C-Section Births

Mercy Birthplace & NICU follows best practices and strategies that foster optimal care for both mom and baby. One of those best practices is to avoid elective deliveries (including labor prior to 39 weeks gestation without medical necessity). In fact, Mercy Birthplace outperforms Iowa and the U.S. when it comes to avoiding elective early deliveries.

Percentage of mothers whose deliveries were scheduled too early (one to two weeks), when a scheduled delivery wasn’t medically necessary:

(From Hospital Compare. Lower percentages are better. Last updated July 2024)

Approximately 25% to 30% of babies born at Mercy are delivered via Cesarean section. We welcome trials of vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC); you and your physician will determine if you are a candidate for this delivery option.

As much as possible, Mercy Birthplace encourages shared decision-making between the patient, support person and hospital staff. For instance, the mother's support person has the option to accompany her to the operating room to support her and be present for the birth, as well as early bonding with baby. In fact, we encourage your support person to participate as it often decreases anxiety for the mother and is a wonderful opportunity for family bonding.

Customizing Your C-Section at Mercy

Depending on the situation (these options may not be available in an emergency C-section), you and your support person may be able to customize certain aspects of your C-section, including:

• Clear drape: The portion of the drape by the mother's head is double-layered (a clear drape and a blue drape); the blue drape can be lowered so that mother and support person can watch baby being delivered and see baby immediately after delivery and during delayed cord-clamping.
• Cutting the cord: After delivery, your newborn will go to the warmer for a few minutes. At that time, your support person will have the opportunity to trim the umbilical cord. Then, when the baby is stable, he or she will be brought back to you and your and support person for bonding.
• Skin-to-skin time is encouraged between you and your newborn in the operating room when possible; we also encourage skin-to-skin time in the recovery room.
• Breastfeeding is possible as soon as baby is interested and you are able. Nursing can also take place in the operating room,  recovery room or your Birthplace suite.
• Music: We invite you to choose the type of music that is played during your C-section, if you'd like. This decreases anxiety for some mothers.
• Aromatherapy is also available to help with anxiety and nausea.

During Your C-Section

• Your support person may bring a camera or phone into the operating room for photos. Note that video is not allowed in the OR, but they can take as many photos as they would like.
• During the procedure, there will be one nurse dedicated to the mother and a second nurse dedicated to the baby so that both mother and baby receive the personalized attention they need.
• Anesthesiologists are also available 24/7 in the event of emergent C-section deliveries.

In case your baby needs to be delivered via C-section, check out the Operating Room video below: