We carefully designed our new Family Birthing Center for the comfort of you and your family.

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The new birthing center features 12 labor-delivery and recovery suites, some with relaxing views of the Mississippi River.  You will be admitted to a suite when in labor and stay in this room for about two hours after delivery of your infant. When needed, staff will activate lights hidden in the ceiling, which will lower and provide more lighting for your health care team. The beds in this area allow for various changes of position before, during and after delivery.

These spacious suites have plenty of space for family. They contain comfortable seating and a convertible sofa for an overnight guest.

An infant warmer, resuscitation station and other equipment are hidden behind beautiful wood paneling and pulled out only if needed.

Your suite features a large private bathroom with a deep air-jetted tub for a whirlpool-like experience. The tub has seating for a support person. The bathroom contains a hairdryer as well as storage space for your toiletries.

Following delivery, you move to one of 26 new postpartum suites. Your infant may stay with you as much as you would like. These suites have a spacious family area with comfortable seating and a convertible sofa for an overnight guest. Each suite has a closet for the use of you and your family. You will find plenty of counter space and a refrigerator to bring in foods from home. All of our patient suites feature 40” flat screen televisions with good visibility for you and your family.

Research shows that newborns transition better to their new surroundings if their initial bath is delayed at least two hours, allowing their temperatures and glucose levels a chance to stabilize. All postpartum suites include a sink for bathing baby with a warming light overhead. These sinks also allow you to participate in this first bath and to ask questions.

In addition, these suites feature a bed comfortable for a recovering mother.  The bathrooms are spacious and all have private tubs. They have built-in hairdryers and plenty of space for your belongings. 

When building, we wanted an environment that fostered family involvement and encouraged fathers, siblings and other loved ones to be present. Large family spaces, like this family lounge, were added to enhance the visitor experience. It includes a play area, quiet seating, a kitchenette and computer access.

High-Risk Pregnancies and Premature Births

St. Cloud Hospital specializes in high-risk pregnancies and premature births. For this reason, the unit caters to women who may need a higher level of care.

The new Family Birthing Center has six antepartum suites. These suites are designed for women experiencing pregnancy complications such as premature labor or high blood pressure. Since deliveries occur in these suites, they were built with space for infant stabilettes. The antepartum suites have private showers, which are preferred by these patients. 

The new addition has allowed for two state-of-the-art operating rooms to be next to the labor and delivery rooms for rapid surgical response. Each room has built-in oxygen, air and electricity that would accommodate multiple births. The surgical and anesthesia equipment is located on ceiling booms, freeing up floor space for the mother, the mother’s support person, nurses, doctors, anesthesia staff and new infant(s).

A new recovery area is located just across the hall from the operating rooms and has convenient access to medications and supplies. The mother and infant generally remain in this area for about an hour after delivery. They then move to a postpartum room for the remainder of their stay.

Our Level II and III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) offers highly specialized, quality care for the tiniest and sickest of infants. Parents are welcome 24 hours a day and have direct access to our neonatologists. We encourage parents to take an active role in the care of their child. In 2013, we will open our new NICU with 28 private rooms. These large rooms will have space for visiting family and a sofa sleeper for parents. Learn more about the NICU

In addition, next summer the St. Cloud Hospital Perinatology Clinic will relocate to St. Cloud Hospital. This move brings our perinatologists closer to women admitted to the hospital in preparation for a high-risk delivery. It also familiarizes patients expecting pregnancy complications with the hospital and its surroundings. Learn more about the Perinatology Clinic