Unique health care services for women

Mercy Hospital is dedicated to providing the best in comprehensive and coordinated health care services for women and their families.

Throughout the various stages of a woman's life, we provide exceptional health care designed specifically for addressing a woman's lifelong health care needs.

In addition to providing quality medical services and the latest in treatment options, we place an emphasis on creating healthy lifestyles and in helping women prevent illnesses. With screenings, disease prevention programs, early detection and diagnostic services, treatment and education - we provide a full range of services and programs to assist women with their personal health care goals.

Our women's health care services are easily accessible and provided by a variety of health care professionals in a respectful, comfortable and supportive environment. Our physicians, nurses and other health care professionals listen carefully to your concerns and provide you with information on all of your care options so that you can make the most informed medical decisions.

Family birth center

Choosing a hospital for the birth of your baby is a big decision. The Family Birth Center at Mercy Hospital provides comprehensive birth services in a comfortable, responsive, family-centered environment - right in your neighborhood.

We are committed to making your birth experience as natural, safe and joyful as it can be. We deliver more than 2,500 babies each year, yet every birth is a precious and unique experience.

We're honored to be a part of this special time in your life

We understand that the quality of care you receive during the birthing experience is essential for you and your baby's health as well as your emotional well-being.

Your care team is highly trained to provide delivery, post-partum and newborn care for you and your baby throughout your time here.

• private rooms equipped with everything for labor and delivery
• two on-site surgery suites for cesarean deliveries
• level II special care nursery for premature and special-needs babies
• 24-hour care of babies and mothers by pediatric physicians, neonatologists and nurse practitioners
• personalized care by skilled, compassionate nurses
• webcam for military and other off-site dads to participate in the birth
• lactation services to help you get started breastfeeding and a 24-hour hotline for questions after you return home
• on-site classes and easy-to-access videos on labor and delivery, newborn care, breastfeeding and other topics.

While you are here

The Mercy Family Birth Center is an exceptional place for your family to begin. We are flexible in meeting every mother's personal wishes.

Labor and delivery

At the birth center, you experience labor and deliver your child in the same private room. Family members and visitors are welcome to join you, and you are encouraged to rest and learn about your new baby.

Postpartum

After recovery, you are transferred to a private room in the family-centered care unit.

Nursery

You are welcome to keep your new baby with you as much as you like. However, if you would like some private time, the nursery is available to care for your baby.

If you or your baby need specialized care

Most women have uncomplicated pregnancies and births and take healthy babies home. However, we are prepared to handle complications. Premature babies receive specialized care in the level II nursery, where parents are encouraged to spend as much time as they'd like with their baby.

Read one mother's story on pages 4-5 in Healthy Communities Magazine.

Special Care Nursery - Level II

Physicians with The Minnesota Neonatal Physicians, P.A. at Minneapolis Children's Hospital are available in the special care nursery at Mercy Hospital. They collaborate with our neonatal nurse practitioners who are available 24 hours a day and provide care or consulting for many of the babies admitted to the special care nursery.

If your infant requires more intensive care, your baby can be transferred to Children's Hospitals in Minneapolis, which is recognized as one of the top neonatal programs by US News and World Report. When babies are ready, they can be transferred back to Mercy Hospital's Level II nursery until they can go home.

Breastfeeding support

We would like to make your breastfeeding experience successful. Nurses and our internationally board-certified lactation consultants provide individualized counseling, information and support before, during and after your stay at Mercy Hospital.

• prenatal breastfeeding classes
• resources for development of a breastfeeding plan
• phone consultation.

Mothers (or support persons) of babies delivered at Mercy Hospital can leave a message at 763-236-7430 about their breastfeeding concerns. Calls are returned and questions answered by a lactation educator. In addition, outpatient appointments with a lactation nurse can be scheduled by calling 763-236-7430.

The doctors, nurses and caregivers at the Mercy Family Birth Center are your partners in your exciting journey of pregnancy and birth. We're committed to helping make your birth experience positive and meaningful.

Specialized care for women with high-risk pregnancies

We offer personalized care and consultation, monitoring and treatment of pregnancy complications. If your primary care physician believes that your pregnancy may carry a higher degree of risk than most, we will work with you and your physician to promote the healthiest possible pregnancy and birth.

Specialized, experienced staff

Highly specialized professional experience and skills, state-of-the-art equipment and open communication with you and your doctor are key elements of our service. We also understand your unique emotional needs and value your comfort and peace of mind.

Our professional staff includes:

• Maternal fetal specialists/perinatologists - obstetrician / gynecologists (OB/GYNs) who specialize in maternal-fetal medicine and fetal surgery. Services provided by Minnesota Perinatal Physicians
• Genetic counselors - health professionals with masters' degrees in genetics with an emphasis in counseling
• Neonatal nurse practitioners - registered nurses with specialized training who work with neonatologists
• Skilled nurses - registered nurses with extensive experience in high-risk obstetrical nursing
• Sonographers - registered ultrasound technologists with training to recognize well-being or signs of abnormalities in unborn babies
• Pediatric cardiologists

Specialty services

Consultation and care

Our maternal fetal specialists/perinatologists provide the following services, with information and recommendations clearly communicated to you and your primary physician:

• Consultation before pregnancy for women who have experienced a previous high-risk pregnancy
• Diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis, chromosome testing conducted in early pregnancy
• Consultation, monitoring or treatment of the mother's medical conditions or pregnancy complications
• Consultation with your primary care physician, available 24 hours a day
• Detailed fetal anatomic exams done through ultrasound examination.
• Antenatal testing

Genetic counseling

Families may be concerned about the potential for birth defects, genetic disorders or other medical problems during the pregnancy. These concerns are often due to maternal age, family history, exposures, ancestry or other issues. Consulting with our genetic counselors may help clarify these risks and the available options to address them. Genetic counselors can:

• Help interpret complex family histories
• Review and select the most appropriate test
• Help interpret genetic test results
• Educate families and facilitate informed decision making about reproductive options, prenatal diagnostic and prenatal screening options, and preventative strategies.

Ultrasound diagnostics

Our ultrasound practice is accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. Using state-of-the-art equipment, our team of sonographers and maternal fetal specialists provides detailed analyses of targeted pregnancy ultrasounds.

For more information

If you are interested in perinatal services, please discuss it with your primary care clinic and ask that they refer you by calling 763-236-7430.

Specialized care for infants, children and teens

When your child is sick or injured, you want the very best medical care available. Mercy Hospital provides a full array of health care and attention in a caring and nurturing environment.

With pediatric specialists in cardiology and neurology, neonatologists and neonatal nurse practitioners - as well as a variey of other health professionals experienced in working with children and their families - our focus is on making infants and children feel safe and secure. Our goal is to coordinate services and treatment for hospitalized children with their community pediatricians and family practice physicians.

Caring for kids: Pediatric hospitalist services

Mercy Hospital is the only Twin Cities suburban community hospital to provide pediatric hospitalists 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What is a pediatric hospitalist?

A pediatric hospitalist is a board-certified physician who is specially trained to care for children while they are in the hospital.

A team of pediatric hospitalists (link this to photos at bottom of page) at Mercy are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to evaluate and care for children. They treat a variety of medical conditions including infections, breathing problems, dehydration and fevers. Parents are updated frequently while their child is hospitalized. The pediatric hospitalists work hand-in-hand with a child's primary care physician to coordinate care and consult on the best methods of treatment.

Children, their parents and referring physicians all benefit from around-the-clock care by Mercy's team of pediatric hospitalists:

• Access to high quality, child-focused medical care
• Ability to answer parents' questions and address concerns quickly and efficiently
• Comprehensive coordination of services provided to pediatric patients - including radiology and lab services, surgery, medications and diagnostic procedures
• Ability to provide pediatric emergency department consultations
• Established partnerships with community pediatricians and primary care physicians

Gynecology

Mercy Hospital provides comprehensive gynecologic care by physicians and staff who are committed to serving women through all stages of their lives.

Many procedures that previously required inpatient care are now offered in an outpatient setting.

These may include microsurgery, laser surgery, laparoscopy, pelviscopy and laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomy.

If you need to stay overnight, nurses with expertise in women's health will care for you in a specially designed unit for women.

Breast care program

The breast care program at Mercy Hospital coordinates breast care services for women in our communities. Our team of health care professionals provides a range of services from routine screening examinations to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Together, our health care team provides services and support to help women make informed decisions about breast care.

Robotic-assisted surgery

If your doctor has recommended major surgery as the best option for treating your condition, you may be a candidate for robotic-assisted surgery. It offers many potential benefits, including shorter hospital stays and a quicker return to daily activities.