospital, go to the Emergency Department.
Maternal Fetal Care Unit (MFCU)
The Maternal Fetal Care Unit provides expert care for patients with medical conditions like diabetes or complicated pregnancies like premature labor. This nine-bed unit support both patients before and after delivery with personalized teaching, video, and written resources.
Maternal/Infant Unit
After delivery, you’ll stay in the Maternal/Infant Unit, where you and your baby can bond in a welcoming and family-friendly environment. Each rooms includes sleeping accommodations for a support person and extended visiting hours are available for designated family members, including siblings. The unit also features a family lounge, which provides a comfortable setting for visitors.
Our nurses and lactation consultants are available to support your recovery and guide you in newborn care and breastfeeding, if desired. Our goal is to make your transition into your new family life as smooth and joyful as possible.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
As a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Cooper can provide the highest level of care for infants who need it. With 25 intensive care beds, two isolation nurseries, and a nine-bed transitional nursery, our nurseries are equipped to care for babies born early or with medical conditions. Many infants are transported here from other hospitals for specialized care.
A team of neonatologists, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, a newborn clinical specialist, pediatricians, and pediatric residents is available around the clock. Once your baby no longer needs intensive care, they may move to our transitional nursery or back to your local hospital. Infants in the transitional nursery still require special care, with the focus on preparing them to go home.
Families are welcome in the NICU 24/7, and our "nesting room" allows you to spend the night with your baby before discharge to learn about any special care your baby may need at home.
Aftercare and Support at Home
As your new family adjusts, Cooper continues to support you. We are a mid-Atlantic training center for the Newborn Individualized Development Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP), which helps tailor care to your baby’s needs. As part of this program, child development specialists observe an infant during caregiving to assess the baby’s health and ability to interact with the environment and his or her caregiver. This information is then used to recommend caregiving instructions and tips for the child’s development.
When you and your baby are ready for discharge, a case manager and home care coordinator will work with you and your insurance provider to ensure a smooth transition home. Follow-up support may include:
- Phone check-ins
- Nursing visits through the Maternal-Child Ambulatory Care Clinic
- Medication and developmental care through our Neonatal Follow-up Clinic (up to age 5)
Transport Services
In rare cases where a mother or newborn needs urgent transfer to our Level II facility, Cooper provides emergency medical transport services 24/7. Our trained transport teams ensure patients arrive safely and receive immediate specialized care.
Staff You May Meet
Throughout your stay at Cooper, you and your baby will be cared for by a dedicated team of professionals, each brining specialized training, expertise, and compassion to support you and your baby’s health and well-being. Here’s who you may meet:
- Neonatologists – Our attending physicians, called neonatologists, are pediatricians with advanced training in caring for sick and premature babies. A neonatologist is in the hospital at all times and is responsible for your baby’s care in the NICU.
- Nurses – Our skilled and knowledgeable nursing staff will care for you throughout your hospital stay. These nurses work closely with clinical nurse specialists to provide expert care and are available around the clock to ensure your comfort and to answer any questions you may have.
- Clinical nurse specialists – The perinatal and neonatal clinical nurse specialists have advanced degrees in high-risk obstetrical and neonatal nursing. They are available for consultation and education for both patients and nursing staff.
- Residents – Cooper University Hospital has a residency program in both Obstetrics/Gynecology and Pediatrics. These physicians are in the hospital 24/7 and work closely with your doctor and the baby's doctor to care for you and your family.
- Clinical nurse managers – There are clinical nurse managers for both obstetrical services and newborn services. They oversee care and are responsible for helping ensure the highest quality of care for you and your baby.
- Genetic counselors – Genetic counselors work with individuals or families who may be at increased risk for an abnormal pregnancy outcome. They provide information, counseling, and support, and may recommend testing or help interpret medical information. When needed, they can connect families with community resources focused on specific genetic conditions.
- Lactation consultant – A full-time breastfeeding specialist is available to support all families interested in, earning more about breastfeeding. Services include hospital visits, education, referrals to community resources, breast pump rental information, and follow-up phone calls.
- Pastoral care – Clergy of various faiths are available through the Pastoral Care office. A team of ordained and lay volunteers regularly visits hospital units, and a non-denominational chapel is located on the hospital’s main floor.
- Perinatal educator – The perinatal educator coordinates childbirth and family education activities. For patients on extended bed rest, additional educational resources such as individual childbirth education classes, videos, audio tapes, and reading materials are available.
- Respiratory therapists – Respiratory therapists specialize in providing respiratory treatments and managing any oxygen or ventilator equipment your baby may need.