A Doula’s Tips for Creating a Positive Birth Environment at New York's Mount Sinai Hospital

Giving birth in a hospital doesn’t mean giving up comfort, peace, or your vision of a gentle, empowering experience. As a doula who has supported families at Mount Sinai Hospital here in New York, I want to share a few personal tips on how to make your hospital room feel more like a sanctuary — a space where you feel grounded, respected, and fully supported.

Whether you're planning a natural birth, want to stay flexible, or simply crave a calm atmosphere, these tips can help you advocate for yourself and build the kind of birth environment that centers you.

1. Bring Your Comfort Items

Hospitals can feel sterile, but a few familiar touches can shift the energy fast. Think cozy socks, your favorite pillow, an essential oil roller (lavender and peppermint are favorites!), and even a soft blanket from home. These small things bring big comfort — especially in early labor.

2. Create a Birth Playlist

Music is powerful. It can soothe anxiety, lift your mood, and help you drop into your breath. I always recommend my clients build a playlist in advance: soft, slow tracks for early labor, and maybe some upbeat rhythms when it’s time to dig deep. Mount Sinai allows you to bring a speaker or use your phone with earbuds — just check ahead with your provider.

3. Use Lighting to Your Advantage

Hospital lights are bright and clinical — and that’s not always what you want during birth. I encourage families to pack a battery-powered tealight or bring a soft eye mask. Dimming the lights can help you feel safer and more relaxed, especially if you’re aiming for an unmedicated birth.

4. Communicate Your Preferences Early

One of the most empowering things you can do is create a simple birth preferences list and review it with your care team early on. At Mount Sinai, most nurses and providers are happy to support your wishes, especially when they’re communicated clearly and respectfully. I help my clients draft this in advance, and I’m always there to help reinforce it when needed.

5. Keep Your Support Circle Tight

Labor is not a performance. Choose one or two people who make you feel safe, grounded, and emotionally held. Whether that’s your partner, a best friend, your doula (hi!), or a combination — having people who understand your goals and can advocate for your space is key.

6. Remember You Can Say No

Even in the hospital, you have bodily autonomy. You can ask questions, request time, decline interventions, or suggest alternatives. I always remind my clients: “You’re the driver, not the passenger.” Mount Sinai’s staff are usually wonderful about supporting informed choice, especially when you feel confident enough to speak up — or have a doula help do that for you.

Birth is unpredictable, but your environment matters. It sets the tone. It supports your hormones. It shapes your memory of this powerful day. As your doula, I’m here to help you build a calm, safe, and sacred birth space, even inside hospital walls.

If you're planning to give birth at Mount Sinai and want a birth experience that reflects your values, culture, and voice — reach out. I'd love to walk this path with you.