Loma Linda University Medical Center - Murrieta
What to Expect When Giving Birth Here
Labor & Delivery at Loma Linda University Medical Center:
Website: https://murrieta.lluh.org/services/womens-health/mother-baby
Address: 28062 Baxter Rd, Murrieta, CA 92563
Phone: 951-290-4000
MotherFigure Ratings - Maternity Ratings
- Live Births: 1,178
- Early Elective Deliveries: 0.0%
- C-Section Rate: 18.5%
- Episiotomy Rate: 1.8%
- Number of High-Risk Deliveries: 12
- Maternity Care Process: Fully Meets Standard
- Screening Newborns for Jaundice Before Discharge: Better than Target
- Preventing Blood-Clots in Women Undergoing Cesarean Section: Better than Target
- Is this a Teaching Hospital? No
LeapFrog Rating - Maternity Ratings
- High Risk Deliveries: 4
- Cesarean Rate: 19.7%
- Episiotomies: 1.6%
- Screening Newborns for Jaundice Before Discharge: 100%
- Preventing Blood-Clots in Women Undergoing Cesarean Section: 100%
- Number of Live Births: 1,477 live births at this hospital location during the reporting time period
- Midwives: This hospital does have certified nurse-midwives and/or certified midwives deliver newborns
- Doulas: This hospital allows patients to bring their own doulas
- Lactation Services: This hospital does offer lactation services in the hospital
- Vaginal Delivery After Cesarean Section (VBAC): This hospital does offer vaginal delivery after cesarean section (VBAC)
- Tubal Ligation: This hospital does offer tubal ligation during the labor and delivery admission
- Policy to Prevent Early Elective Deliveries: This hospital does have a policy to prevent early elective deliveries
U.S. News & World Report has named Loma Linda University Medical Center–Murrieta as a 2025 High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care. This is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care annual study. Read more HERE
Loma Linda University Medical Center, located in Murrieta, CA, offers an array of birth & postpartum services, including advanced neonatal resources & care, 24/7 on-site OB Physicians, spacious private suites, maternity classes & tours, a 24/7 OB Emergency Department, and breastfeeding support. Loma Linda’s Birthing Center promotes “couplet care”, which encourages mother-infant bonding, and helps establish successful breastfeeding. This Hospital has 5 private Labor & Delivery suites and 12 spacious Postpartum suites. In following with their “family-first” approach, all private suites have in-room accommodations for Dads or Birth Partners. The doctors, nurses and specialists at the Family Birth Center at Loma Linda University Medical Center are focused on creating a positive experience for moms and their newborns by keeping Mom & Baby together and encouraging skin-to-skin during the first 2hrs after birth. This special time helps the newborn adjust to life outside the womb and get a good start with breastfeeding. Stable Moms and Babies are never separated, even after Cesarean births, and skin-to-skin holding can even begin in the Operating Room! Breastfeeding support from International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants is available both in the Hospital and after you go home through their outpatient breastfeeding clinic. And, a new Level II NICU is on-site and capable of providing treatment for babies who need special care. Loma Linda’s NICU is the only one in the region offering overnight accommodations for parents so they can stay with their baby during NICU care!
Loma Linda’s “Skin-to-Skin” & “Sacred Hour”:
Breastfeeding Support
Loma Linda’s Breastfeeding Clinic:
NICU
Loma Linda’s Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) treats babies who need special care in the newborn period. For your convenience and to promote Mother-Baby bonding, six (6) private rooms allow parents of preterm and sick babies to stay in the same room as their newborns overnight. These special accommodations make their state-of-the-art NICU the first of its kind in the region! All babies in their NICU receive the best possible medical care from physicians who are board certified in neonatal and perinatal medicine. Loma Linda Physicians are also on staff in the Level IV NICU at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, which allows direct access to the resources and experience of every pediatric subspecialty needed.
Level II NICUs provide care for babies born at 32 weeks or later, or those who are moderately ill but expected to recover quickly.
