Your Stay at Birthways

Find out why you should welcome your baby to the world at Mary Greeley Medical Center's Birthways in Ames, Iowa.

Full-Service Birth Center

Every element of Birthways was designed to support the health, safety, and comfort of patients and babies. Birthways offers:

23 private labor/ delivery/recovery/postpartum (LDRP) rooms, which have been specially designed so that babies requiring a higher level of care in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) stay in the same room with family
Two larger suites to accommodate twins
Three private rooms for outpatient services
Two outpatient lactation rooms to support breastfeeding
Two large operating rooms equipped to deliver babies through Cesarean section (C-section)
Private bereavement suite

Amenities

To ensure you have a great stay, Birthways provides:

Comfort menu of relaxation and pain management options for labor
Room service available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Snacks and beverages available 24/7
On-floor refrigerator for snacks and beverages you or your visitors might bring
Whirlpool tubs where you can relax during labor
Flat screen cable TVs with built-in DVD players in your room
Color changing light features for each room, with color choice selected by the patient
Free Wi-Fi
Free parking
Family waiting room to accommodate all of your loved ones

After Delivery

Most patients spend about three days at the hospital after giving birth. Expect an atmosphere that supports your recovery. Rest as much as possible, especially during our designated daily quiet hours (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.).

Rooming-In & Bonding

Your spacious, private room is a wonderful environment for bonding. Birthways supports 24/7 rooming-in, which means you and your baby stay in your room together as much as possible. This lets you get to know your baby’s behavior and hunger cues while our nurses are available to provide support.

Newborn Healthcare

Providers will visit your room to perform your baby's first medical exam and newborn screening tests. Your room has a Panda® Warmer, adorably named equipment that keeps your baby comfortable and safe during care.

One-on-One Support to Breastfeed

Enjoy a private visit from our breastfeeding experts without leaving your suite. Discover our approach to breastfeeding support, which offers ongoing assistance even after you leave the birth center.

Safety & Security

Feel confident you and your baby are protected during your time at Birthways thanks to our Hugs® Infant Protection System and comprehensive security policies. These include:

Matching identification (ID) bands for you, your baby, and one person of your choosing
Electronic transmitters that lock exit doors
Surveillance cameras that monitor each exit off the floor at all times

During your stay:

Always verify your ID bracelet with your baby's if you have been separated.
Call your nurse if you are unsure about anyone who comes into your room or asks about your baby.
Check staff ID before you let them take your baby from your room.
Never leave your baby alone or unsupervised in your room.
Place your baby's crib out of direct view of the door.

Visitor Policies

To protect your privacy and safety:

You have the right to approve or deny specific visitors.
Visitors must check in at the Birthways front desk when they arrive, and we'll call your room to make sure you feel comfortable seeing them.
Guests must be healthy when they visit.

If you want to visit a patient, come before or after Birthways’ mid-afternoon quiet time (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.).

Mary Greeley reserves the right to restrict visitors when necessary. We may restrict visitors:

To prevent the spread of infection or a contagious illness
Due to a court order restricting contact
If a visitor is disruptive, threatening, or violent
If the patient needs privacy or is receiving certain medical treatments

Circumcision Care

Tell our staff if you want to have your newborn circumcised. Circumcision is not typically medically needed. It's usually elective, meaning it’s your choice whether to have it performed.

Professional Newborn Photography

Upon request, a professional photographer from Baby Bella Photography can take photos of your baby during your hospital stay. You'll receive a digital slideshow shortly afterward. For your privacy, photos in the slideshow are password-protected, and only people to who you give the password can access your baby's photos.