Labor & Delivery

A Message for Expecting Mothers

Preparing to welcome your baby is a special and meaningful time. At ChristianaCare, we are honored to care for you and your family and remain committed to providing high‑quality, compassionate care every step of the way.

We have important information to share with you.

Full obstetric and pediatric services at Union Hospital are available Mondays at 8 a.m. through Wednesdays at 11:59 p.m. If you believe you are in labor or need care during these times, come to Union Hospital.

As of April 1, 2026, there will be limited obstetric and pediatric services offered at Union Hospital on Thursdays at 12:00 am to Mondays at 7:59 am.

Here’s what expectant women need to know:

If you believe you are in labor, and it’s any day between Thursdays at 12:00 am and Mondays at 7:59 am, you are encouraged to go directly to another hospital that offers labor and delivery services.
Women who do show up to Union Hospital on days with limited service will be evaluated and then if needed, transported to ChristianaCare’s Center for Women’s and Children’s Health at our Newark Campus.
If labor is imminent, the Union Hospital Obstetrics team will deliver the baby and then mom and baby will be transported to ChristianaCare’s Center for Women’s and Children’s Health at our Newark Campus for follow-up care.

Please know that our care teams are here to support you, answer your questions, and help you plan with confidence.

Why Are These Changes Happening?

Like many hospitals across the country, ChristianaCare is adjusting services to ensure care is supported by the right clinical teams and resources. These changes help us continue to provide high‑quality, reliable care for mothers and babies.

We understand this may feel unsettling, and we truly appreciate your understanding as we support families in our community.

How will my baby and I be transported if needed?

If a transfer is required, you and your baby will travel in separate medical vehicles, so each of you can receive specialized care.

Each vehicle has its own dedicated medical team.
Transfers are carefully coordinated.
Teams aim to depart at the same time whenever possible.

We know this may feel overwhelming, and we work hard to keep you and your baby as close as possible.

Can my support person stay?

Yes. At Christiana Hospital, in Newark, DE, a support person may stay with you. A sleeper sofa is provided.

Visiting hours at Christiana Hospital, in Newark, DE

9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily
Overnight allowed in Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, NICU, Pediatrics
Up to 2 support persons (age 16+) overnight
Children under 16 are allowed with supervision (except Labor & Delivery and NICU)

Will my doctors get my records?

Yes. Your OB/GYN and your baby’s pediatrician will receive your records after discharge.

Need Help or Have Questions?

We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please call Union OBGYN at 443‑245‑7377 if you have questions or need guidance.

About the Center for Women’s and Children’s Health

4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road
Newark, DE 19718

Parking

Free visitor parking in the garage in front of the hospital
Handicap parking on the first level
Electric vehicle charging on all levels
DART bus stop on the first level

Union Hospital is here to support you every step of the way

Thank you for planning ahead and allowing us to be a part of your baby’s arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

We see and hear those who have shared their thoughts about our recent announcement regarding a reduction in hours and staffing in our Labor and Delivery unit in Union Hospital. This is a challenging time and we’re continuing to put the health, safety and wellbeing of new moms and newborns first and foremost.

What happens if someone arrives in labor between Thursday morning and Sunday night?

Our focus is ensuring that expecting moms continue to receive safe, high-quality care, and we’re working closely with teams across the region to support access to services. Pediatric and obstetric services will continue to be provided at Union, but we can no longer provide them 24/7 at the level of care we insist on.

If a patient arrives in active labor, they are evaluated and cared for immediately. No one is turned away. If labor progresses quickly, delivery will occur at Union Hospital. A transfer to the main campus would only be considered if the patient is stable and there is time to safely transfer prior to delivery. When a transfer is needed, our care teams coordinate every aspect of the process, from transportation to a direct clinical handoff between teams, to ensure a safe and seamless transition for both mom and baby.

How will the transfer to the Newark Campus happen?

If a patient arrives in active labor, they are evaluated and cared for immediately, no one is turned away. If labor is progressing quickly, delivery will occur at Union Hospital.

A transfer to the Newark Campus would only be considered if the patient is stable and there is time to transfer prior to delivery. When a transfer is needed, our care teams coordinate every aspect of the process for both mom and baby.

Why is there a shortage of provider specialists?

