Birth Center

With You in Your Special Moment

We know the birthing experience is a very special time for you and your family! We offer a nurturing, family-centered and safe environment that allows you to focus on the miracle of your new baby. 

In labor? Call 507-646-1205. 

Wanting to transfer your care? Call 507-646-1478.

The Birth Center

Welcome to the Birth Center. The birth of your baby is a very special time for you and your family. We offer a caring, supportive environment where you feel empowered to give birth your way. We want your birth story to be memorable and the story you want it to be. 

 

We designed the birth center to offer more birth options in a nurturing, family-centered environment. It was designed with feedback from new moms with lots of thoughtful touches like in-room fridges, baby bath sinks and room darkening blincs. The Birth Center can deliver 750 babies a year.

Latest Visitor Information

We designed the space with feedback from new moms including thoughtful touches like:

  • Water Birth Suite
  • Soaking tubs for hydrotherapy
  • Huge windows with calming nature views
  • Baby bath sinks
  • In-room fridge for your own food and beverages
  • Room-darkening blinds, and more seating for family and friends.

Highlights include:

  • Spacious labor and delivery rooms
  • Water birth suite
  • Big patient rooms with seating for friends and family
  • Nursery
  • Special operating room for cesarean sections
  • Large, comfortable waiting room

Want to transfer your care to us?

Are you wanting to transfer your care and deliver at the Birth Center? We welcome you and will take good care of you.  

You will need to establish care with one of our providers in the Women's Health Center before you deliver. Call the Women's Health Center at 507-646-1478.

Pregnant woman speaking to provider

Trying to decide where to deliver your baby? We offer tours!

Second Monday of each month, 6:00-7:00 pm

Tour a delivery room | Learn about monitoring

Try out birth aids | Ask questions

Have specific questions? Email them to us when you register.

Space is limited. Registration required: Email babyclasses@northfieldhospital.org

(Please note tour may be cancelled if the Birth Center is busy.)

Information on more Northfield Hospital + Clinics childbirth services

Take an online video tour of the Birth Center

Room 200

Welcome to the Waterbirth Suite

Water birth is a popular alternative for women who prefer natural childbirth. Laboring in warm water can feel calming, relieve pain, and reduce the risk of tearing during birth. 

Our water birth suite features an active birth tub – a large, luxurious tub that gives mom freedom of movement. It features multi-level ledges for resting, getting into different positions or allowing the support person to be on the edge of the pool. It's accessible from three sides so it's easy to monitor and support mom.

When baby arrives, there is a gentle transition onto mom’s chest for bonding. Our Waterbirth Suite features everything needed to labor and deliver in warm, soothing water . . .  plus all the resources of a standard labor and delivery room, if needed. Talk to your provider if you are interested in a water birth.

Room 210

Spacious Patient Rooms

  • Large, private patient rooms
  • Queen bed or hospital bed
  • Baby bath sinks for baby's first bath
  • Soaking tub for hydrotherapy
  • Lots of counter space for your personal items
  • Private fridge for your own food and beverages
  • Room darkening blinds
  • Sleep chairs that fold down into bed for support person
  • Variety of seating for family and friends
birth center room

360 Degree Room Views

Take 360 degree room tours of the water birth suite, patient rooms, labor and delivery room, soaking tubs, nursery and c-section suite.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I transfer my care so I can deliver at the Birth Center?

You will need to establish care with one of our providers in the Women's Health Center before you deliver. We have doctors and midwives to choose from. Call the Women's Health Center at 507-646-1478 to make an appointment. Learn more about pregancy care.

How can I take a tour of the Birth center?

In person tours for expecting parents are offered on the second Monday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. You can take a tour of a delivery room, learn about monitoring, try out birth aids and ask questions. Registration is required. Email babyclasses@northfieldhospital.org. Please note tours may be cancelled if Birth Center is busy.

Take an online video tour of the Birth Center here.

Take 360 degree room tours of our water birth suite, patient rooms, labor and delivery room, soaking tubs, nursery and c-section suite here.

Why the Birth Center?

We know the birthing experience is a very special time for you and your family! The Birth Center welcomes over 500 new babies into the world each year. We offer a nurturing, family-centered and safe environment that allows you to focus on the miracle of your new baby. Families really enjoy the continuity of care as many will have the same nurse the day after delivery as during. They understand your journey and your personal and baby care education needs.

