Birthing Center

Canandaigua - FF Thompson Hospital

The experiences of childbirth and parenting will provide some of the most memorable times of your life. The goal of the F.F. Thompson Hospital Birthing Center is to make this special event as exciting and rewarding as possible.

 Our staff is devoted to a flexible, family-centered maternity care program. The private suite where you labor, deliver, recover and spend your post-partum stay is homelike and welcoming. While in the Birthing Center, our highly skilled nurses provide care throughout your labor and birth as well as during your post-delivery stay. 

The Birthing Center at F.F. Thompson Hospital is renowned for its high-quality medical care and skilled professionals.

• Holds Advanced Perinatal Care Certification from The Joint Commission, which recognizes exceptional patient-centered care for mothers and newborns. The Joint Commission is the premier health-care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation.
• Holds Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care designation for evidence-based, patient-centered care as well as cost efficiency.
• Recognized repeatedly for:
  • Teamwork, collaboration, and communication with patients.
  • A consistently low primary cesarean rate
  • A consistently high breastfeeding rate
  • Exemplary lactation support

Breastfeeding Support

Each new mother and baby is unique, deserving special attention to ensure a successful breastfeeding experience. The nursing and medical staff at F.F. Thompson Hospital’s Birthing Center have years of experience in maternal/infant nursing and breastfeeding education. Our certified lactation consultant is available seven days a week while you are in the hospital and by phone or appointment after you return home.

The Birthing Center supports each woman's decision to breastfeed. Their goal is to assist breastfeeding moms by providing education about breastfeeding's many benefits, initiating and maintaining the breastfeeding process and infant nutrition.
A certified lactation consultant is available to provide breastfeeding support services upon request from patients, nursing and medical staff. You may make as many lactation appointments with us as needed. In addition, you do not have to deliver your baby at Thompson Hospital in order to meet with our lactation consultant; all mothers are welcome to use our services.

To make an appointment to see a lactation consultant, call (585) 396-6295.

Birthing Classes

If this is your first baby or even if not, you probably have lots of questions and that is normal. We are here to help you. Thompson Health offers a wide variety of online classes to prepare and educate expectant mothers, first-time mothers and family members. We hope that our classes will help you during this exciting time in your family’s life.

 You do not need to deliver your baby at F.F. Thompson Hospital in order to participate in these classes. For more information, or to sign up for the classes below, please call 585-396-6497.

Understanding Birth:
Take a class at your own time and pace! This interactive online course covers essential information on labor and more and highlights ways partners can help. Allow 6-8 hours to complete. (Cost: $80)

 Understanding Natural Childbirth Techniques:
This interactive online course builds on what you have already learned in a standard childbirth preparation class. Allow 3-4 hours to complete. (Cost: $45)

 Understanding Your Newborn:
This interactive online course covers essential information for the first six weeks and beyond. Allow 2-3 hours to complete. (Cost: $45)

 Understanding Breastfeeding:
This interactive online course covers the essentials of breastfeeding, including clear animation and plenty of video examples. Allow 2-3 hours to complete. (Cost: $45)

 We also offer a Breastfeeding Zoom class with a certified lactation consultant the 1st Thursday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost for this Zoom class is $10.

 Understanding Postpartum Health and Baby Care:
This interactive online course covers essential information for the first two weeks after birth, including taking care of yourself, caring for your newborn, and feeding your baby. Allow about 2 hours to complete. (Cost: $45)

 Understanding Infant and Child Safety:
Learn life-saving information by taking this online safety class! (Cost: $45)

Please check this page for updated COVID visitor restrictions. 

 All visitors must check in to the front desk in the hospital lobby to receive a pass to allow them to enter the Birthing Center. After hours, you must report to the security desk by the Emergency Department to receive a pass. It’s important to remind all visitors to check in at the Nurse's Station before entering a patient's room.  If a friend or family member is not sure what room the mother is in, the nurses will be glad to let you know the room and if she is ready to see visitors.