Maternity Center

We know each birth experience is unique and our nurses are always available to help and offer support as you become acquainted with your baby.

Our nurses are specially trained to offer you the care that you and your newborn will need before and during the first few days after birth. If the need arises, Blank Children's Hospital physicians and specialists are on hand to provide neonatal support.

Labor, delivery and recovery all take place in the same room, allowing mom and family to remain in one location during their stay. State-of-the-art surgical suites are also available right on the maternity unit to ensure that they are available when needed.

What happens if you are admitted to the Maternity Center in premature labor and you are ready to deliver before your OB provider arrives? At Iowa Methodist we have 24/7 physician coverage to care for you and your family while your primary OB provider is on their way.

Called an OB ED, a board certified OB/GYN (hospitalist) is available at Iowa Methodist around the clock to respond to OB emergencies, care for patients until their own provider arrives and to care for patients who do not have a health care provider. This means our patients will get direct attention from a physician when they need it.

The OB hospitalist will assess your labor, order any lab work and provide a safe delivery in the absence of your own OB. In case of an emergency, the hospitalist is ready to respond immediately. Your primary OB provider will take over the management of your delivery when they arrive.

The OB ED is located on the Iowa Methodist Medical Center Campus. Park in the lot off of Woodland Avenue on the south side of the hospital and enter through the Powell entrance (look for the blue awning.) The OB ED is located just inside the Powell entrance.

Talk to your OB provider if you have further questions about the OB ED program at Iowa Methodist Medical Center.

Our experienced nursing staff works closely with the physicians and midwives to provide you with the high quality and personalized care you and your family deserve.

Who delivers at Iowa Methodist Medical Center?

The following UnityPoint Clinic locations deliver downtown, along with our partners at The Iowa Clinic.

• OB/GYN - Ankeny
• OB/GYN - Clive
• OB/GYN - Lakeview
• OB/GYN - Methodist Plaza
• OB/GYN - Waukee
• Midwife Services

Talk to an OB provider at one of the locations above to see if Iowa Methodist may be the option for you.

Please complete the hospital pre-registration form at 20-24 weeks in your pregnancy.

Becoming a new parent is an exciting time. We offer a number of birth and baby care classes to help you prepare for this new adventure. Learn about what to expect during delivery, tips on comfort measures during childbirth, prepare yourself for breastfeeding, learn how to bathe your baby and so much more!

• Free Online Parenting Classes
• Free Online Postpartum Education
• Educacion De Parto Espanol
• Grandparent Academy

Planning for a baby can be one of the most exciting times of your life, but also one of the most demanding times. Pondering names, redesigning spaces in your home, and getting all of the equipment an infant needs are just a few of the things that will consume many hours during pregnancy. Choosing the right health care provider should be included on your list of things to do before your baby is born.

Install your baby's car seat a few weeks before your due date and be sure you have the right car seat. UnityPoint Health maternity teams cannot install car seats for patients. However, you may be able to schedule an appointment with a certified car seat technician to help install your car seat, depending on your location. Find a Certified Car Seat Technician.

Visit the Hannah Geneser Learning Center & Safety Store located inside Iowa Methodist Medical Center for car seats, strollers and car safety products.

 

We recommend that you pre-register for your delivery between 20 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. You can pre-register by filling out our online birth pre-registration form or by completing the pre-registration form that you received in your maternity center folder at your OB office. If you have any questions about your pre-registration, please submit a question to our team.

Please refer to the instructions given by your provider about when to come to the hospital if you think you are in labor.

Positioning devices to use during labor includes but is not limited to:

• Birthing balls
• Peanut balls
• CUB pillows
• Birthing chair
• Squat bar
• Mirrors and more

Please let your nurse know upon arrival that you would like to use a positioning device.

If you've been scheduled to deliver via C-section, here is some helpful information to review in advance.

 

Si se le ha programado una cesárea, aquí hay información para repasar de antemano.

No, we do not offer water births at this time. Whirlpool tubs are available if mothers would like to labor in the tub, but once a certain labor point is reached, you will be asked to get out of the tub and prepare for delivery.

We partner with Blank Children's Hospital to provide 24/7 on-site neonatal support. Nothing is more important to you than the health and safety of your baby, and we are committed to ensuring the best possible care to our patients, especially our tiniest ones.

If your baby's provider is unable to visit him/her in the hospital, an on-call pediatrician will see your baby while you are in the hospital. All pertinent records will be sent to your child's provider's office for follow-up after being discharged.

At our Maternity Center, it is the OB provider or someone from the circumcision team that performs the circumcision. If you have any questions about this procedure, please talk with your provider.

Yes! It is now standard of care to delay cord clamping as long as mom and baby are both doing ok. Let your labor and delivery nurse know about your preference on delayed cord clamping and talk to your provider at any prenatal visits.

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Home Care is proud to offer a selection of products for new moms and their babies for purchase.These items include Medela and Spectra breast pumps, supplies, nursing bras, tanks and cover-ups. The Home Care store is located in the Methodist Plaza Atrium and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call (515) 241-4663 with questions.

It is not recommended that most store-bought breast pumps be shared. By sharing a breast pump, the risk of infection and contamination is increased. If a mother chooses to use a previously owned pump, it is recommended to replace all parts including tubing.

It would be best to look at the manufacturer's guidelines and manual to see if it is a closed or open system. Some pumps do not have a closed system and milk can get into the motor. If the Hepatitis B virus is in the milk of the previous owner, it can dry within the motor. When the pump is used again it can reactivate the virus.

 Note: Hospital grade rental pumps purchased from UnityPoint at Home have a closed system, allowing them to be used more than once.

We recommend this class to all pregnant women who wish to learn more about breastfeeding. You will learn the art of breastfeeding, what to expect during the beginning days and what support resources are available after you leave the hospital.

Following the birth of your baby, our consultants will answer any questions you may have and will help educate you on how best to meet your breastfeeding goals. You may ask your nurse to speak with a lactation consultant at any time during your hospital stay. Our consultants are available for inpatient visits seven days a week and provide coverage at both of our maternity centers.

If breastfeeding questions or concerns arise after you return home, our consultants can help with any breastfeeding challenges you may face, including positioning, latch-on, engorgement and low milk supply. Our goal is to provide you with the help you need to reach your breastfeeding goals. Call 515-241-6570 to schedule a one-on-one outpatient visit. You may receive a bill depending on your insurance. You can contact your insurance provider to find out if they cover outpatient visits with a lactation consultant.