Preparing for the Big Event

Expectant moms and dads can learn all about pregnancy, delivery, and baby care through our childbirth education classes offered year round at Watsonville Community Hospital. You will learn about changes in the expectant mother’s body, how the baby grows, and what happens when your baby decides to make his or her debut.  Breastfeeding classes help get you off to a good start after birth.  Every class includes a tour of our birthing center.

If you are not planning to take a class but want a tour, please call 831-724-4741 ext 1402.

Your Hospital Stay

We know those first few days with your newborn are filled with new experiences—and we’re here to support you every step of the way. During your stay, our caring team of nurses will help you feel confident in caring for your baby, from feeding and diapering to knowing when to call your doctor.

As a Baby-Friendly designated hospital, certified by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, we are committed to helping every family get the healthiest start. Our nurses and lactation consultants provide hands-on breastfeeding support, answer your questions, and take the time to make sure you feel comfortable and cared for.

If breastfeeding isn’t possible right away, we also offer donor human milk—a safe, evidence-based alternative especially important for premature or medically fragile infants. Our donor milk is provided by Mother’s Milk Bank California, which follows strict screening and pasteurization guidelines to ensure safety while preserving important nutrients and immune-supporting properties.

At every step, we’re here to support you with compassionate care, trusted expertise, and thoughtful resources to help you and your baby thrive.

As you prepare to welcome your little one, there’s so much to think about—but one of the most powerful ways you can support your baby’s health (and your own!) is through good nutrition. What you eat during pregnancy and in the early days of parenthood lays the groundwork for a lifetime of well-being.

To make that easier, we’re proud to offer Nourish, our on-site fresh market created just for you. A partnership between Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation and Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County, Nourish was designed to promote wellness by giving pre- and post-natal women access to fresh, local, and nutritious food.

All new parents are welcome to stop by Nourish before or after delivery and take home a bag or two of fresh groceries—on us. Because feeding your family should be simple, supportive, and stress-free… especially when you have so much else to focus on.

You’re Not Alone—Join Our New Parent Support Group

Welcoming a new baby is an incredible experience—but it also comes with a lot of questions, changes, and emotions. That’s why we invite you (and your support person and baby) to join our Baby Talk Support Group, created especially for families with newborns.

This friendly, judgment-free space is a great way to get breastfeeding guidance from our experienced lactation nurses, ask questions about your baby’s development, and simply connect with other new moms and dads who are going through the same journey. If needed, one of our occupational therapists is also available to offer additional support.

Whether you’re looking for advice, encouragement, or just a place to share stories and smiles, this group, offered in conjunction with Community Bridges WIC Program, is here for you. We’d love for you to stop by and experience the connection and care firsthand!

When: Every THURSDAY 1pm-3pm in our outpatient lactation department on the second floor of the hospital.

Our birth center is award-winning

Certified Baby-Friendly

Baby-Friendly designation means that Watsonville Community Hospital has gone through a rigorous review process and site visit with Baby-Friendly USA, an initiative created by the World Health Organization and UNICEF to encourage hospitals all over the world to promote health feeding choices for infants. It means supporting moms who wish to breastfeed is a high priority for us. We have designated RN lactation specialists, breastfeeding peer counselors and occupational therapists who all work to support new moms, both at the time of delivery and in a support group moms and dads can attend for free follwing the birth of their baby. More information can be found here.

California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) Awards

Recognizing hospitals for dedication and commitment to quality improvement.

Quality and Sustainability Award: NTSV Cesarean Birth Rate (PC-02) Awarded to hospitals that met and maintained the World Health Organization’s Healthy People 2030 target rates for Cesarean Birth (PC-02) measure for three consecutive years, 2021-2023. View certificate.

Maternal Data Center (MDC) Superstar Award: Small Birth Volume HospitalsAwarded to hospitals with fewer than 1,000 annual births (we deliver over 800 babies every year) that exhibited high levels of engagement in the Maternal Data Center (MDC). View certificate.