Birth Center
Delivering Amazing Babies Every Day
Last year nearly 2,400 babies were born at St. Luke's Birth Care Center. St. Luke's is Cedar Rapids' Baby Hospital, which means four out of five babies born in Cedar Rapids celebrate their birthday at St. Luke's.
Our Center for Women's and Children's Health is exceptional in delivering the highest quality of care with a strong family-centered focus. You will find our facilities and staff deeply committed to serving you and your family. We are very proud of our maternity, NICU and pediatric services and we strive to make every experience as special and unique as each birth!
A Welcoming Place for Your Growing Family
Enjoy all the comforts of home and exceptional, family-centered care from St. Luke’s experienced staff. It all happens in the most advanced facilities to care for newborns in the region. It's easy to see why more families choose St. Luke's for this special occasion.
Contact Us
| Department | Contact |
|---|---|
| Birth Care Center | (319) 369-7264 |
| Birth Care Tours | (319) 369-8129 |
| Lactation Services | (319) 369-8944 |
Family-Centered Care
Having a baby involves your entire family, and St. Luke's makes it possible for them to be present. We make room for all the family members you want to involve, and we'll follow your lead throughout the birth process. Our family-centered approach also means you and your baby will share the same nurse and your baby will be in your room with you as much as you want.
Tour St. Luke's Birth Suites
We realize you have a choice where you deliver. As part of your decision-making process, we invite you to see firsthand the difference our family-centered care makes.
Our in-person tours, conducted in a group setting, are scheduled for:
- 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays
- 4 p.m. on Sundays
The duration of the tour is 90 minutes to two hours. In consideration of all participants, we kindly request that no children attend.
During your visit, our nurses will help you plan for your birth, answer your questions and address your special requests. You'll learn about the safety measures we have in place, our private birth suites, Level III NICU and see why four out of five families choose to deliver with us.
To reserve your spot, please call (319) 369-8129 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If you need to cancel a scheduled visit, please call (319) 369-8129. For any additional questions, please contact our tour guides at (319) 369-7183.
Next Steps
Pre-Register for Your Delivery
Please complete this form at 18-20 weeks in your pregnancy.
Birth Care Pre-RegistrationChildbirth Education Classes
BabyCenter's online childbirth classes will help you learn the signs and stages of labor, explore ways to manage your pain, discover the keys to a positive birth and much more.
Online Class RegistrationWhy St. Luke's is the Better Choice
Preparing for Baby
Whether you're just starting to plan or getting ready to meet your new baby, St. Luke's is here with the classes, resources and support you need to feel prepared.
Expert NICU Care in Cedar Rapids
St. Luke's is the only Level III Maternal and Neonatal Center as determined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in the Cedar Rapids area. Other hospitals transfer newborns to St. Luke's when they need specialized care.
- Our NICU Team
- Family-Centered, Supportive Care
- Neonatal Transport
- NICU Follow-Up Clinic
- NICU Graduate Apparel
Neonatologists – 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
Our NICU team includes the area's most experienced neonatologists and staff. In addition, St. Luke's ranks among the best hospitals in the world in providing NICU care for babies who are 22-23 gestational weeks and up. We provide high frequency ventilation for the smallest babies, and provide inhaled nitric oxide for babies with pulmonary hypertension in addition to many other services.
Except in very rare occasions, such as surgical emergencies, your baby should NEVER have to be transferred out of Cedar Rapids. We do accept transfers from Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.
We were the first hospital in the nation to win a NICU Family Centered Care award. What does this mean?
- A developmental care specialist and team provides your baby with an individualized developmental care plan (NIDCAP) during the NICU stay
- Our neonatologists provide outpatient consults for high-risk pregnancies
- Private suites are individualized for each baby to promote faster healing and growth
- As a parent, you are involved in your baby's care throughout the NICU stay
- You can use our family lounge
- Sleep rooms are available so families can remain close to their baby
- You can also comfortably room in the NICU suite so you can remain close to your baby
- The NICU Family Support program provides support and education for your family
The neonatal transport team provides specialized and expert care for ill infants. Our team of highly trained and experienced nurses work to stabilize the infant's condition prior to traveling while the nurse is in communication with the neonatologists. Ongoing communication is provided to the parents and referring facility until the family can be reunited with their infant.
To ease your concerns and guide you through the next several months after bringing your baby home from the NICU, St. Luke's monitors the development of high-risk infants that meet certain guidelines who have encountered difficulties during or after birth. Our comprehensive follow-up program is designed just for NICU babies. Each visit provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns.
- Our expert follow-up team includes a pediatric nurse practitioner and a pediatric physical therapist/developmental specialist
- Physical exams and screening tests evaluate your child's physical and developmental progress
- Visits are typically scheduled when babies are four, nine, 18 and 30 months of age
In the event of a delay in growth or development – early intervention and referrals are made to area services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy or Grant Wood Early Intervention Program. Since children grow and develop at different rates, it is important to note that an isolated delay does not always mean a child has a long-term problem.
Purchase "NICU Graduate" clothing for our special NICU graduate babies and their loved ones.
Forty percent of all proceeds will benefit the NICU at St. Luke's.
Breastfeeding & Lactation Consultant Services
Breastfeeding provides numerous benefits for you and your baby.
Our Lactation Consultants are board-certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and are committed to helping you have a positive breastfeeding experience. If you have any questions, please contact one of our Lactation Consultants by calling (319) 369-8944. Please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Breastfeeding Supplies
Breast pumps, pump parts, nursing pillows and other breastfeeding aids are available from our UnityPoint at Home – Home Medical Equipment locations.
Lactation Consultant Services
Breastfeeding Friends Support Group
Whether you're seeking advice, need encouragement, or celebrating milestones, we're here to help.
Children’s Center Wish List
Thank you for supporting the Children's Center at UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's Hospital. Please know that due to patient confidentiality and infection control, donors are unable to deliver the items to patients.
Donations may be dropped off at CWCH or mailed to:
St. Luke's Hospital
Attn: NICU/Peds
1026 A Ave. NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
If you're looking for a quick way to purchase and donate items, you can place an order through our Amazon Wish List.