Choosing where to deliver your baby is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during pregnancy. At University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC), mothers can feel confident knowing they are delivering at the region’s only Baby-Friendly® hospital, designated by Baby-Friendly USA.
What “Baby-Friendly®” Really Means
The Baby-Friendly designation isn’t a title hospitals give themselves. It is awarded after a rigorous on-site review process. UMC earned this recognition by meeting strict standards based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, evidence-based practices that help mothers start and continue breastfeeding.
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is a worldwide program sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. In the United States, only 338 hospitals and birth centers hold this designation, and just 16 are in Texas. UMC is the only designated facility west of the I-35 corridor in Texas.
For mothers, this means:
- Staff trained to support breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact and rooming-in
- Education and hands-on guidance to build confidence
- Support for safe formula preparation and feeding when breastfeeding is not possible or chosen
Care That Keeps Mothers and Babies Together
UMC follows a Mother-Baby Couplet Care model, meaning mothers and babies stay together in the same room throughout the hospital stay. Research shows that keeping mom and baby together:
- Strengthens bonding
- Supports breastfeeding success
- Helps build the baby’s immunity
- Promotes early learning of feeding and care rhythms
If a mother is unable to provide immediate skin-to-skin contact, UMC encourages “kangaroo care,” allowing a father or family member to provide that close contact until mom is ready.
Unique Services:
- Breastfeeding Support: UMC has IBCLC-certified lactation consultants available during your hospital stay and in outpatient clinics. These registered nurses have advanced training in lactation services and can meet with mothers before delivery or after going home.
- Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC): UMC is the only hospital in El Paso that offers women the option of a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). Experienced OB providers are available for VBAC deliveries and vaginal twin births. Mothers interested in VBAC are encouraged to discuss this option with their provider during prenatal visits.
- Personalized Pain Management: Board-certified anesthesiologists are on-site 24/7, including for epidural services. UMC also offers a Certified Nurse-Midwifery program, giving mothers additional choices for their care team.
Advanced Care When It Matters Most
UMC features the region’s first Level IV Maternal Care designation—the highest level of maternal care available. For high-risk pregnancies, Board-Certified Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists provide advanced monitoring and management of conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm labor.
If a newborn requires specialized care, UMC partners with El Paso Children’s Hospital, located in the same building. The hospital provides the highest level of Neonatal Intensive Care services, staffed 24/7 by Board-Certified neonatologists.
This integrated approach ensures both mother and baby have immediate access to advanced care when needed.
Stay connected with UMC’s events, initiatives and community recognitions. Visit umcelpaso.org to learn more, register for upcoming events, or celebrate our latest achievements.