A Hospital with a Level II NICU can provide the following services:
- Short-term mechanical ventilation (less than 24 hours)
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
- Intravenous therapy
- Specialized feeding support, including tube feeding
- Respiratory support
- Treatment for infections
- Can stabilize babies born at less than 32 weeks or with medical conditions that require transfer to a higher-level NICU
Talk or Text with a Placenta Specialist!
(415) 652-6886
Call Now
Providing outstanding Placenta Services to the Riverside County, San Diego County,
Orange County, and San Bernardino County!
Breastfeeding Support
During your stay in the Hospital, you will receive breastfeeding support from Loma Linda’s experienced International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants. These experts will help you achieve your breastfeeding goals and overcome any obstacles you may encounter. Once you return home, you can receive on-going breastfeeding support at the hospital-based “Mother Baby Connection Breastfeeding Clinic”. There, you will also have access to weight checks and bilirubin checks for your baby. And because Loma Linda values every new Mother’s breastfeeding journey, the outpatient breastfeeding clinic welcomes all moms, no matter where Baby was born!
Contact the Clinic with questions, or for appointments: 951-704-1325
Birth & Postpartum Classes / Maternity Tours
Loma Linda University Medical Center--Murrieta, is prepared to support you every step of the way as you prepare for your family's newest addition. From understanding the childbirth process to navigating a NICU stay, their expert-led classes, tours, and support groups will help you feel confident and ready.
Loma Linda’s Virtual Maternity Tour:
Maternity Tour SlideShow:
This Hospital offers expecting parents a Free Tour of their state-of-the-art Family Birthing Center/Maternity Unit. During these Tours you will meet their Perinatal Services team, get a glimpse of their modern and calming birthing suites, and learn more about their skin-to-skin bonding program, lactation services, and much more!
Tours are scheduled on Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm.
Most of Loma Linda’s classes are available virtually, with select in-person options.
For Questions and Registration Details email: birthandbeyond@llu.edu
- Loma Linda University Medical Center – Murrieta offers a Free “Newborn Basics & Breastfeeding” Class for all expecting Parents. This class takes place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 5:30pm-8pm, and is located at 28078 Baxter Rd., Suite 210, Murrieta, CA 92563; Professional Office Building - Temecula Room
Register for this Class HERE
- All About Newborn/Breastfeeding Basics: this combo class is designed to help you learn more about caring for your baby in one convenient class, and will address your questions and concerns as well as teach you about your baby’s feeding and care needs in the first few weeks of their life.
Learn more about this Class HERE
Register for this Class HERE
For questions, or problems with Registration or Payment call 909-558-3500 or email birthandbeyond@llu.edu
- All About Newborns: This class is designed to answer your individual questions and biggest concerns; as well as educate you on newborn care and evidence-based information on sleep, crying and understanding baby behavior and cues.
Learn more about this Class HERE
Register for this Class HERE
For questions, or problems with Registration or Payment call 909-558-3500 or email birthandbeyond@llu.edu
♥ Loma Linda University Medical Center is located within ‘Tree of Life’s’ FREE travel radius! ♥
Placenta Encapsulation is the process in which your placenta is used to make an easy-to-take daily supplement that can help you have a better postpartum recovery! The most common reported benefits include:
- Boost in energy
- Reduced risk of developing postpartum depression
- Healthy milk supply
- Less postpartum bleeding
- Faster healing/recovery
- Less post-surgical and postpartum pain
In the state of California, you are allowed to keep your placenta in most cases, but certain circumstances can require that the placenta go to Pathology for testing. Read more about what to do if this happens here: 'Know Your Placenta Rights in a Hospital Setting'
☸ The specific Placenta Protocol for Loma Linda University Medical Center - Murrieta is:
- Discuss your Placenta Encapsulation plans with your OB & add to your Birth Plan
- Notify Hospital Staff of your plans to keep your placenta upon admittance
- Bring a Cooler (the hospital will provide ice)
- Sign the Hospital’s Consent/Release Form
➡️Are you ready to place your Placenta Order? Fill out & Submit an Order Form
After reading through countless Yelp Reviews, Google Reviews, and Facebook Comments on Posts in local Moms Groups, it is clear Loma Linda University Medical Center is one of two most preferred Hospitals in the area to give birth! There are plenty of recent positive Reviews praising the Nurses, the Rooms, and the overall Birth Experience. The majority of negative reviews tend to be from years ago, although there are a few that are somewhat recent, and had to do with the Hospital’s ER department or the Nurses. Do your research and never be afraid to advocate for yourself!
