FAQs + Resources

This information should not take the place of visiting with your healthcare provider. If you have any additional questions, please call the Birthing Center at 712.755.4244.

Congratulations on Your Pregnancy!

• Welcome to Myrtue Medical Center
• Presumptive Eligibility Information
• Approved Medications for Pregnancy

Where Life's Story Begins...

• Welcome to Myrtue's Birthing Center
• Breastfeeding / Bottle Feeding Help + Resources
• Customize Your Birth Plan
• Pain Management Options during Labor + Delivery
• Printable Birthing Center Information Brochure
• Packing List for Your Stay with Myrtue’s Birthing Center

Pregnancy Support:

• Oral Health During Pregnancy
• Prenatal + Newborn Screening
• Seat Belt Recommendations During Pregnancy
• Vaccines During Pregnancy

• What does it mean if I am bleeding during pregnancy?
• How do I know if I am in labor?
• What should I do if I think my bag of water is leaking?
• What should I take to the hospital with me?

After Baby's Arrival:

• Paternity Affidavit: Legally Establishing the Paternity of a Child Born out of Wedlock
  • How to Establish Paternity and Why I Should
  • Unmarried Parents: What You Need to Know about Legal Fathers
• Postpartum SOS: Spot the Signs + Seek Help
• What Does a Safe Sleep Environment Look Like?
• What Should I do if My Baby Won’t Stop Crying?
• The Period of Purple Crying

Newborn Primary Care

We have a wide range of physicians at Myrtue Medical Center ready to be your newborn's primary care doctor.

AVAILABLE NEWBORN PHYSICANS

• Brian Anderson, DO
• Adam Bendorf, DO (English + Spanish)
• Sarah Devine, MD, Pediatrician
• Jill Ferry, PA-C
• Tina Flores, MD(English + Spanish)
• Nathalie Francis, MD, MPH
• Scott Markham, DO
• Sarah Mgonja, DNP

Visitation

Myrtue Medical's Birthing Center is open for visitation.

We observe quiet time from 2 PM to 4 PM every day on the Birthing Center floor so mothers and babies can bond and rest in a peaceful environment. We encourage visitors to arrange different hours to visit the new little one.

One thing we like to remind all expectant parents and visitors is the importance of washing hands. Newborns are still developing their immune systems, so you should always wash your hands before touching a new baby and avoid kissing them on the face. Even a small cold for an adult can turn into a serious health concern for a baby.

Exceptional Care at Every Stage of Pregnancy

Myrtue Medical Center (MMC), along with our maternity providers, nurses, and the Birthing Center, are here to support and care for you and your family throughout your pregnancy, delivery, and recovery. Our entire team is committed to providing you the most comprehensive prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care possible, and we will be with you every step of the way over the next nine months. We encourage you to also check out our FAQs page to read our welcome letter and find answers to many of our most asked questions.

PRENATAL PATIENT CARE OUTLOOK

You are able to start OB visits with Myrtue's maternity providers as early as five to six weeks, or when you have a positive pregnancy test, to confirm your pregnancy. Once the pregnancy has been confirmed, you will begin the following timetable unless otherwise instructed by your maternity provider.

START - 28 WEEKS

• Appointments every four weeks
• First initial ultrasound to confirm pregnancy
• Genetic Testing + labs at 10 weeks
• Anatomy ultrasound scan at 20 weeks

28 WEEKS - 36 WEEKS

• Appointments every two weeks
• Glucose tolerance test + labs at 28 weeks
• Additional anatomy and growth ultrasound at 28 weeks
• Prenatal Consultation where you meet with Cara Cacy, RN, IBCLC and go over:
  • Breastfeeding / bottle feeding goals
  • Tour the Birthing Center
  • Check your car seat and install into your vehicle
  • Talk through your birth plan
  • Determine newborn's provider
  • And more!

36 WEEKS - BIRTH

• Appointments every week
• Additional anatomy and growth ultrasound at 36 weeks

POSTPARTUM CARE:

Myrtue Medical's Birthing Center provides comprehensive care for both you and your baby during your stay with us. Your maternity provider will stop by every day to monitor you and answer any questions you may have. Your newborn's provider will also check-in daily and discuss your newborn's plan of care with you. This ensures that both you and your baby are receiving the necessary care and attention to recover and thrive.

Once you are discharged from the Birthing Center, you will continue to receive care from your maternity provider. You will be scheduled for follow-up appointments at three and six weeks postpartum to make sure your body is continuing to heal properly. After these appointments, you will be released to your primary care provider for ongoing care. Your newborn will be seen 48 to 72 hours after dismissal and at two weeks after birth with their new primary care provider. The OB nurse will take care of scheduling the first appointment with your choice of provider.