Dr. Jay Lupin, Medical Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Stephanie Porricelli, Director of Nursing
in Maternal-Child Health, answer key questions about the White Plains Hospital delivery experience and explain how the hospital has raised the bar in maternity care.
What is the staff like and what maternity services does White Plains Hospital provide?
at White Plains Hospital
“Here at White Plains Hospital, we all work together toward the same goal—a healthy mom and a healthy baby,” says Dr. Lupin. White Plains Hospital offers obstetricians, maternal-fetal specialists, 24/7 anesthesiology coverage, award-winning Magnet nurses (this designation signifies excellence in nursing), and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for babies 25 weeks and up, if needed, providing comprehensive care for ill or premature newborns.
Team-based, one-on-one care
At White Plains Hospital, expectant mothers receive personalized, one-on-one care directly from the experienced interdisciplinary care team including Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists and OB-GYN staff including attending physicians, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, neonatologists, specialty certified nurses, and lactation nurses.
The Hospital is focused on ensuring a collaborative, family-friendly, memorable experience. “We have an excellent nurse navigator, who will reach out to the patient to prepare the patient and family for what to expect and when they should come to the Hospital,” Dr. Lupin explains.
Exceptional care for baby and mom
The Hospital is renowned for its exceptional maternity and newborn care. The nursing staff is specialty certified in Obstetric, Electronic Fetal Monitoring, Maternal Newborn Nursing, Lactation, and Neonatal Nursing, notes Porricelli.
This focus on excellence in specialty nursing serves as a point of distinction from other hospitals in the surrounding areas, Porricelli says.
In addition, there are dedicated nurses who are lactation-certified by the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), the highest credential possible for lactation.
How does the Hospital support various birth plans?
Porricelli greatly values her team’s unwavering dedication to listening to the patient and collaborating with families on their desired birth plan.
Some patients may desire an unmedicated delivery while others prefer forms of pain management such as:
- Epidural
- Nitrous oxide
- Other medication options
“We are committed to respecting and supporting individual birth preferences. It is a real partnership between our care team and our patient and family,” she says.
How are the family members included in award-winning care?
For expectant parents with questions ranging from childbirth concerns to newborn care, White Plains Hospital offers prenatal in-person classes in:
- Baby basics
- Childbirth education
- Breastfeeding preparation
White Plains Hospital is designed with patient comfort, privacy, and family bonding at its core.
The newly renovated maternity unit features 24 private rooms with en-suite showers, giving new moms the space they need to recover and bond with their newborns.
After delivery, rooming-in with your newborn is encouraged to support family bonding and successful breastfeeding, while the expert staff teach the necessary skills that enable mothers to care for themselves and their newborns.
Partners are welcome to stay throughout the entire experience, from delivery to discharge, ensuring a continuous support system. A 24/7 staffed nursery is available when rest is needed. Siblings and other family members are welcome to visit and share in the joy
How busy is the maternity unit?
In 2024, White Plains Hospital delivered 2,300 babies. In the past few years, the Hospital’s volume of deliveries has increased by 15–20%, despite the birth rate declining within Westchester County.
“White Plains Hospital has become the hospital of choice for labor and delivery and maternity care in the Westchester and Fairfield County areas,” explains Porricelli. Her unit has received the highest rating of five stars for patient experience. She attributes that high rating to the education and personalized care patients receive when they’re in the Hospital, their preparation for bringing baby home, and the communication and responsiveness from the medical staff throughout their visit.
The White Plains Hospital Difference
White Plains Hospital is designated a baby-friendly hospital by Baby-Friendly USA, which means the Hospital upholds the highest standards in infant feeding care and breastfeeding support for new mothers.
A newborn photographer is available onsite to capture baby’s first moments and a complimentary photo is provided upon discharge.
Delivering a baby is an exciting milestone, so why not celebrate with a feast? The special menu for new parents includes roasted tenderloin, Broiled lobster tail and either milkshakes, tiramisu, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.
Post-discharge, the Hospital offers a free in-person follow-up lactation visit for any mother who wants extra support with breastfeeding. “This is not always done at other hospitals, but we feel it is so important to provide comprehensive support for our new mothers post-discharge,” adds Porricelli.
White Plains Hospital partners with the NY Milk Bank to enable us to offer donor milk to support a mother and baby in their breastfeeding journey.
As your family leaves the labor and delivery department, you are invited to ring the bell. A gentle lullaby will play, celebrating your baby's arrival and marking the special transition from Labor & Delivery to your Mother/Baby stay.
Learn more about White Plains Hospital's Maternity Services and watch our virtual video below to find out more about our facilities.