Childbirth and New Parent Classes

Classes offered include: Prepared Childbirth, Baby Basics, Breastfeeding Basics, Birth Planning Session, Baby Talk and Clase Prenatal para Latinos. Get detailed information on Classes.

Childbirth Forms - Please complete all forms around 20 weeks. Please print form 3 and bring to your 20+ week clinic visit.

  1. Patient Registration Form(link is external) - This form collects information we need to get your registered before you come to the hospital.
    1. Form in English(link is external)
    2. Formulario en español(link is external)
  2. My Birth Plan Form(link is external) - A birth plan lets us know your wishes for your child's birth. You will answer questions regarding your birth experience: labor, delivery, baby care/feeding education needs, etc. This helps us to provide the individualized care you want during your delivery.
    1. Form in English(link is external)
    2. Formulario en español(link is external)

How Do I Know if I'm in Labor?

Call the Hospital if you experience any of the following:

(Please call 507-646-1205 to let us know you are on your way)

  1. You feel like your water broke. It can be a gush, or sometimes an on-going trickle or watery discharge.  Do not wait until contractions start to come into the hospital.
  2. Regular contractions that are around 5 minutes apart and getting more intense for an hour before you come in. 
  3. Bleeding that is bright red and similar to a menstrual cycle or if you pass any blood clots. This is an indication for you to come to the hospital immediately. Even if it is not accompanied by any pain or discomfort.
  4. Decrease in your babies activity.
  5. Any elevation of temperature above 100.4º F.
  6. You have a sense that something doesn’t feel right.

Common Signs of Early Labor

  1. Irregular contractions. You can monitor by:
    1. Place your hands lightly on each side of your abdomen.
    2. If your uterus tightens beneath your hands, you are contracting, whether you experience pain or not.
    3. Time from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next. This lets you know how often you are contracting.
    4. Time the length of the contraction as the amount of time your uterus feels tightened. This tells you how long your contractions are.
  2. Bloody show or small amounts of bloody mucous (pink, brown, red) is normal and may or may not accompany the start of labor. It is common for this to occur after a vaginal exam or intercourse.
  3. Mucous discharge, or commonly known as your “mucous plug”, may or may not be associated with labor.
  4. Things to consider when in early labor:
    1. Lie on left side.
    2. Rest.
    3. Drink a bottle or large glass of water.
    4. Monitor your symptoms for 1 hour.
      1. If symptoms worsen or stay the same, call and come to Birth Center to be evaluated.
      2. If symptoms subside, continue to rest, and stay hydrated.

You are always welcome to call and come into the Birth Center at anytime!

What over-the-counter medications are safe for me to take?

Here is a list of over-the-counter medications that are safe to take during pregnancy.

What should I bring to the hospital?

Mom:  

  • Bathing/Shower supplies
  • Clothes for going home
  • Music of your choice
  • Snacks for support person/you
  • Robe/nightgown
  • Comfortable clothing if you choose to wear your own
  • Flip flop/ slippers (walking around)
  • Entertainment (books, games, etc.)

Baby:

  • Outfit for going home
  • Pacifiers (if using)
  • T-shirt/onesie
  • Blankets (receiving, etc.)
  • Car seat (with no aftermarket products- snow suit, toys etc.)

Lactation Consultant (Breastfeeding)

We provide you with education and support to help make breastfeeding a positive experience for you and your new baby. While you are in the hospital, our International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and lactation trained nurses, will help you through each step of breastfeeding to ensure your baby has a healthy start to life. Once you are home, you can make an appointment to meet with the lactation consultant one-on-one to provide additional support, discuss problems and answer your questions. We also encourage you to attend Baby Talk, a weekly support group for new moms. Lactation questions are addressed there by our lactation consultant. Learn more about Lactation Services.

Baby Care/Pediatrics

Having a baby is an exciting time in your life. If this is your first baby or your fourth, you probably have lots of questions. We’re here to help. As experienced pediatricians and family medicine doctors, we can help you learn how to take care of your baby and answer your questions. We’ll follow you and your baby through these first few months of check-ups all the way to becoming an adult. We take pride in building a positive, supportive relationship with you and your child. We get to really know you and your child and take the time to listen and help. 

After your baby is born one of our providers will see your child every day and talk to you about their care. We will also assist in finding a provider and a clinic in your area for your baby before you leave the hospital. Ask any of the Birth Center staff about our providers. Get detailed information on Pediatrics.