This isn’t isolated. Health systems nationwide are navigating the same workforce challenge, especially in specialized areas like OB and pediatrics. It only takes a small number of vacancies in a specialty like OB to significantly impact coverage schedules.

Our leaders made a deliberate call to concentrate staffing during certain days so patients receive safe, high-quality care, not stretched resources. Full OB and pediatric services are still available part of the week.

Even during divert periods, clinical teams remain in place to assess, stabilize and support patients, with transfers coordinated as needed. This decision was made to protect care quality, provide appropriate staffing, and support caregivers during a national shortage.

I was planning to deliver at Union Hospital and want to speak with someone. Who should I contact?

We understand this news may be difficult to hear, especially during a time that can already feel busy, emotional and stressful for expectant parents and families. If you have questions or would like to talk through your options, please contact the Union OBGYN office at 443-245-7377.

Un mensaje para futuras madres

Prepararse para dar la bienvenida a su bebé es un momento especial y significativo. En ChristianaCare, es un honor cuidar de usted y de su familia y seguimos comprometidos a ofrecer cuidados con calidad y compasión en cada paso del camino.

Tenemos información importante que compartir con usted.

Los servicios completos de obstetricia y pediatría en el Union Hospital están disponibles de lunes a las 8:00 a.m. hasta los miércoles a las 11:59 de la noche. Si cree que está en labores de parto o necesita atención en estos momentos, vaya al Union Hospital.

A partir del 1 de abril de 2026, habrá servicios limitados de obstetricia y pediatría en Union Hospital de jueves a las 12 de la noche a lunes a las 7:59 de la mañana.

Esto es lo que las mujeres embarazadas deben saber:

Si cree que esta en labores de parto, y es cualquier momento entre jueves a las 12 de la noche y lunes a las 7:59 de la mañana es mejor que se dirija directamente a otro hospital que tenga servicios de partos y nacimientos.
Las mujeres que acudan a Union Hospital en días de servicio limitado serán evaluadas y, si es necesario, trasladadas al Centro de Salud de la Mujer y el Niño de ChristianaCare en nuestro campus de Newark.
Si el parto es inminente, el equipo de obstetricia del Union Hospital le ayudará en el parto y luego madre y bebé serán trasladados al Centro de Salud de la Mujer y el Niño de ChristianaCare en nuestro campus de Newark para recibir atención de seguimiento.

Por favor, tome en cuenta que nuestros equipos de atención están aquí para apoyarla, responder a sus preguntas y ayudarle a planificar con confianza.

¿Por qué están ocurriendo estos cambios?

Como muchos hospitales en todo el país, ChristianaCare está ajustando sus servicios para asegurarse que los cuidados sean realizados por los equipos clínicos y los recursos correctos. Estos cambios nos ayudan a seguir ofreciendo cuidados de alta calidad y compasión para madres y bebés.

Entendemos que esto puede resultar inquietante y verdaderamente agradecemos su comprensión mientras apoyamos a las familias de nuestra comunidad.

¿Cómo seremos transportados mi bebé y yo si es necesario?

Si es necesario un traslado, usted y su bebé viajaran en vehículos médicos separados, para que cada uno pueda recibir atención especializada.

Cada vehículo cuenta con su propio equipo médico dedicado.
Los traslados están cuidadosamente coordinados.
Los equipos intentan salir al mismo tiempo siempre que sea posible.

Sabemos que esto puede resultar abrumador, y trabajamos duro para manteneros lo más cerca posible a usted y de su bebé.

¿Puede quedarse mi persona de apoyo?

Sí. En el Hospital Christiana, en Newark, DE, puede quedarse una persona de apoyo con usted. Se dispone de un sofá cama.

Horario de visitas en el Christiana Hospital, en Newark, DE

9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. todos los días
Se permite la visita nocturna en Maternidad, UCI neonatal y Pediatría
Hasta 2 personas de apoyo (de 16+ años) durante la noche
Se permite la supervisión de niños menores de 16 años (excepto en Labor y Parto y UCIN)

¿Mis médicos conseguirán mis historiales?

Sí. Su ginecólogo obstetra y el pediatra de su bebé recibirán sus historiales tras el alta.

¿Necesita ayuda o tiene preguntas?

Estamos aquí para usted las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana. Por favor, llame a la ginecóloga sindical en 443 245 7377 si tiene preguntas o necesita orientación.

Acerca del Centro de Salud de la Mujer y el Niño