Childbirth at MercyOne

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This editorial series, Stork Stories, is brought to you by Des Moines Moms Blog and MercyOne. MercyOne provides world-class prenatal and postpartum care in Des Moines. All 8 original articles from the Stork Stories series can be found here.

stork stories MercyOneAt MercyOne, the highest standard is the only standard. They are dedicated to providing a remarkable birthing experience for parents who choose to deliver there.

What sets MercyOne Apart

MercyOne is proud to offer the only OB Emergency Department (OB ED) where patients are guaranteed an assessment by an obstetrician. Patients experiencing complications during pregnancy can self-refer to the 24/7 OB ED, or they may be referred there by their provider.

MercyOne Childbirth classesPregnancy and Postpartum Classes at MercyOne

Parents are invited to take part in a wide variety of educational classes during pregnancy and after birth. They recommend the following classes based on trimester.

  • 1st trimester: Great Expectations and/or Stork Affair
  • 2nd trimester: Baby Basics, Postpartum Adjustments*, Multiple Blessings, Baby Finance 101, Now and Then – A Grandparent Class, and Beyond Birth*
  • 3rd trimester: Prenatal Classes, Breastfeeding Essentials, Breastfeeding Essentials Part 2*, Fast Track, Refresher Class, Boot Camp for New Dads, Sibling Class, Online Prenatal Classes, and Spanish Prenatal Classes

Classes marked with * can also be taken after your baby is born. They also partner with Mercy College of Health Sciences to offer a free infant CPR class that can be taken at any time.

MercyOne childbirthBirth Doulas

MercyOne is also the only hospital to offer complimentary volunteer birth doulas based on availability. If you’re interested in a birth doula, please request one when you arrive to deliver your baby. The birth doula will be there to help you and your birthing partner throughout your labor.

Play Areas

Thanks to a grant from Variety, the Children’s Charity, MercyOne has two play areas – one in the main lobby and one in the postpartum waiting area – for siblings to use while visiting the hospital.

MercyOne childbirthBirthing Suites

The birthing area is located in our East Tower and separated into three different floors with four areas. The fourth floor in the tower is dedicated to their Level III neonatal intensive care unit. Third floor is dedicated to labor and delivery, antepartum and the OB ED. Second floor is dedicated to postpartum recovery and the newborn nursery. By keeping areas together but separate, they are able to provide dedicated services to patients with specific needs. The areas also include accommodations for birthing partners, and they support moms who choose to have their baby “room in” with them.

Lactation Support

For moms choosing to breastfeed or pump, MercyOne offers dedicated lactation consultants to assist you. You can choose to have your insurance-covered breast pump delivered to your room by a lactation nurse (your choice of Spectra or Medela). They also have human donor milk available for newborns who need supplementation for medical reasons. If you get home and realize you need assistance, you can either attend the Breastfeeding: Mommy & Me class (see below) or set up an appointment with a lactation specialist by calling 515-358-2082.

Safety Questions

Before you go home, their car seat technicians and staff can help you with your car seat and answer any safety questions or help educate you about your car seat.

For families who may experience a loss, our Perinatal Hospice and Bereavement Program is available to help them.

Parent Testimonials

I just wanted to reach out and tell you how amazing our doula was! She went above and beyond for us and I couldn’t love her more. We had our successful VBAC baby March 15 and Megan spent the entire time (about 20 hours) with us at the hospital. We couldn’t have done it without her calming presence and support. Thank you for hooking us up with her! We feel so blessed. – VBAC mom

I wanted to write to you to express my gratitude to you, your educational staff, and your doulas. We were very impressed with the educational program for expecting parents. Every event and class we participated in was extremely helpful and enjoyable. Your knowledgeable educational staff and doulas really changed our experience. – First-time dad

I wanted to say thank you for everything. For helping organize all the classes at Mercy and also for teaching our prenatal classes! We learned so much. I truly believe with having obtained all the information in your classes allowed everything to go as smoothly as it did. A huge thank you for everything! All the Mercy education staff has provided us with amazing information and helped this process go amazing. Thanks again! – First-time parents

Upcoming Events

For anyone planning to start a family or who is already expecting, MercyOne offers Great Expectations and Stork Affair twice a year. Each event offers educational information and tours. Stork Affair also includes a vendor hall, expanded classes and prizes. The following dates are for 2020:

Great Expectations: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., January 21 and June 23

Stork Affair: 8:30 a.m-1 p.m., April 4 and September 19

Breastfeeding Classes

MercyOne offers a monthly breastfeeding support group for moms and babies. Breastfeeding: Mommy & Me meets the second and fourth Tuesday each month from 11 a.m. to noon. Registration is not required and the event is free. You can ask questions of the lactation consultants, get help with positioning, weigh your baby and more.

Connect with MercyOne

MercyOne.org/desmoines/baby

Classes are listed at MercyOne.org/babyevents

Twitter: @MercyOneDSM

Facebook: @mercyonedesmoines

Instagram: @mercyonedesmoines

Pinterest: @MercyOneDesMoines

Questions? Email [email protected]

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