Growing your family is such an exciting time! We’re partnering with Mercy, a premier provider for new and expecting moms in the greater St. Louis area! Our team created this guide to delivering at Mercy from the perspective of local moms, and we hope it’s helpful to you. Tips, tricks, insights, and experiences from moms who’ve been there, too!
Finding the Right OB/GYN
Whether you’re new to the area, have an ongoing relationship with a local provider, or are looking to make a change, Mercy has an extensive network with dozens of OB/GYN providers, all looking to add to their practices. Click here to find one for you!
Here are some things to consider as you’re selecting a provider (and questions to ask):
- Are they close in proximity to where you live? Is it easy to access? You’ll be spending a lot of time here during pregnancy, so make it convenient for you! Is it easy to access with your kiddos?
- What do you value when it comes to family planning? Will your provider support that?
- Is your provider open to more holistic practices?
- Will your provider support your birth plan? What about breastfeeding?
WHY MOMS ARE CHOOSING MERCY
Don’t forget – YOU make the call, and it’s up to you to advocate for the right provider relationship that YOU desire!
I just found out I’m pregnant, now what?
Yay! Congratulations! Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, you do NOT need to do this alone. Did you know that Mercy offers a Prenatal Nurse Navigator program? This role is exclusively designed to help you navigate pregnancy and birth preparation every step of the way. Questions about childbirth classes? Need help finding a pediatrician? Trying to find out what breast pump will be best for you or where to start with picking out a car seat? Click here to get connected with a Prenatal Nurse Navigator today, and they’ll accompany you every step of the way!
Looking to connect with other local moms planning to deliver at Mercy? Want to get their input on certain questions? Join the Mercy Moms to Be Facebook group!
Traditional vs. Birth Center Route
An important question to ask yourself is what kind of pregnancy/birth experience you’d like to have. Would you prefer a more traditional hospital birth, or would you like a more holistic experience throughout your pregnancy? Mercy allows for both! If you desire to be followed by a nurse midwife throughout the course of your pregnancy and birth in one of their low-intervention birth suites, you’ll want to connect with the Mercy Birthing Center Midwifery Care from the beginning. They provide prenatal care along the way, in addition to postpartum support after birth! Click here to connect with the Mercy Birthing Center today.
Important Dates Along the Way
There’s a whole host of important dates to remember along the way, which, of course, will all be guided and shared by your medical provider.
Here are a few questions to discuss with your partner as you prepare for these dates:
- Do we want to pursue genetic testing?
- Do we want to know the gender? How do we want to find out? When do we want to know? Do we want to have baby circumcised?
- When do we want to tour the birth place? Make plans to do this at least 6 weeks in advance of baby’s arrival and come with your questions! Click here to reserve your tour!
- Do we want to participate in any family classes, childbirth classes, or classes where we can involve our younger children? Click here to register!
- MOM TIP: A breastfeeding class in advance of baby’s arrival is WORTH THE TIME! It’s so important to know how it all works to help ensure a successful journey. Click here to register for Mercy’s breastfeeding classes!
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Your glucose test occurs in the second trimester of pregnancy and will involve a period of fasting. You’ll then need to be onsite for at least an hour, depending on the wait time at the laboratory. Plan accordingly! This is not as rapid as a traditional blood test. This test can be done at a time that works for YOU, at a location nearest you! Your Mercy provider and nursing team will share this information with you.
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MOM TIP: Your provider will likely always request a urine sample when you arrive for a prenatal appointment, plan to come with a full bladder to save time, OR better yet, take a urine sample cup with you after your appointments so you’re ready to go next time!
Stay Active During Your Pregnancy
Staying active during pregnancy and postpartum is so important. Mercy offers a 6-week prenatal yoga series for a nominal fee, click here to register!
Financial Assistance During Pregnancy and Delivery
The cost of prenatal care and birth can be overwhelming, even with the best insurance coverage. Your provider, their team practitioner’s office, and a Prenatal Nurse Navigator are here to make sure you know your options to ensure you have the most affordable care at your fingertips as possible.
The best way to find out what Financial Assistance you qualify for is to speak with your provider. They can direct you to a member of our team that can give you all the resources and information you may need since every situation is unique.
You can also give our Financial Assistance number a call for questions: 1-844-764-6850
Preparing for your Hospital Stay
Click here and download the Plan for Childbirth Guide to help you pack your hospital bag. Mercy has prepared an extensive list for you! In addition, you might consider the following additional items:
- Depends underwear: These can be a bit more comfortable and sturdy to support heavy pads, Tucks, and ice pads!
- Long charger: Short cell phone charger cords don’t always cooperate well with outlet placements, so a long cell phone cord will come in handy as you recuperate.
- Portable night light: Consider bringing a small night light you can turn on for those middle-of-the-night wake-ups.
- Silverettes: If you are planning to breastfeed, silverettes are a wonderful tool to help care for your nipples as they adjust to being used for feeding!
- Chapstick and shower shoes
- Pillow: If you like sleeping with a particular pillow, you might enjoy having your own with you!
- Portable fan: You’ll work up a sweat in labor and delivery!
MOM TIP: Consider bringing a small gift for your team of nurses. They are such an incredible help to moms during this time! Not mandatory, of course, but always appreciated. Also, as you’re preparing your bag, you might consider a small gift that your new baby can “gift” to their siblings. Those touches go a long way in helping siblings adjust!
Labor & Delivery
Mercy has countless resources available to you during labor and delivery to support any and all of your goals for your birth plan. Click here to view the Plan for Childbirth Guide | Mercy.
Baby is Here!
