LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Labor and delivery services will soon return to south Louisville for the first time in nearly 50 years.

City, state, and hospital leaders marked a milestone in project at UofL Health-Mary & Elizabeth Hospital with a ceremonial sledgehammer swing Thursday morning. The demo work will make way for a $20 million project for UofL Health called the Birthing Place. Nearly 21,000-square-feet of former office space will be redesigned, near the main entrance of the hospital. 

The unit will include eight labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum suites that will focus on natural and traditional childbirth. Each will have a "spa-inspired" labor tub area and a private bathroom and shower room. 

There will also be a specialty suite specifically designed for C-Sections, a Well-baby Level 1 Nursery, and a labor lounge that will "provide a calming and soothing environment for laboring mothers."

According to UofL Health, the last baby delivered in a birthing center west of Interstate 65 was in 1974.

"For far too long families west of I-65 have had to go long distances to find labor and delivery options," Mary & Elizabeth Hospital CEO Melisa Adkins said in a news release. "The Birthing Place increases access to expectant moms looking for exceptional maternity care close to home, and to all moms seeking an extraordinary experience."

During the ceremony Thursday, many thanked Councilwoman Cindi Fowler for her efforts to make sure this project became a reality. Renovation of the space is supported by an $8.25 million grant from Louisville Metro Government.

"Not having a place to birth babies in the whole half of a city, I mean, that's just like they said, a travesty. It really is crazy that that is where we're at in 2024. That, you know, a whole half of a city, west of I-65, no place to birth a baby," said Councilwoman Cindi Fowler. "Plus, I was born here so I know the need is here, you know, and people shouldn't have to drive 45 minutes, you know, to get to an area to birth a baby. Sometimes you don't have 45 minutes."

The goal is to start accepting patients at the Birthing Place in the spring of 2025, providing "convenient health care access to all, especially patients in underserved communities."

UofL Health-Mary & Elizabeth Hospital is located on Bluegrass Avenue in Louisville's Hazelwood neighborhood, off Manslick Road. To learn more about the hospital, click here.

To learn more about the Birthing Place, click here.

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