First Baby Born at Brown University Labor and Delivery Center at Women & Infants Hospital

Providence, R.I. – Women & Infants Hospital, the birthplace of over 80% of Rhode Island’s babies, is thrilled to announce the arrival of the first baby born at the newly opened Brown University Labor and Delivery Center. This milestone birth marks the beginning of a new era in maternal and neonatal care in Rhode Island, following the center’s official opening in March 2025.

On Tuesday, March 25th at 10:59 am, April Elvannia da Rocha Oliveira was the first delivery of the new Brown University Labor and Delivery Center at Women & Infants Hospital, weighing in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces. Proud mother, Ana Iza Macedo Da Rocha, and father, Arsenio Oliveira, of Pawtucket, were overjoyed with their new bundle of joy.

The new 18,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility is a testament to Women & Infants’ commitment to providing world-class care. Designed with the latest medical technology, the center features 3 isolation rooms and 2 bariatric lift rooms, all within a warm and family-friendly environment. The facility is equipped with innovative amenities such as labor slings and portable tub connections, ensuring a personalized and comfortable birthing experience for all mothers.

Each of the new labor rooms has been thoughtfully expanded to 400 square feet—nearly doubling the previous size—complete with private baths, allowing for a more spacious and serene environment. The center also offers advanced in-room technology and digital artwork, creating a healing atmosphere for mothers and families. Natural light pours in from external-facing windows, enriching the birthing process, while a peaceful walking path with resting benches provides a tranquil space for reflection.

This extraordinary new center is the result of a collaborative effort between Women & Infants Hospital, staff, patients, and key stakeholders, designed to combine cutting-edge medical advancements with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. The team of dedicated professionals is focused on ensuring the best possible outcomes for both mothers and babies.

“This historic birth is a proud moment for Women & Infants and a symbol of our ongoing dedication to providing top-tier maternal care,” said Shannon Sullivan, President and Chief Operating Officer of Women & Infants Hospital. “The Brown University Labor and Delivery Center represents the next chapter in our mission to offer the safest and highest-quality care, and we are honored to celebrate this milestone with Ana Iza Macedo Da Rocha, Arsenio Oliveira, and their family.”

The Brown University Labor and Delivery Center underscores Women & Infants Hospital’s commitment to advancing maternal and newborn care. Designed with input from healthcare professionals, patients, and researchers, the facility offers a holistic, evidence-based approach to labor and delivery, ensuring a positive and supportive experience for all who walk through its doors.

About Women & Infants Hospital

Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, a Care New England hospital, is one of the nation’s leading specialty hospitals for women and newborns. A major teaching affiliate of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University for obstetrics, gynecology, and newborn pediatrics, as well as a number of specialized programs in women’s medicine, Women & Infants is the ninth largest stand-alone obstetrical service in the country and the largest in New England with approximately 8,700 deliveries per year. Women & Infants is a Designated Baby-Friendly® USA hospital and was recently ranked by Newsweek as one of America's Best Maternity Hospitals in 2024. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology ranked 11 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best Medical Schools specialty ranking.

Women & Infants has been designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiography; a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology; and a Neonatal Resource Services Center of Excellence. It is one of the largest and most prestigious research facilities in high-risk and normal obstetrics, gynecology, and newborn pediatrics in the nation, and is a member of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Maternal Fetal Medicine Units Network, and Pelvic Floors Disorders Network, as well as the National Cancer Institute’s Gynecologic Oncology Group.