Once baby is on the way, Mercy and their incredible team are ready to welcome you to labor and delivery.
For the St. Louis location, be sure to park in the garage adjacent to the hospital’s main entrance and walk into the Maternity Welcome Center. You can stay parked in this garage for the entirety of your stay at the hospital! Click here to access the Mercy St. Louis Campus Map.
For the Mercy South location, head to the main entrance and valet park. Click here to access the interactive Mercy South Campus Map.
For the Jefferson location, expectant mother parking spots are located immediately to the right of the main entrance. Click here to access the Mercy Jefferson Campus Map.
For the Washington location, expectant moms can enter via the main entrance. Click here to access the Mercy Washington Campus Map.
Once it’s time to go home, a member of the Mercy volunteer team will escort you and baby to your car in a wheelchair, along with all of your bags, gifts, and supplies! You won’t need to worry about heading home carrying all the things.
Lactation Support
Mercy and their team of nurses and certified lactation specialists are here and ready to support you in the goals you have for feeding your baby. Whether that’s bottle feeding or breastfeeding, you’ll find the support you need from their lactation team. After baby arrives, the lactation specialists on staff are ready to lend assistance as you and baby get established with your desired form of feeding. Please note that pumps are available in the hospital upon request. You can always bring your own if you prefer!
Be sure to check out Mercy’s breastfeeding support groups:
Mercy Moms Connect (Bimonthly) – Join them every other Wednesday with your baby or toddler to connect with other parents and learn about childcare trends.
Breastfeeding With Confidence Support Group (Weekly) – This popular support group is available at Mercy Hospital St. Louis and Mercy office buildings in St. Peters and South County. Get tips for successful breastfeeding from a nurse with specialized lactation training.
Postpartum Depression Support Group (4th Tuesday of the Month) – This informal group meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Mercy Hospital St. Louis to share experiences with postpartum depression. Moms are welcome to bring their babies.
Wednesday Weigh-Ins – The Mercy Washington location offers this in-person session with lactation support weekly from 10:30 am-1 pm.
Outpatient breastfeeding services are available before and after baby arrives. Click here to connect with the lactation department at your Mercy location.
NICU Care
Many expectant parents find comfort in knowing that Mercy has a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Mercy St. Louis to address any newborn-related health concerns, should that level of care be needed. Care is provided by neonatologists and neonatal nurse practitioners. A NICU is also available at Mercy South.
Newborn Nursery
Mercy offers a 24/7 newborn nursery at all of its maternity units. While rooming in with your newborn is highly encouraged, to begin the bonding process/adjustment to new mom life, it is absolutely acceptable to send your baby to the nursery to be cared for by the nursing team while you try to rest for a few hours. They will bring baby back when it’s time to eat or if they’re inconsolable!
How Does Room Service Work
Room service varies by campus, with fixed hours for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Be prepared to come to the hospital with snacks just in case you deliver during off-hours! Make sure you know what the hours are for your location in advance so you can plan accordingly. The nurses’ station will also have some small things you can nibble on, but the pain medication you choose may limit what they can give you. Mercy has a wonderful, comprehensive menu with a wide selection of choices from salads to wraps to burgers and yummy desserts, too! They are able to accommodate dietary restrictions, as needed.
Photographer
Of course, you’ll leave the hospital with your own roll of personal baby photos, but you’ll also receive a visit from a professional photographer (Bella Baby) who will come to capture some candid shots of your new babe at select Mercy locations (including Mercy South and Mercy St. Louis). You’ll receive a link to a gallery of proofs within 24 hours, but don’t stress – you’ll have plenty of time to order (if you choose to do so). Plan to bring an outfit (for yourself and baby) and/or props and accessories to have ready for your photos!
Preparing to Go Home
You’ll receive a whole host of papers to fill out and also to bring home with you. Your amazing team of nurses will discuss everything with you and make sure to answer any questions!
A few items of note:
- You will receive a form you can mail to request your baby’s first birth certificate through the state of Missouri (this can also be done online). THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AUTOMATICALLY and is not provided by the hospital.
- Be proactive in making sure you add baby to your medical insurance plan! Every plan is different and this isn’t always an automatic add. Connect with the member services team of your insurance provider once baby is born to ensure there isn’t a lapse in coverage.
Postpartum Resources
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Whether you’ve delivered vaginally or via c-section, it’s STRONGLY recommended that you do pelvic floor physical therapy to help rehab your abdominal muscles and pelvic floor! Consult with your physician to see if they have any recommendations, otherwise find a provider here!
Mental health support
While motherhood and the time leading up to it are often a joyous time, some moms struggle with their mental health, dealing with mood swings, sadness, and other upsetting symptoms. To provide support during this difficult time, Mercy offers an intensive outpatient program for women with perinatal mood disorder and postpartum depression.
Women 18 and older during pregnancy, and up to one year after giving birth, are eligible for the program. Referrals may come from any doctor, but mothers may choose to self-refer. Placement into the program is decided on a case-by-case basis. For more information, please call 314.251.0555 or click here.
Pediatrician Directory
Many new moms want to find a pediatrician before baby arrives. Click here to access a list of Mercy pediatric offices currently accepting new patients. You can filter the list based on your location and preferences.
Mercy Kids
Mercy Kids is the pediatric branch of Mercy and offers more than 800 physicians and care teams, two children’s hospitals across Missouri, pediatric ERs, pediatric clinics, urgent, and convenient care locations to keep you close to home.
Mercy Kids pediatricians and pediatric specialists offer exceptional medical knowledge and clinical skills for children from birth to age 18 in a caring, compassionate environment.
