The Breidegam Family Birthing Center

As a designated Baby-Friendly^® USA hospital, the Breidegam Family Birthing Center at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center provides a welcoming space for mothers, newborns and partners, while assuring the most advanced medical care. You’ll stay in one of our 15 private rooms, where you’ll labor, deliver, recover and stay with your baby and support person. Enjoy the option of laboring in air-jet whirlpool tubs located in your room. Your baby’s routine checkups and nursing care take place in your room, ensuring uninterrupted time for your family to bond and get to know each other. A lactation specialist will be available to help you get started with breastfeeding your baby and address any questions or concerns you might have. In the event that your baby requires special care, our six-bed, Level II neonatal intensive care nursery is just steps away.  

You can see and learn more about the Breidegam Family Birthing Center by taking a tour with your personal navigator, who will help you explore the center, meet the team and answer your questions. 

Benefits of a family birthing center

• A safe, home-like environment for you to birth your baby
• Immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby after birth
• Assistance with breastfeeding 
• Instruction on caring for your new baby
• All the support services you need

Pediatric care for your baby

Your baby will be in good hands with our primary care physicians who will conduct well-baby visits and attend to any medical issues your child encounters. You’ll have access to pediatric specialists in cardiology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, orthopedics, neurology, neurosurgery and cancer care through our partnership with Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. You can receive pediatric care in convenient locations throughout Berks County. 

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Care and education for mothers-to-be

Learning that you’re pregnant can be life-changing. Your focus changes, and all you want is the best for your baby. Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center offers all the care you’ll need while you’re expecting, from routine prenatal visits to expert care for a high-risk pregnancy. Our skilled team members will be with you every step of the way.

Baby Friendly^® Hospital and Blue Cross Distinction

St. Joseph Medical Center recently was redesignated as a Certified Baby-Friendly^® Hospital by the Baby-Friendly^® Hospital Initiative, a global program that encourages breastfeeding and early mother bonding. St. Joseph is the only hospital in Berks County to have been awarded the designation, which extends through 2028.

The Medical Center also has been designated by Highmark and Capital Blue Shield as a Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care 2023. The designation signifies the maternity program meets nationally established selection criteria in delivering quality specialty care in a safe and effective manner. 

We are proud of these recognitions that acknowledge our commitment to providing the highest standards of care in a supportive, nurturing atmosphere for women and their families.

Our Services

Gynecology

Gynecologic care begins at puberty with disease prevention, education and regular screenings. As women move through adolescence and childbearing years into menopause and beyond, the issues they encounter change, along with the type of care they need. We offer comprehensive services for all your women’s health needs, including:

• Routine care
• Wellness education and screenings
• Diagnostic evaluation
• Surgery
• Family planning
• Menopause and perimenopause care
• Urogynecology and pelvic health

Urogynecology and pelvic floor health

Pelvic floor disorders, such as urinary or fecal incontinence, painful urination, pelvic pain or pelvic organ prolapse, can cause discomfort and embarrassment. But our team of urogynecologists is here to help. Whether you're dealing with one of these issues or another condition, we have the expertise to provide effective treatment and support.

Menopause support

Menopause is a natural part of aging but can cause symptoms that are uncomfortable and difficult to navigate. It’s normal to have questions or concerns about your health during this time of your life. The experts at St. Joseph Medical Center are here to address those concerns and help you meet menopause on your own terms. We can support you in controlling and managing symptoms, including:

• Bone density loss
• Difficulty sleeping
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Joint pain
• Mood swings, depression and irritability
• Racing heart
• Skipped or irregular periods
• Urinary incontinence
• Vaginal dryness

Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery

If you require surgery for a gynecologic condition, our specialized surgeons will use minimally invasive surgical techniques and robotic-assisted surgery whenever possible. These techniques give surgeons greater precision, resulting in smaller incisions, less pain, decreased risk of infection and bleeding, and faster recovery times for you. 

