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EAST MEADOW, N.Y. (AP) — A Long Island hospital now has two alternative birthing suites for underwater labor and deliveries.
Mothers and babies were part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday. The Nassau University Medical Center said it's the one of the first hospitals in Manhattan, Queens and Long Island to offer hydro birthing for women with low-risk pregnancies.
It's part of a major renovation of the hospital's OB-GYN department, which also has seven regular labor and delivery suites.
The hospital said hydro birthing can help with pain management and can lead to fewer complications and a shorter stay.
About 1,500 babies a year are born at the hospital. It's estimated that about 100 of those women will use the birthing tubs.
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