Mother-Baby Health
 | Key Takeaways |
- El Camino Health provides award-winning maternity care in Mountain View and Los Gatos, with private birthing suites, on-site NICUs and personalized support for every family.
- Preregistration, hospital packing lists, birth recorder services and visitor guidelines help your family prepare for a smooth, stress-free labor and delivery.
- Doulas, midwives, personalized birth preferences and flexible meal options give you more choices for a comfortable birth and hospital stay.
Doula Directory
If you’re looking for extra support during labor, you may want to work with a doula. Doulas are trained professionals who can guide you through breathing techniques, labor positions and comfort measures to help make labor more manageable. While doulas are not employed by El Camino Health and don’t provide medical care, many mothers choose to include them in their birth plan.
While this list is intended to give you a head start in finding a doula that’s right for you, you’re not limited to the doulas listed here. This list does not represent endorsement by El Camino Health. Please note payment is made directly through the doula, either out of pocket or through insurance.
See Doula Directory
Susan Boehnlein 408-348-3949 doulasusan@gmail.com | Czarina Bowers 408-883-5177 svdoulas@gmail.com svdoulas.com |
Paula Calhoun 408-761-5876 paula@deliverydoula.com deliverydoula.com | Shannon Cath 415-871-1135 shannoncathdoula@gmail.com circleofjoybirth.com/ |
Madrone Cerelli Based in Santa Cruz 831-566-1167 blessedbirth@gmail.com blessedbirth.net | Stephanie Freeman 408-883-5177 svdoulas@gmail.com svdoulas.com |
Mari Frietas 650-245-8290 doulabymari@gmail.com doulabymari.com | Cat Gieser cat@mamaflowstudio.com |
Caren Hespeler 408-655-4523 heartworkbirthservices.com | Lori Ismail earlyadvantagebirth.com |
Stephanie Mollinier 408-504-5972 birth@stephaniedoula.com stephaniedoula.com | Christine Vermeersch 408-912-6299 healinghandsdoula.com |
Maternity Suites and Safety
We want your labor, delivery and recovery to be as safe and comfortable as possible. Our Mountain View and Los Gatos maternity units offer spacious, private birthing suites with amenities designed for you, your baby and your support person.
Birthing Suite Amenities
Every birthing suite includes:
Adjustable patient bed
In-room labor support equipment, including peanut balls
Medical equipment ready and available in-room
Private bathroom with shower and personal care items
Private room with natural light and large windows
Pull-out bed for your partner or support person
Television and phone
Wireless patient monitoring so you can move freely
After delivery, you’ll transition to a private recovery room in our mother-baby unit, where we encourage bonding and breastfeeding.
Safety and Security
Your baby’s safety is our priority. We offer multiple layers of protection, including:
ID bands. You, your baby and your partner receive matching identification bands. People without bands aren’t allowed to transport your baby or enter the NICU.
Infant tagging system. Your baby wears a special security band that alerts us if they leave the unit.
Security cameras and locked doors. Alarmed doors and 24/7 monitored cameras protect maternity areas.
Staff protocols. You’ll receive clear instructions on how to identify authorized staff and who can transport your baby.
Maternity Preregistration
Your delivery day should be about welcoming your baby, not worrying about logistics. By preregistering for your maternity admission at our Mountain View or Los Gatos hospitals, you can save time at check-in, reduce stress and ensure our care team has everything ready when you arrive.
When Should I Preregister for Delivery?
We recommend preregistering between 24 and 30 weeks of pregnancy so our staff has time to process your information, verify insurance and prepare for your admission.
How Do I Preregister Online?
To register online:
- Log in to or register for myCare.
- Select “Register for My Delivery” from the menu.
- Verify your personal and insurance information.
- Complete the maternity questionnaire and click Submit. Once submitted, you’ll see “Upcoming Delivery Confirmation” on your screen. Our registration team will send you a confirmation email once they have received and reviewed your information.
If you’re having trouble preregistering online, or you prefer to register by phone, call our support team at 650-940-7111 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
What Information Do I Need to Preregister?
