Low-intervention birth at Ascension Seton

The birth of a baby is not only a medical experience, it’s also deeply personal. At the new Ascension Seton Women’s Hospital in Austin, Texas, opening June 29, 2026, women will have access to thoughtfully designed low-intervention birth suites that support a personalized birth experience in a calm, comfortable setting, while remaining connected to the advanced care and resources of a hospital.

“For women who are medically appropriate candidates, low-intervention birth offers a more personalized approach to labor and delivery,” said Dr. Natasya Ikbal, OB-GYN at Ascension Seton. “Many women want the freedom to move, labor, and deliver with fewer interventions, while still having access to the expertise and resources of a hospital should their needs change.

What is a low-intervention birth?

Low-intervention birth is intended for patients with lower-risk pregnancies who plan to labor without an epidural and with minimal medical intervention.

This doesn’t mean less care — it is care personalized to the patient’s preferences and clinical needs.

Patients are typically evaluated by their provider during pregnancy to determine if they are a candidate. Factors like overall health, pregnancy risk level and gestational age all play a role.

Preparation is also key. Patients are encouraged to talk with their provider early, take prenatal or childbirth classes and discuss their birth plan ahead of time.

Low-intervention birth suites support comfort

Ascension Seton Women’s Hospital will feature six low-intervention birth suites, each designed to support comfort and mobility during labor.

These rooms include:

• Adjustable lighting and music, creating a calm, welcoming space for labor, delivery, and bonding with their new baby
• Birthing tools like balls, bars and stools
• Labor tubs to help manage pain and promote relaxation
• Larger spaces to allow walking and movement
• Showers with handheld shower heads for comfort
• Wireless and intermittent monitoring when appropriate

The environment intentionally nurtures a calmer and less clinical space, helping patients focus on the labor process.

Low-intervention birth with advanced care nearby

For many women considering a birth center or home birth, these suites offer a unique middle ground.

“We support birth, period,” said Amanda Cobb, Ascension Seton Women’s Hospital Director of Perinatal Services. “Whatever birth looks like for the individual, we want to respect autonomy while providing a safe, supportive environment with as much or as little assistance as she needs.”

Patients can labor in a more personalized, low-intervention setting while maintaining immediate access to advanced maternal and newborn care should the need arise. Ascension Seton Women’s Hospital is home to Level IV maternal care, the highest level of maternity care available, and a Level III Dell Children’s NICU. Families also benefit from the expertise of Dell Children’s Medical Center, including access to a Level IV NICU and a full-service children’s hospital just minutes away.

“For women who want a lower-intervention birth experience, these suites provide the best of both worlds,” Cobb said. “You can labor in an environment designed around comfort, movement and personal choice, while knowing that highly specialized care is available at a moment’s notice if needed.”

A care team trained to support your birth goals

Supporting low-intervention birth requires a specialized, team-based approach.

Nurses at Ascension Seton Women’s Hospital receive additional training focused on supporting physiologic labor, including comfort measures, labor positioning, movement techniques, and intermittent monitoring when clinically appropriate. These approaches help women navigate labor while honoring their individual birth preferences.

The hospital is also expanding access to midwifery services and welcoming doulas as valued members of the care team, helping provide additional support throughout labor, delivery and the postpartum experience.

“We want every woman to feel seen, heard, and safe when they are here,” Cobb said. “Our goal is to create an environment where women feel empowered in their birth experience and supported every step of the way.”

Advanced maternity care when needs change

Even with the best planning, labor and delivery can be unpredictable. One of the biggest advantages of delivering in a hospital setting is the ability to quickly respond if circumstances change.

If additional monitoring, pain management or medical intervention becomes necessary, care teams at Ascension Seton can respond without delay. Operating rooms, anesthesia services, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, and neonatologists are all available within the hospital, ensuring seamless access to advanced care for both mother and baby. 

“To be able to tailor your experience the way you want it in a safe environment is key,” said Shannon Martinez, Ascension Seton Women’s Hospital Associate Chief Nursing Officer. “The new Women’s Hospital was designed to provide women and families with a state-of-the-art environment that supports a wide range of birth experiences, all within the safety of a leading women’s and newborn care destination.”

A destination for maternity care in Austin

The addition of low-intervention birth suites reflects a broader commitment to meeting the diverse needs of women and families in Central Texas.

From high-risk pregnancies to low-intervention births, Ascension Seton Women’s Hospital is dedicated to support the full spectrum of maternity care — together for every step.

For Dr. Ikbal, that balance is what matters most. “Yes, it is a beautiful new space,” she said. “But what matters most is what is within it — providing exceptional care for both mom and baby, with safety always at the center of everything we do.”

Discover maternity care at Ascension Seton

Every pregnancy is unique, and your birth experience should reflect your needs, preferences and health goals.

If you’re expecting or planning for pregnancy, talk with your OB-GYN or maternity care provider about whether a low-intervention birth may be right for you.

To learn more about maternity care, find a provider or explore your options at the upcoming Ascension Seton Women’s Hospital, visit ascension.org/SetonBaby.