The “Birthing-Friendly” designation is used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to describe high-quality maternity care. CMS developed this designation as part of its efforts to further advance maternity care quality, safety and equity.

Regions Hospital Birth Center earned this designation by participating in a statewide or national perinatal quality improvement collaborative program and implementing evidence-based quality interventions to improve maternal health.

Yes, our birthing suites are private. You and your loved ones will enjoy a space of your own as you start this new chapter of your life.

Yes, each of our birthing suites has a private shower and hydrotherapy tub that you can use anytime during your stay. We also have two water birthing rooms with dedicated water birthing tubs right in the room.

Enhanced couplet care is for newborns who need a higher level of care but don’t need to go to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In enhanced couplet care, babies stay in the same room as their parents, allowing for better bonding and health outcomes.

Our birth center has a reserved parking garage that you and your visitors can park in for a fee. If the garage is full, the next closest options are Regions’ South or West parking ramps.

The birth center allows visitors to come per your request, though we recommend following hospital visiting hours after delivery to promote your rest and well-being.

Which method of birth is safest for you will depend on a lot of factors, particularly you and your baby’s health as you approach your due date. This is a good conversation to have with your care team during pregnancy. They can explain your options and why one way of giving birth may be better than another.

Your hospital bag should include things that will make your stay and any support person’s stay more comfortable. This might include:

• A copy of your birth plan
• Additional pillows, blankets, comfortable pajamas and slippers
• Toiletries such as a toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant
• Chargers for your personal electronic devices
• Favorite snacks and beverages
• A car seat and outfit for your baby to go home in

Aim to have your hospital bag packed at least a month before your due date. That way you’ll be prepared if you need to come in early.

Yes, we’ll provide you with meals for the duration of your stay at the birth center. We’re proud to offer a variety of meal types for different diets and cultures, including a traditional nqaij qaib hau xyaw tshuaj for our Hmong patients.

From board-certified doctors to experienced lactation consultants, your care team works together to give you the best care. Depending on your needs and birthing options, your team at our birthing center may include:

• Board-certified OB-GYNs – If you choose an OB-GYN to deliver your baby, you can be confident in their education, knowledge, experience and skill. Our OB-GYNs have been certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology as experts in the field.
• Certified nurse-midwives – If you choose a midwife to deliver your baby, know that our midwives meet strict professional standards within the field. The midwives at our birthing center are part of one of the longest-standing midwife practices in the Twin Cities.
• Registered nurses – You’ll have an experienced team of nurses supporting you from the moment you walk into the birth center until the time you’re discharged.
• Infant feeding consultants – However you choose to feed your baby, you’ll have help. Formula can be provided, and all of our registered nurses are trained to provide lactation support. Additionally, lactation consultants are available if you need extra support.
• On-site pediatricians – HealthPartners pediatricians, who have been certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, will care for your baby once they arrive.
• Medical interpreters and translators – We want you and your family to feel supported, no matter which language you speak.

Yes, we support all birthing options, and we welcome doulas at our birth center. We know how important it is to have love and support by your side during labor and delivery, and after your baby is born. Doulas, partners, family members and friends are all welcome.

How much a doula costs depends on factors like your insurance coverage. If you’re a Medicaid member or have MinnesotaCare insurance through HealthPartners, insurance may fully cover the cost of a doula.

Watch our “Value of a doula” video to learn more about why you may want to include a doula in your birth plan. You can watch the video in English, Spanish, Hmong or Somali.

Yes. If you have a low-risk pregnancy, a certified nurse-midwife can deliver your baby.

Your care team will provide you with any medications and all the supplies you and your newborn need to be comfortable while you recover, and to ease the transition back home. This includes linens, pads, disposable briefs, diapers, wipes, onesies, swaddles and formula.

In most cases, yes. You’ll be able to use the tub or shower in your room to soak and relax after you give birth.

Depending on any care you or your baby need after birth, you’ll likely stay in the hospital for 2-3 days before returning home.

When your baby is between 24-48 hours old, we’ll perform the state-required blood spot screening to see if they’re at risk for rare congenital disorders. If you have risk factors for or are diagnosed with a genetic disorder, you’ll receive genetic counseling during pregnancy. If you’re interested in other tests, talk with your care team.

Yes, we will help you complete the birth certificate worksheet and file with the state of Minnesota. You will then have to reach out to the state to get your official copy.

How much it costs to give birth at the birth center depends on the services you receive and your insurance coverage. You can get an idea of what you might pay by using our cost estimate tools.