New Mother Baby Unit enhances postpartum care at UK HealthCare
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 26, 2026) — UK HealthCare is opening the new Mother Baby Unit, a thoughtfully designed space created to support healing, bonding and relaxation of postpartum patients.
Located on the ninth floor of the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital Pavilion A, the opening of the new unit kicks off a multi-phase renovation project of the Birthing Center, culminating in comfortable, supportive spaces for every phase of a patient’s birthing journey.
“Healing after childbirth takes time, and the right environment can make all the difference,” said Emily DeFranco, D.O., chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the UK College of Medicine. “Every detail of this unit was intentionally designed to offer patients a calm, restorative space that supports the healing process — from physical recovery to emotional wellbeing and family bonding.”
Features of the new Mother Baby Unit include:
- 20 private postpartum rooms: spacious, comfortable rooms with showers and a sleeping area for the patient’s support person.
- Newborn nursery: a dedicated space for infants who need additional monitoring or care, or a quiet place to stay while parents rest and recover.
- Infant care and procedure room: a private space where infants receive necessary care and procedures while remaining close to their parent and care team.
- Family nourishment station: a convenient area where patients and families can access water, coffee and light refreshments to stay nourished during their stay.
- Staff workspaces: dedicated workspace for lactation consultants, social workers and other patient support staff.
The average postpartum stay is two days. For first-time families, specially trained staff will provide education on recognizing hunger cues, both breast and formula-feeding, along with other aspects of newborn care. Every afternoon, the staff enforces a quiet period. They dim overhead lights and ask visitors to silence their cellphones, allowing patients to enjoy time with their baby or to rest without the interruption of the hospital staff.
“This new unit is just the beginning,” said DeFranco. “As we continue to grow and expand our obstetric facilities, our focus remains on creating welcoming, healing environments that support families at every stage of delivery and recovery.”
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.