Positive Reviews:
2025 (Yelp): “My daughter had her baby there last week and we could not be happier with the entire staff. From the check-in process to the nurses, and the doctors. Everyone was top-notch! I am so grateful for their gentle bedside manner and true care for our little precious grandbaby. This was my daughter's first child and it could not have gone better. Thank you so much to the entire labor and delivery department.”
2025 (FB): “I’m due in 2 weeks and I went to Loma Linda’s hospital tour. The nurse said they provide everything including pads, mesh underwear, tucks pads, dermoplast, peri bottle, etc. For baby she said they give wipes and diapers and we can take all leftovers home. Someone even asked if there is something they recommend we bring and she said the only thing we would need is an outfit for mom and baby to go home in, and maybe a nursing pillow.”
2024 (FB): “Loma Linda was the closest hospital, so I went there with my first. I had the best experience, so when I got pregnant with my second, I was set on delivering there again! I personally was set on getting an epidural both times, so I don’t know what pain management looks like outside of that. I do know, when I delivered, the nurse asked me about my birth plan! So, I think if you have a plan they will work with you. Recovery was great there, they listen to you, and try to make you as comfortable as possible. I had pretty bad post birth contractions after my last delivery, and they listened and gave me medication for the pain as needed. They never dismissed my concerns or questions or pain levels. They have a lactation consultant that comes to visit and that you can call when needed, which was helpful! I remember with my first I went to their ER 3/4 times before delivering and they never made me feel like a burden, they were very kind and reassuring. They truly are a great hospital, and I have nothing but good things to say about them! Of course that is my opinion, and I hope it helps!”
2023 (FB): “I personally loved birthing @ Loma Linda Murrieta! My birth experience was amazing and the nurses let me do what I wanted (labor standing up and no I.V.) my son was transferred to Loma Linda main campus and had a great experience in the NICU there.”
2023 (Google): “Best delivery I’ve ever had. Great nurses. Great care. Thank You Jesus for this hospital!”
2024 (FB): “I had a C-section there and they were amazing! My baby was breached and refused to come out. My OB was fantastic and the anesthesiologist was friendly and explained everything before he did it. He also told me what was going on behind the curtain. It was a great experience!”
2023 (Google): “Nurses are excellent! Had my baby here and I would definitely come back in the future to deliver my babies! There’s one doctor that made my delivery very difficult and I wouldn’t recommend him to anyone (Dr. Perea)”
2023 (FB): “I have had two babies at Loma Linda and hands down best experience I’ve ever had!! Loved every moment!! Couldn’t recommend them more!”
2023 (FB): “I delivered at Loma Linda and it was a great experience. The staff was amazing. The food and “mimosa” weren’t too shabby either.”
2023 (FB): “I had a very positive experience at Loma, they listened to me, great bedside manner, and attentive. I also loved how everything is in 1 room and baby never leaves.”
2022 (Google): “We checked in to Loma Linda Hospital in Murrieta on 8/24/22 on an emergency basis as we were expecting our first child. The front emergency staff was very efficient and called in the nurse in charge, Stephanie Molina from Labor & Delivery. She greeted us, provided valuable info. and put all of our anxieties to rest. If perfect nurses can be cloned one day, she would be the perfect choice. Stephanie comforted both of us and worked with Dr. Teresa Avants who in was in charge that night. Doctor Avants checked on my wife, periodically. As my wife got close to delivery, the baby’s heart kept fluctuating very high and very low. Doctor Avants assessed the situation and decided on a C-section. We are very lucky she was there that night. After delivery, she informed us that in her 35 yrs of experience, she hadn’t seen a baby intertwined with the cord four times over. The staff, Natalie, Taylor, Doria, and especially Rocio were exceptionally professional and friendly. Dr. Antonio Meixel was very helpful and kind. Last but not least, Tammy Kruzick, the Lactation whisperer, was incredible and very helpful. All in all, we experienced professional medical staff at their BEST!!!! We belonged to a different medical insurance but hope to switch to one that encompasses Loma Linda medical Hospital.”
