Unity Family Birth Center
Deciding where to have your baby is an important decision for you and your family. As a family-centered hospital with specially trained staff, The Family Birth Center at Unity Hospital is dedicated to making your birth experience comfortable and memorable.
If you are interested in delivering at Unity Hospital and do not yet have a physician, check out our comprehensive list of OB and Pediatric providers who care for patients at our Family Birth Center.
You are encouraged to preregister for your hospital stay before the 28th week of your pregnancy. We are pleased to offer online registration for your convenience.
For the health and safety of patients, Allina Hospitals & Clinics has placed limits on visitation to birth centers and pediatrics units.
Effective immediately, these limitations are:
- Visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Visitors must sign in and be screened for influenza-like illness
- Sibling visitors must be age 5 or older
- Non-sibling visitors must be age 16 or older
- Maximum of three visitors per patient at a time
Visitors are asked to follow hand-hygiene procedures by washing hands or using the antibacterial foam provided throughout the hospital.
Your Birth Experience
The Family Birth Center at Unity Hospital labor and delivery suites are designed with family comfort in mind. Each spacious suite has a private bathroom with a bathtub. You will labor and deliver your baby in the same private room that has everything you need for comfort and medical care during your baby’s delivery.
Each room has a television and CD/DVD player, as well rocking chairs and special chairs that fold out for partners to spend the night. Family members and visitors are welcome to join you as you wish, or they may wait in our comfortable family lounge down the hall.
Our Family Birth Center unit is safe and secure with a locked entry; visitors must check-in before entering. Surgery suites are located on the birthing unit for easy transport in the rare event of an unanticipated Cesarean delivery.
We offer many amenities and comfort measures to help you during your labor. These include a full bathtub in your room, birthing ball, mirror, and a CD player for you to play soft music. Walking is often helpful in labor and many mothers enjoy walking in our quiet skyway, enjoying the view.
For a loved one that cannot be present, but would like to be part of their child's birth, web cams are available. Please request this service in advance by calling us at 763-236-4400.
Birth Planning
We are committed to honoring your birth plan, however we ask you to remain open and flexible to changing plans if there are complications in your delivery. Please review your wishes with your nurse when you are admitted to the hospital. We also encourage you to ask questions of your doctor during your prenatal visits about your ideal birth experience.
In addition to our dedicated and caring nursing staff, we are proud to offer a doula program for women who would like more physical, emotional and informational support during labor. For more information, visit our Doula Program page.
Your Recovery
After some time to bond with your baby and begin your recovery, our staff will help you move to a private room in the Family Centered Care Unit (just down the hall) where we encourage you to rest and learn about your new baby. We encourage you to keep your baby with you as much as possible. The nursery is also available to care for your baby should you need it.
All patients and visitors are welcome to use free wireless Internet at Unity Hospital. We also have laptops available for guests to check out and use free of charge from the gift shop.
Families are encouraged to attend the Homeward Bound education class, held daily in the Family Birth Center. This helpful class reviews self and newborn care to help prepare families for the transition home.
Special Care Nursery - Level II
For newborns requiring special care, physicians with Minnesota Neonatal Physicians, P.A. at Children's Hospital-Minneapolis are available daily in the special care nursery at Unity Hospital. They collaborate with our neonatal nurse practitioners who are available 24 hours a day and provide care or consulting for many of the babies admitted to the special care nursery.
Breastfeeding
Our staff would like to help make your breastfeeding experience a positive one. Several of our hospital nurses have received advanced lactation education, training and certification. Our lactation educators are also available to answer questions and assist with your breastfeeding needs.
We offer a free daily breastfeeding classes on our unit for new moms. If you need additional help with breastfreeding after going home, call us at 763-236-3405 and leave a message with your question. Calls to the breastfeeing line will be answered within 24 hours. You can also schedule outpatient breastfeeding appointments for a small fee.
The breastfeeding line is for feeding questions; if your baby is ill, please contact your baby's physician. If at any time you wish to speak directly to a nurse, call the unit at 763-236-3402 and ask for a lactation educator.
Breastfeeding supplies are available at Unity through Allina Home Oxygen and Medical Equipment. Items available include breast pumps and accessories, nursing bras and slings. Gift Certificates are also available. Ask about these services during your stay, or contact this department directly at 763-236-3225.
Family Education
In addition to daily classes held on our unit, we also offer a broad range of classes to help your family prepare for birth and caring for your new family member. Learn more about classes available by visiting our Parent and Family Classes page.
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