If you're expecting a baby in South Central Pennsylvania, you're surrounded by a variety of hospital options—each with its own approach to maternity care. Whether you're looking for a quiet, low-intervention birth or want access to advanced medical support, this guide offers a simple overview of what local hospitals provide for labor and delivery.


If you have questions, be sure to ask the hospitals directly and TOUR EVERY POTENTIAL HOSPITAL, you may learn some things about each that push or pull you towards a specific one!

WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital is located right in town and offers a warm, family-centered experience. With four private labor and delivery suites and seven postpartum rooms, it’s designed to feel more like home than hospital. The newborn nursery includes 16 bassinets and 24/7 access to educational resources. Families can also take advantage of childbirth classes, sibling prep, and lactation support. If you’re looking for a quiet, close-to-home option with personalized care, Gettysburg is a solid choice.


I have personally toured Gettysburg, and will attend a birth there in November.   I have to say I am quite impressed with all that they have to offer.   These Labor & Delivery nurses are dedicated and are there to work for you!   There is a blow up labor pool you can use (they have fewer restrictions on their pools than some other hospitals), they have a station set that includes a sling/rope, a birth ball, and handles!   Not to mention peanut balls and birth balls.


This hospital is also doula friendly!   Meaning if you have a cesarean section, your support person AND your doula are allowed back into the OR (under normal circumstances, not emergency).

UPMC Hanover is just 25 minutes east of Gettysburg and known for its calm atmosphere and strong midwifery presence. Nearly 90% of births here are attended by certified nurse-midwives, and the hospital offers private rooms with overnight accommodations for partners. Pain management options include epidurals and nitrous oxide, and families can access prenatal classes and postpartum support. It’s a great fit for low-risk pregnancies and those seeking a more intimate, low-intervention approach.


I plan to tour with them in the future!

Carroll Hospital in Westminster, MD (about 40 minutes south) offers a spacious, modern setting with NICU access. Their LDRP suites allow you to stay in one room from labor through postpartum, and amenities like natural light and sofa beds make it feel more like a hotel than a hospital. Carroll also provides neonatal couplet care for babies born early or needing extra support, plus a wide range of classes—from infant CPR to pregnancy massage. If you want extra space and peace of mind, Carroll is worth the drive.

WellSpan York Hospital blends midwifery-led care with advanced medical support. Located about 45 minutes northeast of Gettysburg, York offers private labor and delivery suites with hydrotherapy tubs, rocking chairs, and sleep chairs for partners. Nearly half of births are attended by midwives, and the hospital includes a Level III NICU for intensive newborn care. With dedicated operating rooms and family-centered cesarean recovery, York is ideal for families who want low-intervention care with the reassurance of NICU access.

Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center is a full-service academic hospital about an hour northeast of Gettysburg. It’s especially well-suited for high-risk pregnancies or families who want every option available. Hershey’s collaborative care teams include OBs, midwives, anesthesiologists, and maternal-fetal medicine specialists. The Level III NICU is one of the most advanced in the region, and birth preferences like hydrotherapy, intermittent monitoring, and skin-to-skin contact are supported. Free prenatal classes and hospital tours round out the experience.

UPMC Carlisle offers a quieter, community-oriented setting about 45 minutes north of Gettysburg. The hospital features private labor and delivery suites and postpartum rooms designed for bonding and rest. Families have access to on-site lactation consultants, childbirth education, and pain management options including epidurals. Dedicated surgical suites within the maternity unit support planned or emergency cesarean births. Carlisle is a great option for families who want a calm, supportive environment with full clinical care.

Two images from a birth at UPMC Carlisle in 2025.

© Amie Bogart | Dove & Lioness Doula Services

Final thoughts

Choosing where to give birth is personal. Tour the spaces, meet the providers, and ask about what matters to you—movement during labor, VBAC support, newborn procedures, and more. Working with a doula can help you navigate these choices and advocate for your preferences. Birth is sacred. Your experience should reflect that.