Mercy West Lakes Birthing Services offers low-risk moms an alternative location for their full-term baby's arrival. Mercy West Lakes features ten private labor, delivery, recovery and post-partum (LDRP) suites that blend warmth and comfort of a home-like setting. The technology and equipment your doctor and nurses need is in the suite, and is neatly tucked away out of sight when not in use.  

At Mercy West Lakes, the entire birthing process and recovery take place in the same room. Without having to move between rooms, you will enjoy a pleasant, private birth experience. In the event
that you’d required a C-section delivery, we’re prepared with a dedicated cesarean surgical suite to welcome your little one into the world. We offer a variety of pain relief methods, including anesthesia services and epidurals to help you feel more at ease.

In the unlikely event that your baby needs additional care we will work with the neonatal transport team from Mercy's Central Campus and will arrange for you to be transferred to the Mother/Baby Unit located on Mercy's Central Campus.

Each sun-lit suite at Mercy West Lakes includes state-of-the-art technology and amenities such as: 

• Flat panel television with DVD/CD players (movies on demand are available)
• Accommodations for support person
• Dining area
• Wireless Internet
• Air-jet tub
• Room service for all meals
• GetWell Network for online patient education
• Telemetry fetal monitoring which allows you to be moving around or in the air-jet tub during labor

We realize that sometimes moms need time to themselves to rest and recuperate and the newborn nursery will be available for your little one 24-hours a day.

Pain management options
Most moms to-be are nervous about the potential pain from labor and delivery. The amount of pain you will experience
will be different than your sister or best friend—and can be influenced greatly by your preparation for it. Attending
childbirth education classes is helpful to educate yourself about the birthing experience.
At Mercy, our staff will provide you with many options to help minimize pain during labor. We will do our best to accommodate
you with pain-relieving techniques of your choice (be sure to complete the birth communication tool on page 15 after
referencing the pain medication preference scale on page 17). Remember, the safety of you and your baby is always the first
consideration.

Mercy offers the following options for labor pain management:
• Breathing techniques
• Touch or massage
• Relaxation
• Music
• Position changes
• Medications (including epidural and intrathecal)
• Aromatherapy
• Water therapy with whirlpool tubs

Infant Security
Mercy West Lakes Mother/Baby Unit provides a safe environment for you and your baby. You will find comfort in knowing Mercy has a state-of-the-art security system in place to keep your newborn safe in the hospital. In addition to our security system, we have other safety measures in place to help protect your baby.

Newborn Hearing Screen
All newborns at Mercy are given an initial hearing test to determine if further follow up is needed. This test will not determine
if your baby is hearing impaired, but will indicate if further testing should be done when he or she is a few weeks older.

Birth Certificates and Social Security Number
Before you go home, a nurse or social worker will instruct you on how to complete your birth certificate worksheet. You’ll
need to provide two legal forms of identification before Mercy will collect and send it to the state of Iowa. You will receive
your baby’s social security card and birth certificate in approximately 12 weeks. Mercy has maternity Notary Publics if you
should need this service. The State of Iowa assesses a $35 fee to file a birth certificate and has asked Mercy to collect this
fee. This charge will show on the statement you receive following your discharge from Mercy. Your insurance carrier
does not reimburse this fee; it is an obligation of new parents to pay. The fee is waived for those whose expenses are paid
by the state’s medical assistance program (Title XIX).

You are able to apply for a social security number for your baby by checking “yes” on the birth certificate worksheet. The
social security card will be mailed to your home in approximately 90 days.