Women’s Health Institute

Maternity Services

An Exceptional Birthing Experience
The collective talents of SOCH’s expert team coupled with outstanding technical capabilities and a warm, caring environment assure that each family and their new arrival have an exceptional birthing experience.

Physician Specialists
SOCH’s board-certified physician specialists in obstetrics & gynecology, neonatology, reproductive endocrinology (infertility), pediatrics and pediatric cardiology come together to bring the best possible care to expectant and new mothers and their babies. And SOCH has recently added the services of a certified nurse midwife to the maternity program.

Our Team of Expert Clinicicans in Obstetrics & Gynecology Include:

Brian Gottesman, MD is board-certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology. He earned his medical degree from the State University of New York. He completed an internship and residency at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York, and served as a teaching assistant in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at NYU Medical Center. He previously served as Director of the Women’s Health Center at Upstate Carolina Medical Center in Gaffney, South Carolina.

Todd Liu, MD is board-certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dr. Liu received his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He completed a residency in OB/GYN at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. He is Chairman of the Department of OB/GYN at SOCH and is affiliated with Pavilion Women’s Health Associates.

M. Ali Parsa, MD is a specialist in Obstetrics & Gynecology. He earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Roseau, Dominica. He graduated with a BS degree from the University of North Florida. His training includes a residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ.

Certified Nurse-Midwives:

Kathy Porsch, BSN, MSN, CNM is a certified Nurse- Midwife at SOCH. She earned her BSN from Thomas Edison University, and her MSN from the University of Pennsylvania. She earned a certificate in midwifery from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to becoming a midwife, Kathy served as a public health nurse and then a public health supervisor for the Ocean County Health Department. Following her certification as a midwife, she worked at Temple University Hospital, then at private OB/GYN practices in Toms River.

Kelley A. Gilger, BSN, CNM is a certified Nurse-Midwife at SOCH. She earned her RN degree from Mercer County Community College and her BA degree from Monmouth University. She earned a certificate in midwifery from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. Prior to becoming a midwife, Kelley worked as a registered nurse at Southern Ocean County Hospital.

The Maternity Pavilion: A Family-Friendly Environment
SOCH is committed to ensuring that the birthing experience is wonderful and joyous for the laboring mother, her partner and the baby’s siblings.  The family-centered, home-like atmosphere of a private birthing suite, where expectant mothers will labor, deliver and recover, will promote relaxation and help to make the entire experience as comfortable as possible.

We encourage the father or support person to take an active role in the birthing experience, and they are also welcome to spend the night on a comfortable reclining sleeper. After delivery, the new mother will remain in her birthing suite with her coach and baby, and siblings are invited to join with the family in bonding with the new bundle of joy!

During the time on the Maternity Pavilion, the baby may stay in the new mother’s room with her day and night, or she may choose to have her baby spend some of the time in SOCH’s specially equipped nursery, allowing her quiet time to rest and recover.

Keeping Comfortable During Labor and Delivery
At SOCH, every effort is made to ensure a safe delivery. We encourage the coach to be with the expectant mother to provide support throughout the labor process. The expectant mother will also benefit from the expertise of our experienced nurses, who will be with her every step of the way.

The physician, the anesthesiologist and the nurses will work closely with the expectant mother to help determine the most appropriate option to help her manage any discomfort she may have during labor and delivery. These options include:

• A relaxing whirlpool bath
• Birthing balls
• Breathing and relaxation techniques
• Medication
• Epidural administration

Cesarean Delivery
Should she require a cesarean delivery, SOCH’s highly qualified obstetricians can perform the procedure in a specially equipped cesarean delivery room located on the Maternity Pavilion.

Care for the Newborn
During the stay on the Maternity Pavilion, SOCH’s board-certified pediatricians and neonatologist are available to provide exceptional care for the baby. In addition, thanks to an affiliation with Jersey Shore University Medical Center, SOCH offers timely access to critical newborn care, if needed.

Visiting Hours
Visiting Hours are designed to allow friends and loved ones an opportunity to share the joy as the family welcomes the new addition. The following are visiting hours for the Maternity Pavilion:

• 10:00 am to noon
• 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Parenting and Childbirth Education
Preparing to bring a new life into the world is an exciting and joyful time.  Through the SOCH Family Resource Center, SOCH offers a wide variety of parenting and childbirth education classes designed to help new parents with pregnancy, labor, delivery and childcare. In addition, expectant and new parents can take advantage of an extensive lending library that offers a comprehensive selection of books and videos on pregnancy, childbirth and parenting, as well as free internet access.

Parenting and Childbirth Education Programs Include:

• Childbirth Preparation: Offered in a six-week session format or in one all-day program
• Breast Feeding Class
• Infant/Child CPR
• Prenatal Exercise Class
• Baby and Me Exercise Class
• Planning for Pregnancy
• Newborn Class
• Becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister
• Free tours of the Maternity Pavilion are offered the second Sunday of each month at 2:00 pm, or by appointment.