The Family Birth Center at Mercy Health – West Hospital
We understand the birth of a baby is one of the most precious moments in life. At Mercy Health, we want you and your bundle of joy to have a wonderful beginning.
Our experienced nursing staff of the Family Birth Center at Mercy Health – West Hospital will provide you and your little one with exceptional clinical care and warm snuggly compassion.
In addition to delivering babies, our staff will provide important programs for families and newborns including education programs, and ongoing support for breastfeeding moms. Below is a list of these programs and services.
Level II Special Care Nursery
Mercy Health – West Hospital will have a Level II Special Care Nursery, which means the Family Birth Center can safely deliver babies that are 32 weeks or further along and 1500 grams or more in weight. The Level II Special Care Nursery is an extremely important feature for babies requiring additional support including preterm and late preterm babies. The Special Care Nursery will have private, specially equipped rooms to create an environment for babies to continue their development, ensure uninterrupted sleep and bonding with the parents.
In this nursery, staff and physicians follow the Developmental Care Program, which focuses on each baby’s specific conditions and issues. For example, staff may use positioning tools and aids to help mimic the uterine environment; they may use the Kangaroo Chair, which allows for the mom and child to have skin-to-skin contact, in a private environment. Snugglies and Bendy Bumpers will be available to help keep the baby in the fetal position, crucial to his or her growth.
There will also be two family suites on the Special Care Nursery for families that want to be close to their child, while he or she is in the Special Care Nursery. This will allow for greater convenience and facilitate bonding and breastfeeding with the baby.
Childbirth Education
Childbirth Education classes are an extremely helpful and valuable tool for expectant mothers and fathers. On average, 40-50% of expectant mothers participate in the educational classes offered at Mercy Health facilities.
Mercy Health – West Hospital will offer a variety of classes including one-day classes (Baby Basics, Infant Safety and CPR, Breastfeeding, Siblings at Delivery, Childbirth Refresher), and a four-week Childbirth Education series. The four-week education series covers basic pregnancy information, education regarding the birth and delivery, basic infant care and a tour of the Family Birth Center.
Maternal Fetal Medicine Program
This program is focused on reducing risks for mothers who experience complicated pregnancies. Subspecialist physicians are available as consults to obstetricians/gynecologists and actively help manage patients’ conditions during their pregnancy. Mothers who would receive services through this program include those with gestational diabetes, chronic maternal health conditions (known congenital anomalies such as polycystic kidney disease) and confirmation and management of chromosome diseases such as Down Syndrome.
Lactation Program
Mercy Health – West Hospital recognizes how important Lactation Programs are to the health of a baby, which is why the Family Birth Center will offer a Lactation Program as well as a Lactation Room.
Expecting and new mothers can all benefit through the lactation program. Prior to having their baby, moms-to-be can stop by and receive information on how to breast-feed. During their stay in the center, all new moms have access to the full-time lactation specialists who can help with breastfeeding and provide general patient education. The lactation room provides support for mothers who have left the hospital but are still struggling with breastfeeding or have questions to meet with a specialist to help with any issues they might be experiencing.
