Comprehensive Emergency Care for Pregnancy and Postpartum
At Rochester Regional Health, our Obstetric Emergency Department (OB ED) is here for you 24/7, every day of the year. Staffed by board-certified OB/GYN doctors, this unit is located in the Labor and Delivery unit, so you’ll get specialized care as quickly as possible.
The OB ED is designed for anyone who is pregnant or several weeks postpartum and experiencing urgent concerns, including pregnancy complications or delivery-related issues. Our team works quickly to assess and care for both you and your baby, helping reduce wait times and the stress that often comes with visiting a traditional emergency room.
Specialized Care
In the OB ED, you’ll be cared for by our expert OB/GYN doctors and maternity specialists. With advanced training and experience in urgent pregnancy and postpartum concerns, our team provides the expert care you and your baby deserve.
Benefits of the OB ED
Having an on-site OB ED with 24/7 physician coverage means you get:
- Faster care for pregnancy concerns, labor, and postpartum issues in the first six weeks after delivery
- Seamless communication with your OB/GYN, even if they’re not at the hospital
- Thorough evaluations, including tests, reviews, and fetal heart rate monitoring
- Specialized care anytime, including evenings, nights, and early mornings when offices are closed
- Added safety and reassurance, with fewer return visits to the emergency room
When to Visit the OB ED
Our OB ED team can evaluate and treat a wide range of pregnancy and postpartum concerns, including, but not limited to*:
- Abdominal pain
- Vaginal bleeding
- Changes or decrease in your baby’s movements
- Signs of pre-term labor
- Ruptured membranes (“water breaking”)
- Urinary tract or bladder infections
- Complications from high-risk pregnancy (like high blood pressure)
- Postpartum issues such as heavy bleeding
This is a list of some of the most common concerns. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always best to get checked.
What to Do if You Need Care
If you can, call your OB/GYN provider before coming to the hospital. If you feel like it’s a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s important to talk with your OB/GYN provider about an emergency plan so you’ll know which symptoms may be warning signs. And remember: if you ever feel it could be life-threatening, call 911.
At most of our hospitals, patients should go directly to the Labor & Delivery Unit when arriving.
United Memorial Medical Center: Please check in first at the Main Emergency Department before being directed to Labor & Delivery.
- All other Rochester Regional Health hospitals with OB ED services: Proceed directly to the Labor & Delivery Unit.
Following these steps ensures you’re registered properly and can be seen as quickly as possible.
Most visits last about two to three hours. You’ll first receive an assessment from one of our highly trained obstetric nurses, followed by an evaluation from a board-certified OB/GYN provider. After a medical screening exam and any necessary testing, you will either be admitted to the hospital or discharged home.
All visits to the OB ED are billed as emergency department visits and are subject to your insurance plan’s copay, deductible, or co-insurance.
- If you have a copay plan or are unsure of your coverage, please contact your insurance carrier for details.
- If you have a high-deductible plan, you can request a patient estimate by calling (585) 922-COST (2678) or emailing patientestimate@rochesterregional.org.