Maternity Center
Methodist West Maternity Center
Congratulations on your pregnancy! At our maternity center, you will find experienced and caring physicians, midwives, nurses and support staff who will help you welcome the newest member of your family. We believe in a family-centered approach to maternity care. Our team is here to respond to your needs with the highest level of skill, professionalism and compassion.
Supporting you during each stage of your labor, delivery and recovery.
Preparing for Your Baby
Whether you are pregnant with your first baby or expecting your fourth, we are here to care for you throughout your pregnancy, delivery and after your baby's birth. The following information is meant to give you a good overview of what to expect during pregnancy and some of the things you should be thinking about.
Pregnancy Checklist
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. Methodist West Hospital is an option for your delivery if you are identified as having a healthy, low-risk pregnancy.
Who delivers at Methodist West Hospital?
The following UnityPoint Clinic locations deliver at Methodist West, 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 Methodist West may be an option for you.
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.
Virtual Maternity Center Tour
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some of the commonly asked questions our maternity center receives.
Delivery
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.
Breastfeeding
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.
Delivering Your Baby
Arrival Instructions
Be sure to ask your health care provider if there are any special arrival instructions for you to follow.
- Park in front of the hospital (east side) from 60th Street.
- From 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., the main entrance is open. After hours, please use the emergency entrance.
- After entering the hospital, take the elevators to the fifth floor. You will enter the maternity center reception area after stepping off the elevator.
The safety and security of you and your baby during your stay at the hospital is very important to us. In order to protect the safety of our patients, we are not able to give specific details about our security system, but rest assured knowing that we have put a number of measures in place to keep you both safe. The following are a few things that you and your family can do to help keep safety a priority.
- All hospital employees wear unique photo ID badges that show their name and title. Do not let anyone take your baby unless they have a hospital ID badge with their name, title and picture on it.
- If you are not sure about someone who wants to take your baby, call your nurse or ask to accompany your baby.
- Never leave your baby alone. If you go to the bathroom, take your baby with you in the bassinet or leave your baby with someone you trust.
- For safety and security reasons, please keep your baby in the bassinet when transporting your baby outside of your room.
- Newspaper Announcements - The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children discourages hospitals and parents from publishing birth announcements in local newspapers because a small number of infant abductions have been linked to those announcements. So to protect our patients' privacy and safety, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical Center does not submit birth announcements to area newspapers.
Lactation Services
The decision to breastfeed is a personal one. Breastfeeding provides numerous benefits for you and your baby - and is a beautiful and natural way to bond. Our qualified Lactation Services staff is here to provide extensive breastfeeding and education support. If you have any questions, please contact one of our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) by calling (515) 241-6570. Please leave a message if your call is not answered, and we will respond as soon as possible.
Our Services
Safe Sleep Education
Find an OB/GYN or Midwife
Our maternity center works closely with physicians and midwives to provide you with the high quality and personalized care you and your family deserve.
Birth & Baby Care Classes
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.