Memorial Medical Center has three labor, delivery and recovery rooms available for new parents. These rooms are specially decorated and designed to meet the medical needs of the new mother and her infant, but feel homey, relaxing and comfortable.

Infant Protection System

Our “HUGS” infant security system offers state-of the-art security for our littlest and most vulnerable patients, and peace-of-mind for their parents. The HUGS system provides a complete unit and facility lock-down when activated. Infants, parents and family members do not notice that they are surrounded by such maximum security, but can rest assured that every available protection is offered with this system.

Sophisticated Central Fetal Monitoring

With funds raised through Memorial Medical Center’s Foundation (including a $50,000 gift from the Memorial Medical Center Volunteers), the Medical Center installed a new central monitoring system in the Obstetrics Department. This technology allows physicians and nursing staff to continually monitor both the mother-to-be and her baby without being in the room. This offers more privacy to our families, without compromising patient care. The central monitoring system also allows physicians to check on the progress of their patients from remote locations.

Tours for New Mothers and Families

At the Family Birthing Center, we understand that new parents-to-be want to know and prepare as much as they can for the experience of childbirth. That’s why we offer special, individualized tours for new mothers and families. This provides an opportunity for you to meet the staff and ask questions as well as see where your new baby will be born.

Prepared Childbirth Classes

We offer a series of childbirth classes at approximately six-week intervals throughout the year. In keeping with our family-centered approach, fathers-to-be are welcome to join in. Space at these sessions is limited and they typically fill up well in advance, so please schedule early.

Classes are held at Memorial Medical Center. Pre-registration is necessary. Please call 231-845-3647 to register.

Breast-Feeding Classes & Individual Counseling

Breast feeding is one of the topics covered in the Prepared Childbirth classes, but we feel this is such an important start for your infant’s life that we offer individualized consultation and information. If you have any questions at all about breastfeeding, or would like to meet with our certified breastfeeding instructor or any of our trained nursing staff, please contact us at 231-845-2301. Often, new moms who are having difficulty with breastfeeding or have questions find it easier to come back to the OB department with their baby after discharge to get additional instruction, tips on different techniques, have their questions answered, etc. Our goal is to ensure that new parents know they have a resource with trained staff who can help, before, during and after the birth of their baby!

Perinatal Testing

Before a baby is born, sometimes there is a need to monitor a baby’s activity, heart rate, and other vital signs to be sure the infant is progressing the way he should be. Perinatal testing can include a non-stress test or an ultrasound or simple fetal monitoring. Often this does not mean that there is a problem, but is a way to check the baby’s health and activity. All testing can be done directly within the Obstetrics department.

Newborn Hearing Screening

The sooner a hearing impairment is diagnosed, the more effective its treatment is and the less long-term affect it can have on a child. That is why Memorial Medical Center was one of the first hospitals to implement newborn hearing screenings for every infant delivered at our facility. The screening test is painless and non-invasive, but can detect if there is any hearing abnormality.