Labor & Delivery

Current Visitor Policy:

Visitors

Sibling Visits

We are delivering something special. 

Every baby born in our birthing unit, the New Life Center, is a tiny marvel. It is our privilege to welcome them to the world and to support their families along the way. The New Life Center features a collaborative environment where patients benefit from the medical expertise of physicians, certified nurse midwives, neonatal nurse practitioners and registered nurses. The labor and delivery team at The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus is proud to be a part of a legacy of compassionate care that has welcomed thousands of new lives to Kansas.

Baby-Friendly Designation

The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus has received prestigious international recognition as a Designated Baby-Friendly birth facility from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this prestigious award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies.

In addition to our Baby-Friendly designation, we also are proud of these other recognitions and awards:

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Blue Distinction Plus for Maternity Care
• High 5 for Mom and Baby
• Breastfeeding Employee Support Award (Gold) from the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition
• Breastfeeding Welcome Here

Birthing Suites

The New Life Center offers birthing suites in which women can experience evaluation, labor, delivery and recovery all in one room. We are committed to state-of-the-art care in a warm and comfortable environment.

Each suite features a whirlpool bath and shower for relaxation, as well as a TV/DVD player. Convertible sofa beds are in all rooms for partners and birthing coaches to sleep or rest. Additionally, each room supplies centralized mother and fetal monitoring with the option of wireless monitoring. 

A dedicated Cesarean-section delivery operating room is adjacent to the birthing suites, offering convenience for patients having surgical deliveries.

Tours are available for expectant parents by appointment. Please call 785-295-8270 for more information.

Postpartum Rooms

Our New Life Center has 11 additional rooms for recovering mothers. Six family suites provide a comfortable queen-size bed to allow your family to bond in a homelike environment, with plenty of space for patient care and equipment. The other five rooms offer a comfortable hospital bed and a sofa bed for partners or other family members.

Level II Special Care Nursery

For infants born 33 weeks and older, our Level II Special Care Nursery provides expert care. If your newborn requires extra medical attention, this nursery offers sophisticated support in a warm, caring environment. The neonatologists collaborate with neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) and specialized nurses in the New Life Center to care for infants who may need extra support. The NNPs, nurses and respiratory therapists are sensitive to families' needs and encourage participation in caring for your baby.

In addition, our Level II Special Care nurses and NNPs are specially trained to stabilize a baby safely and efficiently. They will quickly recognize and respond to changing conditions.

As parents of babies who graduate from the Level II nursery, you will get to stay in a homelike graduation room the night before your baby is discharged. This special room offers you the opportunity to learn how to care for your infant when you return home while experiencing the support of our specialized staff.

First Days Clinic

Located on the second floor of St. Francis Campus, the First Days Clinic is a free clinic made available to help you and your newborn have a healthy transition from the hospital to your home. Our staff of nationally certified Lactation Consultants visit mothers on postpartum each day during your hospital stay as well as staff the clinic 7 days a week. The Lactation Consultants can monitor your baby’s weight, evaluate breastfeeding, check for newborn jaundice and answer questions. The First Days Clinic is open by appointment 7 days a week with same day appointments available.

Please call 785-270-5072 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Expectant Parent Classes

Preparing for a baby is an exciting time and we are proud to provide a wide variety of classes for expectant parents and their families. Our classes are offered all year long and are built to provide education and resources for both new parents and veteran parents alike. Our goal is to prepare you for before, during, and after your baby is born. Most of our classes are free and open to anyone interested in delivering at our New Life Center.

Learn more about our classes and register here.

Postpartum Family Support Group

Having a baby can be quite an adjustment for new parents and may come with feelings of being overwhelmed, stressed or anxious. The Postpartum Family Support Group provides a safe place for any new parent to ask questions, share experiences, receive encouragement and connect with other parents. The group is led by a certified lactation nurse consultant who can also provide instruction and support for breastfeeding and mental health. The class is offered in person on the third Thursday of every month from 4-5 p.m. in one of the second floor meeting rooms at The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus hospital. Parents are welcome to bring their babies to the meetings. Click here to learn more about support groups at St. Francis Campus. 

Looking for a doctor? Our experts are here to help you find a physician.

Call us toll-free at 1-833-4NEWDOC (1-833-463-9362).