2022 (Google): “LOVE LOVE LOVE this hospital. I delivered 3 babies here the staff is so nice and helpful the celebratory dinner for me and my husband was so good and a lovely gesture! I would recommend delivering at this hospital over ANY other that I have experienced, thank you staff so much for your service!”
2020 (Yelp): “THIS PLACE IS THE BEST!!!!! I had my baby here 2 weeks ago and I had the best labor and delivery experience! I had Dr. Avants deliver my baby and she was very supportive through the whole process. The nurses were amazing too. I recommend this hospital to any first-time moms.”
Negative Reviews:
2022 (FB): “I gave birth 3 times at Rancho Springs Hospital, and my last one in December at Loma Linda in Murrieta. I've always had an amazing experience at Rancho Springs, but Loma Linda was a nightmare. My first induction failed because they administered the meds wrong. I had to go through it all again & ended up being in labor almost 2 days without pain meds until they finally got it right, then I progressed within a few hrs & was finally allowed an epidural. I went through all the nurses & found out that I only had a couple of them who were actual OB nurses, which were the only 2 I actually liked.”
2022 (Yelp): “Horrible horrible labor and delivery experience!!! I just recently gave birth there and I was in hospital for five days. I saw many nurses and only two or three really showed a care in the world and was actually nurturing and nice. The ten other nurses I saw were HORRIBLE. Very aggressive. Snotty. They barely checked in on me unless my monitor was off and not reading properly, my epidural wasn't working TWICE, not one nurse cared, Ron and Brad were amazing! They actually cared and helped me, ESPECIALLY Brad, he was AMAZING!!! He checked on me throughout the day and made sure I was taken care of and made me feel comfortable and actually made me feel like I was being cared for. This hospital needs to hire more caring people and less people who care more to gossip about their patients... my boyfriend walked by the nurse’s station and they were gossiping about patients. SO UNPROFESSIONAL and not comforting at all. I will not be recommending anyone to give birth there. Post partum the nurses weren't listening to me when I said what hurt and how much. So annoying. Thanks to Brad and Stephanie though I loved them! Stephanie helped me through labor and told me some things I could do to help labor contractions like get up and walk or yoga ball, which helped a lot. Other than that, horrible hospital at least in the labor and delivery department!”
2022 (Yelp): “Do not! And I mean absolutely do not go here for any medical needs. I had to go to the ER due to severe back and abdomen pain at 35 weeks pregnant. One of the staff members came up to me and asked me if I was okay? I'm obviously not if I'm in screaming in pain and needing to sit down. I checked in and obviously put that I was pregnant. They took so many other people before me even having my paper stating I'm pregnant and in horrible pain. When it was finally my turn to get officially checked in, they asked if I was possibly pregnant and I said yes, I marked it on the paper. The nurse quickly turned to the staff and asked why I wasn't in labor and delivery yet and they all said they didn't know, that they didn't want to assume. And continued to joke about saying how I was small for being almost 9 months pregnant. Anyway, I was finally in a room but the nurse helping at labor and delivery was super rude. You can tell she doesn't care about people at all. I had to constantly use the bathroom so I was constantly taking off the baby monitors and she got so frustrated with me, that she tightened them as much as she could so they wouldn't come off. I spent 12 hours total in the hospital with horrible service. You could also here the women at the front desk constantly messing around and laughing. They are extremely unprofessional. Also, when I finally got my room, the bed they had me lay in was dirty as if it had another woman's discharge still on there, so they don't check for cleanliness either. No matter how much pain I was in, the nurse only came to check on me when I stopped crying. The doctors are the only reason why they get one star. They were nice but take forever to see you. Just save your time and go elsewhere.”