Marshfield Medical Center Birth Center

Each patient may have two (2) support visitors during labor and delivery who must remain the same. Open visitation is available during stable antepartum (pre-delivery) and postpartum (after delivery) for visitors who are 12 years and older. Children under 12 years must be siblings of the newborn. No children can stay overnight.

• • We ask that any visitors exhibiting symptoms of illness remain home. This is for the safety of our newborns, as well as their families.
• • If you have a doula as part of your birth plan, please provide certification to your admitting nurse. Your doula may stay with you during the labor and delivery process and post-partum, as desired. Doulas are additional support persons above your 2 labor support visitors. They will not be counted as one of your 2 support visitors during labor and delivery.

Marshfield Medical Center has visiting hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Sunday, seven days a week. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. is quiet time (no visitors allowed). Quiet Time allows mothers time to recover, promotes bonding, helps establish breastfeeding and gives mothers much needed rest.

View Special Circumstance Visitor Guidelines >

It is important that you discuss your questions and concerns about labor and delivery with your women’s health provider. We want to make you feel comfortable and provide a safe and positive birth experience for you and your family.

Download and complete your Birth Plan. View our preparing for childbirth webpage for more details.

Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield offers perinatal education sessions to provide you with prenatal education and support as well as help you prepare for your upcoming hospital stay.

Learn more >

Each person may experience labor in a different way. If you are concerned, at any point, regarding your symptoms or if you have any questions, please call OB Clinic 715-387-5161 from 8 a.m - 5 p.m. and the Birth Center main desk at 715-387-7071 after hours and ask to speak to a nurse.

View our Labor and Delivery page for signs and symptoms of labor >

What to do when your labor starts

Please always call the Birth Center desk before heading to the hospital so that we may prepare and be ready for your arrival.

• • During daytime hours, call the OB Clinic 715-387-5161 and ask to talk with a triage nurse.
• • After clinic hours, please call the Birth Center main desk at 715-387-7071 and ask to speak with a nurse.
  

Arriving at the Hospital:

• • 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Please park in the parking lot by the hospital main entrance and enter through the main entrance doors. You will be screened upon entry and they will direct you to the Birth Center.
• • 8 p.m. – 6 a.m. – Please park in the Emergency Room parking lot. Enter through the Alternate ED Entrance set up specifically for laboring/OB and Oncology patients. You will be screened upon entry and will be escorted to the Birth Center.

There are many medications that can be safe to take during pregnancy. Talk to your women's health provider if you have any questions or concerns. View this comprehensive list of safe medications >

Our goal at the Birth Center is to make your childbirth experience positive, relaxed, memorable and as personalized as possible. Each patient starts in a labor and delivery suite. Once delivery and recovery is complete, mom and baby will be moved to a clean, private postpartum room for the remainder of their stay.

Security is our No. 1 priority. Your baby will be safe in the Birth Center. We use an electronic tag system to monitor each baby. In addition, our unit is locked with one designated secure entrance for patients and visitors.

To help make childbirth as comfortable as possible, there are options for pain relief. Your nurse or provider is happy to discuss these options with you. Epidural anesthesia is available 24/7.

Skin to Skin after Delivery and C-Section

• • Studies have shown that normal, term newborns who are placed skin to skin with their mothers immediately after birth, make the transition from fetal to newborn life with decreased stress. They have been shown to:
  
• • Maintain their body temperature better
  
• • Experience more stable heart rate and breathing
  
• • Have higher blood oxygen levels
  
• • Have more success with breastfeeding immediately after birth
  
• • Better able to absorb and digest nutrients.
  
• • We recommend skin to skin for both vaginal and c-section deliveries. If you have questions, please talk with your provider or nurse to receive more details.
  

Postpartum Tubal Ligation is also offered at Marshfield Medical Center and can be coordinated with your delivery. Please contact your provider for further details.

Lactation Services: We have trained IBCLC (Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants) and Certified Lactation Counselors to assist and support you with all of your breastfeeding questions. They are available 6 days a week to meet your needs. Please see the link provided for more details.

Rooming in with Your Baby: One of the positive aspects of family centered care at the Birth Center is that your baby stays with you from the moment of birth. We encourage rooming in so that you can facilitate bonding with your baby, develop successful feeding plans and discover the unique qualities that your baby has. Nurses are available to assist every step of the way. The Pediatrician will round daily to discuss the care of your new baby.

Going Home: routine discharge is by 12:00 noon on the day of discharge. You, your OB provider and the baby’s Pediatrician will determine together when you and your baby are ready to go home. Mothers who have a vaginal birth may go home 1-2 days after the birth. Mothers who have a c-section delivery usually go home 3-4 days after giving birth.

​Marshfield Medical Center Birth Center offers lactation services staffed by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), who educate you on breastfeeding and work with you to overcome breastfeeding difficulties.

Learn more about lactation services >

Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield accepts breast milk donations. Our milk depot program makes it possible for area women with an extra supply of breast milk to donate their milk. Learn more about MMC breast milk depot >

Marshfield Medical Center offers a variety of childbirth education classes and support groups to help you prepare for the arrival of your baby. Find classes >

Check out our Circle of Moms Breastfeeding Support Group Facebook group. Find support here >