Surgery can be effective in treating gynecologic conditions, such as:

• Abnormal or excessive uterine bleeding
• Cancer of the cervix, uterus, ovaries or other pelvic organs
• Cysts
• Endometriosis
• Fibroid tumors
• Pelvic floor disorders
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Problems that can occur during pregnancy

We’re Ready to See You

When it comes to caring for you and your family, no one has time to wait. When you call, we take the time to ensure all your questions are answered and offer prompt appointment scheduling. From simple outpatient procedures to complex operations, you can trust us to provide comprehensive general surgery care.

Surgical Precision. Tiny Incision.

Our experienced surgeons care for patients with common medical problems, including appendicitis, hernias, gallbladder diseases, stomach and intestinal issues, breast cancer and breast reconstruction surgery.

We perform routine to complex surgical procedures using minimally invasive laparoscopic, robotic-assisted and traditional techniques to treat a wide range of conditions, including:

• Acid reflux/gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Stomach and esophagus lesions/gastrointestinal disorders
• Diverticulitis/diverticular disease
• Achalasia (difficulty swallowing)
• Hernia repair
• Conditions of the liver, gallbladder and spleen
• Skin surgery/removal of cysts
• Conditions of the breast
• Appendectomy

Many surgeries can be performed using a robotic-assisted surgical system, directly benefitting patients with:

• Smaller incisions
• Less pain, blood loss and scarring
• Shorter hospital stays
• Faster recovery
• Earlier return to normal daily activities

Our team provides compassionate care before, during and after your surgery. We collaborate with primary care physicians and other specialists to provide the most effective care.

First in Berks to Offer Innovative Treatment for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

When lifestyle changes and medications don’t work for your gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), your surgeon may suggest a minimally invasive, same-day procedure using the LINX Reflux^® Management System. St. Joseph Medical Center is the first hospital in Berks County to offer this innovative treatment in which a ring of tiny magnetic beads is wrapped around the junction of your stomach and esophagus. The magnetic attraction of the beads keeps the junction closed to refluxing acid. At the same time, it is weak enough for food and liquid to move down your esophagus and into your stomach.

Not sure if surgery is right for you? Read Five signs you should consider surgery for acid reflux.

Skilled, Compassionate and Safe Care 

If you require an inpatient stay following your surgery, your treatment team will provide skilled, compassionate and safe care for your body, mind and spirit. At St. Joseph Medical Center, we’re driven by our core values of Reverence, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence, which are practiced every day by our dedicated doctors and clinical and support staff. It is a tradition of caring that has remained at the core of our ever-evolving system since our founding by the Sisters of St. Francis in 1873. Find out more in our patient handbook.

For the last two years, Healthgrades has ranked St. Joseph Medical Center among the top 5% of all hospitals in the country for clinical excellence. We’ve also garnered recognition from U.S. News & World Report as a 2023 High Performing Hospital for treating heart attack, heart failure, stroke and pneumonia. See all our awards here.

Rehabilitation after surgery

With a goal of improving symptoms, regaining function and improving your quality of life, comprehensive medical rehabilitation helps speed your recovery following surgery. Our dedicated team of therapists at St. Joseph Medical Center provides comprehensive client-centered care. Drawing on more than 35 years of combined experience, our team of physical, occupational and speech therapists creates goal-based, personalized treatment plans to help improve your function and enhance your well-being.
If you’re recovering from surgery, we will work one-on-one with you to help you achieve your goals and live your best life. Call 610-378-2975 for more information. 

Our Convenient Locations

• General surgery consultation/appointments
  Penn State Health General Surgery
  St. Joseph Medical Center
  Medical Office Building
  2494 Bernville Road, Suite 200
  Reading, PA 19605
  610-378-7900

• Imaging and testing
  Radiology Department
  Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center
  2500 Bernville Road, First Floor
  Reading, PA 19605
  610-378-2100

• Outpatient rehabilitation
  Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center
  Medical Office Building 
  2494 Bernville Road, Suite 103
  Reading, PA 19605
  610-378-2975