Courtesy of Mercy
For expectant mothers who are hoping to have natural, at-home births but are worried about medical complications, Mercy Hospital St. Louis is creating an environment to give them the best of both worlds. This September, the $1.5 million Mercy Birthing Center will offer the St. Louis area’s first in-hospital, low-risk birthing center run by certified nurse midwives.
The four birthing suites in the center feature a homey feel with queen-sized beds, showers, neutral color schemes, and large tubs, in addition to a central living room area with a kitchen, space for childbirth classes, and prenatal visits. If complications occur, medical treatment is close by.
“We listened to the community and found that many women want a home-like birth with support of a midwife,” said Trish Geldbach, vice president of Women’s Services at Mercy. “While natural births are done every day in our Labor and Birth suites, this new Birthing Center will offer women an alternative to birthing at home with the safety net of medical care an elevator ride away.”
Expectant mothers work with their midwives every month of the pregnancy and can take classes on natural childbirth, nutrition, and fitness. After babies are born, most families can go home with their families within four to 12 hours and return for a follow-up a few days later.
Although the center doesn’t open until the fall, patients are being accepted now to start working with their midwives.
