Birth Center at Immanuel
CHI Health Birth Center at Immanuel is the state’s only birth center inside a full-service hospital. It provides a unique environment that closes the gap between home birthing and traditional hospital birthing suites.
CHI Health Birth Center at Immanuel offers a warm environment where women will find health care that meets their needs, respects their choices and encourages participation. The home-like atmosphere and professional yet personal nature of the staff embody the basic idea that birth is a normal and powerful event.
We help establish an intimate connection through personal prenatal care between the mother, the family and the midwife enhancing the power to give birth that lies within each woman. After delivery, there is no separation between mother and baby, unless unexpected complications arise. All exams and care of the infant is performed in front of the parents so that they may learn more about their baby.
Our Birth Suites
CHI Health Birth Center at Immanuel offers two beautiful birth suites that feature a queen-sized bed, free-standing tub and private bathroom. The birthing suites are fully equipped with emergency equipment such as oxygen, intravenous fluids and resuscitation equipment for both mother and baby.
There is a dedicated entrance to the Birth Center – separate from labor and delivery – that provides a quiet and home-like environment for women to birth naturally. Families will be able to enjoy the birth center experience along with the comfort of being connected to a full-service hospital if additional care is needed for mother or baby.
Our Services
The staff at CHI Health Birth Center at Immanuel believe that when women and their families are supported and involved in decisions about their care, they are better equipped to meet the challenges of parenthood and beyond. Our program of care is designed in the wellness model and guided by the principles of prevention, education, sensitivity, safety and appropriate medical intervention.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal care is offered at CHI Health Women's Health Immanuel
- Prenatal appointments
- Detailed discussions about birthing options
- Personalized birth plan
- Education classes, including childbirth preparation
Labor and Delivery
We journey with you through the process of childbirth, and our labor support includes:
- Personalized, professional and individualized care to meet your specific plans and requests
- Encouragement and support using non-pharmacologic methods of pain relief including massage, aromatherapy, position changes, subnormal sterile water injections, acupressure, hydrotherapy, water birth and mare.
- Nitrous oxide as needed to promote relaxation
- Freedom of movement
- Attendance of a registered nurse during your birth and afterwards
- A relaxing herbal bath with your baby after your birth
- Initial newborn exam
- Discharge from the birth center 6-12 hours after the big event
- Consultation, collaboration and referral as needed for more specialized care
If a mother requires or desires transfer to the hospital before or during childbirth, the midwives will continue to provide care. If a newborn requires hospitalization after delivery, a neonatologist is ready to respond.
Postpartum Care
- Breastfeeding support
- Initial newborn evaluation
- Initial newborn required tests: metabolic screen, hearing screen, congenital heart disease screen
- Home visit for postpartum and newborn follow-up
- Qualified obstetric and pediatric referral if necessary
Common Questions:
Can anybody have a baby at the birth center?
Our Birthing Center was designed for healthy, low-risk mothers and healthy babies. Birth is a normal process and intervention is typically not needed for healthy mothers. If you are healthy and have no chronic medical problems you will probably be eligible for a birth center delivery.
Your CHI Health midwife will follow a set of criteria used to determine if this location is a good fit for you and your baby. Extensive prenatal screening is in place to ensure that any potential problem is caught early. You will be evaluated at each prenatal visit, on admission to the birth center and throughout the labor process.
Intense education on your part is needed throughout your pregnancy including an orientation class, CHI Health childbirth preparation, breastfeeding class and an early discharge class. A healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet, a regular exercise program and no substance use is mandatory.
How is CHI Health Birth Center at Immanuel different than hospital-based care?
CHI Health midwives who deliver at the birth center treat pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period as a normal healthy part of life. The midwives pride themselves on giving families information to make informed health care decisions. The prenatal visits are a minimum of 30 minutes so that your midwives have the chance to get to know you and answer all of your questions.
You are required to drink in labor and eating is encouraged. Positions for labor and birth are not restricted. Your baby will be placed in your arms immediately after birth and the practice of delayed physiologic cord clamping is standard. Each family receives careful guidance the first few hours after birth and discharge home is typically 6-12 hours. Our rigorous prenatal education ensures that families are well educated about the early postpartum and newborn periods and feel comfortable leaving at that time.
What happens if I become ineligible for a Birth Center delivery during my pregnancy?
Your CHI Health midwife will follow you throughout your labor and delivery care. A transfer may mean more careful monitoring or a small intervention. A midwife may still be able to provide care for you under these circumstances. Even if your care is transferred to the hospital or a physician, the CHI Health midwife can continue to be involved in your care and emotional support.
I want to make an appointment! How do I do this?
Please call the CHI Health Women's Health Clinic at Immanuel at (402) 572-3790 to make an appointment with one of our CHI Immanuel midwives. Clinic hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm monday through friday. Prior to your appointment print out and fill in the routine paperwork found here. If you cannot fill this out prior to your appointment, we encourage you to arrive 30 minutes before your appointment so that you and your midwife will have time to talk and answer questions.