There is perhaps no more special time for a woman and her family than the birth of a child.
Mercy Iowa City recognizes how special this time is and offers attentive and highly skilled maternity care, shaped to the needs of each mother and family.
Babies don't come with instruction manuals . . . but Mercy Iowa City can help. Sign up for one or both free e-newsletters:
Weekly Pregnancy e-newsletter 
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- Updates on baby’s development
- Advice for staying healthy
- Helpful tips and interactive tools
Monthly New Parent e-newsletter - sign up now
- Updates on child development
- News about children’s health
- Parenting tips and interactive tools
Before You Are Expecting
Mercy's very first class offering is for couples who are just considering starting a family. It's called Preparing for Pregnancy and is offered twice a year. This one-session class covers pre-pregnancy health and medical issues, medications, and financial considerations. For information about the next class, check Mercy's calendar of events or contact Mercy On Call by e-mail or by phone at 358-2767 or 800-358-2767.
Finding A Doctor
Good prenatal care is vital. There are a number of physicians in Iowa City and southeast Iowa-both family practice doctors and obstetricians-that provide prenatal care in their offices and deliver babies at Mercy. If you would like a nurse to help you make an appointment with a Mercy doctor, call Mercy On Call at 358-2767 or 800-358-2767, or visit www.findamercydoctor.com.
During pregnancy, Mercy physicians will be able to provide extensive information about Mercy's classes and maternity care.
Learning Opportunities
To help moms prepare for pregnancy and children, Mercy offers classes for every stage:
- Easing through Pregnancy (for the first and second trimesters)
- Childbirth Preparation
- Childbirth Education
- Labor and Delivery Basics
- Beginning with Baby
- Breastfeeding and More Group
- Breastfeeding Class
- Pregnancy & Diabetes Education
- New Brother/New Sister
- Infant Massage
- Heartsaver Baby
- Put Safety First
- Car Seat Safety
- Happiest Baby on the Block
Click here for information about these classes, or contact Mercy On Call by e-mail or by phone at 358-2767 or 800-358-2767.
Financial Matters
Financial planners are available to answer any questions you may have about insurance coverage, co-insurance, and payment arrangements.
For qualified patients, Mercy offers a financial assistance program.
To reach Mercy's financial planning office, call 339-3616 or toll-free 800-637-2942, ext. 3616.
In the Hospital
Mercy offers a comfortable and home-like setting for baby's birth, the safety and comfort of modern medicine and technology, and a highly skilled, caring nursing staff.
Mercy's nursing care is very special. Mother and baby are cared for together-as a new "couple"-by the same team of nurses from admission through discharge.
Mercy's labor and delivery area provides Labor/Delivery/Recovery rooms (LDR) as well as one traditional cesarean delivery room.
When mom and baby are ready, about two hours after delivery, they move to a room in the postpartum area. It offers a homelike environment where family is welcome.
Security
Your safety and your baby's safety are very important. For this reason, Mercy has in place a number of security measures, including video cameras, special staff identification badges, and strict nursery policies. The maternity nurses will explain these measures after baby's birth.
Visitors
Visitors are limited in labor and delivery.
In the postpartum area, children are welcome to visit, but must be supervised by an adult at all times and be considerate of other patients.
Breastfeeding or Bottle Feeding?
Whatever you choose for your baby, support and education will be available. The majority of Mercy moms breastfeed initially, with support available from lactation consultants and a knowledgeable staff. If you have questions, please call Mercy's lactation consultants at 339-3975, or toll-free 800-637-2942, ext. 3975.
Home Visits
Mercy provides a free home visit from qualified nursing staff after you return home with your baby. Arrangements for your home visit will be made after you deliver.
Want A Tour?
Mercy's birth care classes offer tours of the maternity unit.
If you would like to schedule an individual tour, please call Mercy's maternity unit directly at 339-3576.
For more information about maternal/child health visit Mercy's Health Library
Sign up for Mercy's My Health e-newsletter and choose from topics that interest you.