Confidentiality

Staff at the Birth Center and throughout the Northfield Hospital are thoroughly trained to respect the confidentiality of all patients by not discussing medical and family issues with others.  We ask that you also respect the privacy of other patients and their families by not discussing their medical care with us. Thank you.

Questions?

Feel free to call us anytime at 507-646-1205 with questions or concerns. We look forward to caring for you and your new family.

What is a doula?

A doula is a non-medical, trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their client before, during and shortly after childbirth.

A doula is not a member of the Northfield Hospital + Clinic’s health care team. They are allowed in deliveries. If you have a c-section, you are allowed one person in the OR so your doula may not be able to attend.

NH+C does not provide doulas. Using a doula is a personal choice and the doula is hired by and paid for by you.

Information on Delivering Your Baby During COVID-19

  1. Get answers to Frequently Asked Question about Pregnancy and Delivery and COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
  2. For the latest information on visit restrictions, please visit the COVID-19 information page. 
  3. NH+C’s Birth Center is following CDC guidelines for providing obstetric care for pregnant patients with confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Review the CDC’s guidelines(link is external).
    • We can deliver your baby if you go into labor while you’re sick with a contagious condition. If you’re in labor, call the Birth Center at 507-646-1205.
    • If you are not in labor and are ill and think you may have been exposed to coronavirus, call your healthcare provider.

Our Team of Doctors and Providers

bohren_jessica
Bohren, Jessica
APRN, CNM
Birth Center
Brittany Cordes, APRN, CNM
Cordes, Brittany
APRN, CNM
Birth Center
Janelle Dahl APRN, CNM
Dahl, Janelle
APRN, CNM
Birth Center
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Dohm-Palmer, Nicole
MD, FACOG
Birth Center
Sara Gergen, MSN, CPNP-PC, NNP-BC
Gergen, Sara
CPNP-PC, NNP-BC
Birth Center
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Gonzalez-Mendez, Cristina
MD, FACOG
Birth Center
Jennifer Kleine, BSN, IBCLC
Kleine, Jennifer
RN, IBCLC
Birth Center
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Lau, Shannon
MD, FACOG
Birth Center

Allina Delivery Providers

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Robyn Hegland, MD

Kyle Hoffert, MD

Katherine Rogers, MD

Heather Stortz, DO

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Kristin Tapper, MD

Erin Traxler, DO

Melissa Zant, MD

 

Service Locations

The Birth Center

The Birth Center

2000 North Avenue
Northfield, Minnesota 55057
Open Now
Sun - Sat: All day open

Information, Resources & Links

Childbirth Forms

Please complete all forms around 20 weeks. Please print form 3 and bring to your 20+ week clinic visit.

  1. Patient Registration Form(link is external) - This form collects information we need to get your registered before you come to the hospital.
    1. Form in English(link is external)
    2. Formulario en español(link is external)
  2. My Birth Plan Form(link is external) - A birth plan lets us know your wishes for your child's birth. You will answer questions regarding your birth experience: labor, delivery, baby care/feeding education needs, etc. This helps us to provide the individualized care you want during your delivery.
    1. Form in English(link is external)
    2. Formulario en español(link is external)

Immunization Information

Other Important Information

Pregnancy/Postpartum:

You can watch a variety of educational videos on many mom/baby topics from the comfort of your own home or on your TV in the Birth Center. To watch at home, click on Health Clips(link is external). Enter Northfield Hospital & Clinic’s passcode 40111.

Childbirth and New Parent Classes:   

For more information on a variety of childbirth classes that are offered both before and after delivery, click Childbirth Classes

Postpartum Support

The staff at the Birth Center understand the importance of postpartum support for families after they leave the hospital. We offer 24-hour telephone support at 507-646-1205, as well as referrals to a number of community resources.

Newborn

Public Health Nursing

  • Rice County – 507-332-5914 or  507-645-9576 ext. 5914
  • Dakota County – 651-554-6115

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

County Social Services

  • Rice County – 507-645-4723
  • Dakota County – 651-554-5611

New Mom’s Network

Mothers of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS)

  • Northfield – Anne Skoglund 507-663-0099

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

  • Northfield – 507-664-3750
  • Farmington – 651-460-3200
  • Faribault – 507-333-6460
  • Lakeville – 952-469-7290

Breastfeeding