Lighting for Birthing Suites
In the Labor & Delivery suite, the most important lighting-related factor for a safe and healthy birth is the angle of illumination. A greater angle of illumination means deeper penetration of light into the birth canal. INFRALED PRO 60 offers an unparalleled 60 degree articulation, providing 64% deeper illumination than competitive products. PRO 60 is designed with two LED light engines per fixture and is sold in pairs, to ensure shadow free illumination over the practitioner’s shoulders. The result is nearly double the amount of light on task compared to competitive products. Full-range continuous dimming to 1% permits a residential ambiance during labor and postpartum.
Beyond procedural lighting, birthing suites also need:
- Wayfinding products for mom, family members, and clinical staff to move about the space at night
- Ambient lighting (with dimming!) to provide personalized light levels for the patient and her care partners
- Warming lights for general comfort to keep mother and baby toasty during skin-to-skin contact
Labor & Delivery Best Practices
Looking for more detail on what products to consider for your Labor & Delivery room design? Take a look at this “Best Practices” webinar recording, featuring the Kirlin team. You’ll learn all about:
- Using INFRALED PRO recessed motorized exam lights to deliver best-in-class performance
- Ambient downlights for general lighting
- Where to place warming lights in a birthing suite
- Optimal Labor & Delivery suite layouts, including PRO 60 with the proper setback from the bed
- Major mistakes to avoid
- … and more!
Labor & Delivery Collection
Labor & Delivery FAQ
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What are the options for procedural lighting in Labor & Delivery, and why is recessed motorized preferred?
For procedural lighting in the L&D department, recessed motorized exam lights provide the best combination of clinical performance and hospitality-inspired appearance. Other options that are less preferable are portable exam lights (which can be under-powered, hard to find, and difficult to clean) and boom-mounted exam lights (which can be imposing to the patient, a physical hazard to the clinicians, and also difficult to clean). -
How much more light does PRO 60 deliver, compared to competitive products?
PRO 60 can deliver 77% more light than competing products in the same configuration, and delivers light 64% deeper into the birth canal than a fixture with a 45-degree tilt. -
Where do warming lights install in the birthing suites?
Warming lights usually install over the patient bed to enhance skin-to-skin contact. In some instances they are placed over a specialized sink, where baby receives his or her first bath. -
Do I need nightlights in my birthing suite design?
Yes! Family members are often in the birthing suite, sometimes for multiple nights. Nightlights help guests and staff members navigate the room at night without flipping on the overhead lights and waking a potentially exhausted mom or newborn. -
When would you recommend using PRO 45 in a birthing suite rather than PRO 60?
In certain small-format Labor and Delivery suites, it is impossible to achieve the setback needed to see the full benefit of a 60-degree angle. In these rooms, we can use PRO 45. However the best way to ensure proper procedural lighting in the birthing suite is to contact Kirlin early on in the design phase.