You’ll need to provide your:
- Due date
- Emergency contact details
- Insurance information
- Obstetrician or midwife’s name*
- Pediatrician’s name*
- Preferred delivery hospital (Mountain View or Los Gatos)
- Preferred pharmacy address
*First and last names needed.
Birthing Preferences
We want you to have the birth experience you’re hoping for while keeping you and your baby safe. You’ll work with your care team to complete a Birth Preference sheet — a simple guide to your wishes during labor, delivery and postpartum care.
This document gives you space to note your preferences, including:
-
Feeding methods for your baby
-
Immediate skin-to-skin contact after delivery
-
Labor positions and comfort measures
-
Pain management options
Bring your completed preferences with you to the hospital and share them with your delivery team. Our providers will review your choices, discuss any questions and work with you to support the experience you’ve planned.
Suggested Hospital Packing List
As you get closer to your due date, packing a hospital bag can help you feel more prepared and comfortable. Don’t worry if you forget something — we provide many of the essentials you’ll need, including:
- Additional bedding and towels for your partner
- Baby care products (diapers, formula and blankets)
- Breast pumps and breastfeeding gowns
- Postpartum care products
Below are some items you may want to bring with you.
What Should I Bring to the Hospital for Delivery?
- Birth Preferences sheet
- Comfortable pillow and blanket
- Going-home outfit with a front-opening top to make breastfeeding easier
- Identification and insurance cards
- A robe
- Nonperishable snacks
- Nursing bras
- Personal care items:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Hairbrush and hair ties
- Moisturizer
- Deodorant
- Lip balm
- Phone and charger
- Slippers
What Should My Partner Pack?
- Change of clothes
- Comfortable pillow and blanket
- Refillable water bottle
- Toiletries
What Should I Pack for My Baby?
- Baby blanket for going home
- Going-home outfit
- New infant car seat (required by California law to go home)
Please note: Do not bring formula from home. For safety reasons, outside formula cannot be used in the hospital.
Meal Options
Good nutrition is an important part of your recovery after childbirth. Our menu includes a wide variety of options to fit your taste and dietary needs. We can accommodate gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, lactose-intolerant and diabetic diets. Please share any dietary restrictions with your care team upon admission, so we can prepare your meals accordingly. We’ll also provide water and healthy snacks throughout the day.
If you’d prefer food from outside the hospital, you can order meal delivery services.
Birth Recorder
Paperwork may be the last thing on your mind after giving birth, but we’re here to make the process as simple as possible.
Our birth recorder visits you after your baby’s arrival to help complete the birth certificate process. They’ll finalize the paperwork before you leave and submit the information to the county on your behalf. You’ll also learn how to order copies for your personal records. If you have questions about your baby’s birth certificate, call the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, Vital Records and Registration at 408-299-5688.
We can also help you begin the process of applying for your baby’s Social Security number, which typically arrives by mail within eight weeks. For questions, call the U.S. Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213.
First Day Photo
If you’d like to capture your baby’s earliest moments, we partner with First Day Photo for professional newborn photography right in your maternity suite. To learn more or schedule a session, visit their website or text 800-770-1926.
You may also choose to bring your own private photographer. Please note that while your photographer is with you, they count as one of your visitors.
People Also Ask
What classes or hospital tours are available before delivery?
We offer a wide range of prenatal classes covering childbirth, newborn care and more. You can also take a maternity tour at our Mountain View or Los Gatos campus to familiarize yourself with the birthing suites before delivery. Register for a virtual tour or class.
Can I choose between a midwife and an obstetrician for my delivery?
Depending on your care preferences and medical needs, you may work with an obstetrician or a certified nurse midwife. These experts collaborate closely with the rest of the maternity care team to keep you and your baby safe.
Does El Camino Health have a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)?
Yes. Both the Mountain View and Los Gatos hospitals offer on-site NICUs. Specialists in these units provide advanced care if your newborn needs extra support after birth.
How many support people can be with me during labor and delivery?
See our Visitors Information for the most up-to-date guidelines.
What postpartum support is available after leaving the hospital?
We offer lactation services, support groups, educational resources and referrals for additional care as needed.