Birth Center

You will need to establish care with one of our providers in the Women's Health Center before you deliver. We have doctors and midwives to choose from. Call the Women's Health Center at 507-646-1478 to make an appointment. Learn more about pregancy care.

In person tours for expecting parents are offered on the second Monday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. You can take a tour of a delivery room, learn about monitoring, try out birth aids and ask questions. Registration is required. Email babyclasses@northfieldhospital.org. Please note tours may be cancelled if Birth Center is busy.

Take an online video tour of the Birth Center here.

Take 360 degree room tours of our water birth suite, patient rooms, labor and delivery room, soaking tubs, nursery and c-section suite here.

We know the birthing experience is a very special time for you and your family! The Birth Center welcomes over 500 new babies into the world each year. We offer a nurturing, family-centered and safe environment that allows you to focus on the miracle of your new baby. Families really enjoy the continuity of care as many will have the same nurse the day after delivery as during. They understand your journey and your personal and baby care education needs.

Classes offered include: Prepared Childbirth, Baby Basics, Breastfeeding Basics, Birth Planning Session, Baby Talk and Clase Prenatal para Latinos. Get detailed information on Classes.

1. Patient Registration Form(link is external) - This form collects information we need to get your registered before you come to the hospital.
   1. Form in English(link is external)
   2. Formulario en español(link is external)
2. My Birth Plan Form(link is external) - A birth plan lets us know your wishes for your child's birth. You will answer questions regarding your birth experience: labor, delivery, baby care/feeding education needs, etc. This helps us to provide the individualized care you want during your delivery.
   1. Form in English(link is external)
   2. Formulario en español(link is external)

Call the Hospital if you experience any of the following:

(Please call 507-646-1205 to let us know you are on your way)

1. You feel like your water broke. It can be a gush, or sometimes an on-going trickle or watery discharge.  Do not wait until contractions start to come into the hospital.
2. Regular contractions that are around 5 minutes apart and getting more intense for an hour before you come in. 
3. Bleeding that is bright red and similar to a menstrual cycle or if you pass any blood clots. This is an indication for you to come to the hospital immediately. Even if it is not accompanied by any pain or discomfort.
4. Decrease in your babies activity.
5. Any elevation of temperature above 100.4º F.
6. You have a sense that something doesn’t feel right.

Common Signs of Early Labor

1. Irregular contractions. You can monitor by:
   1. Place your hands lightly on each side of your abdomen.
   2. If your uterus tightens beneath your hands, you are contracting, whether you experience pain or not.
   3. Time from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next. This lets you know how often you are contracting.
   4. Time the length of the contraction as the amount of time your uterus feels tightened. This tells you how long your contractions are.
2. Bloody show or small amounts of bloody mucous (pink, brown, red) is normal and may or may not accompany the start of labor. It is common for this to occur after a vaginal exam or intercourse.
3. Mucous discharge, or commonly known as your “mucous plug”, may or may not be associated with labor.
4. Things to consider when in early labor:
   1. Lie on left side.
   2. Rest.
   3. Drink a bottle or large glass of water.
   4. Monitor your symptoms for 1 hour.
      1. If symptoms worsen or stay the same, call and come to Birth Center to be evaluated.
      2. If symptoms subside, continue to rest, and stay hydrated.

You are always welcome to call and come into the Birth Center at anytime!

Here is a list of over-the-counter medications that are safe to take during pregnancy.

Mom:  

• Bathing/Shower supplies
• Clothes for going home
• Music of your choice
• Snacks for support person/you
• Robe/nightgown
• Comfortable clothing if you choose to wear your own
• Flip flop/ slippers (walking around)
• Entertainment (books, games, etc.)

Baby:

• Outfit for going home
• Pacifiers (if using)
• T-shirt/onesie
• Blankets (receiving, etc.)
• Car seat (with no aftermarket products- snow suit, toys etc.)

We provide you with education and support to help make breastfeeding a positive experience for you and your new baby. While you are in the hospital, our International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and lactation trained nurses, will help you through each step of breastfeeding to ensure your baby has a healthy start to life. Once you are home, you can make an appointment to meet with the lactation consultant one-on-one to provide additional support, discuss problems and answer your questions. We also encourage you to attend Baby Talk, a weekly support group for new moms. Lactation questions are addressed there by our lactation consultant. Learn more about Lactation Services.

Having a baby is an exciting time in your life. If this is your first baby or your fourth, you probably have lots of questions. We’re here to help. As experienced pediatricians and family medicine doctors, we can help you learn how to take care of your baby and answer your questions. We’ll follow you and your baby through these first few months of check-ups all the way to becoming an adult. We take pride in building a positive, supportive relationship with you and your child. We get to really know you and your child and take the time to listen and help. 

After your baby is born one of our providers will see your child every day and talk to you about their care. We will also assist in finding a provider and a clinic in your area for your baby before you leave the hospital. Ask any of the Birth Center staff about our providers. Get detailed information on Pediatrics.

Staff at the Birth Center and throughout the Northfield Hospital are thoroughly trained to respect the confidentiality of all patients by not discussing medical and family issues with others.  We ask that you also respect the privacy of other patients and their families by not discussing their medical care with us. Thank you.

Feel free to call us anytime at 507-646-1205 with questions or concerns. We look forward to caring for you and your new family.

A doula is a non-medical, trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and shortly after childbirth.

A doula is not a member of the Northfield Hospital + Clinic’s health care team. They are allowed in deliveries. If you have a c-section, you are allowed one person in the OR so your doula may not be able to attend.

NH+C does not provide doulas. Using a doula is a personal choice and the doula is hired by and paid for by you.