There is no greater joy than preparing for and welcoming a new baby into the family. You want everything to be perfect – from the health of the baby and mommy-to-be to the hospital stay and the ride home – we’re dedicated to helping you prepare yourself during every stage, and making this joyous occasion one you will never forget.

Covenant Medical Center has a Prenatal Clinic and a Family Birth Center. We have everything you’ll need including an experienced and dedicated team of obstetricians, midwives and health care professionals, state-of-art birthing suites, the only Level II Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the area, and certified lactation specialists. We also offer informational programs and education classes for expectant parents to achieve the perfect birth experience. Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare has everything in place to give new life a great beginning.

Click here for a list of obstetricians who deliver babies at Covenant Medical Center.

Click here to learn more about the Covenant Milk Depot and how you can help save babies as a milk donor through the Mother's Milk Bank of Iowa at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Covenant Prenatal Clinic

The Covenant Prenatal Clinic specializes in prenatal care for women with risk factors related to age, lifestyle, family history, those with special needs or limited/no insurance. A team of health care professionals provide prenatal care to women who need help during pregnancy including obstetricians, nurse midwives, physician assistants, nurses, childbirth, instructors, social workers, dietitians, dental hygienists and others. If you’re pregnant or think you’re pregnant, prenatal care is extremely important to the overall health and well-being of you and your baby.

High Risk or Special Care Qualifiers:

For more information or to schedule an appointment at the Covenant Prenatal Clinic, please call 319.272.8200.

• Younger than 18 years old
• Smoke more than a pack of cigarettes a day
• Have used or are presently using drugs
• Limited or no support to help you through pregnancy
• Have had three or more miscarriages
• Last baby was too small, too big or delivered too early
• Last baby was less than three months old when you became pregnant this time
• High blood pressure or diabetic
• Low blood count
• Late entry for prenatal care 

 Family Birth Center

The Family Birth Center at Covenant Medical Center is specially designed for comfort and privacy so your entire family may share in the joy and excitement of the birth of your new baby. Be assured we will do our best to give you and your newest family member a wonderful experience and a healthy, loving start. Should something happen that requires specialized, lifesaving and immediate care, you can take comfort in knowing Covenant Medical Center has the area’s only Level II Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery.

Each Room Features:

• 19 spacious labor/delivery/recovery/postpartum suites w/ relaxing whirlpool tubs for mom
• Four suites for expectant mothers having caesarean section deliveries, preterm labor or other complications
• Large, regular nursery
• High-tech infant security system
• Refrigerator
• Two operating room suites with two recovery rooms
• Three triage rooms used to determine if mom is in labor
• In-room baby bath tub sink with temperature-sensitive sprayer
• Room service dining for new parents
• Televisions w/ VHS/DVD player; CD player

Click here for a Preadmission Form   (print, complete and bring when admitted to the Family Birth Center)

The Area’s Only Level II Regional Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU)

Every family has hopes and dreams of a healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery. But pregnancies sometimes take an unexpected turn. With all the preparation that goes into having a baby, it is important to think about the safest, most convenient place to give birth, just in case.

Covenant Medical Center has the area’s only Level II Regional NICU nursery to help babies who are premature or those with special needs. Our NICU nursery is adjacent to the Family Birth Center and offers a warm, sensitive, family-centered approach. When building the NICU suites, we were focused on creating a private, peaceful environment where family bonding and the healing process were given top priority. Providing the area’s most advanced neonatal care, an expert team of neonatologists (Dr. Andrew Barden and Dr. Nasreen Wahidi), nurses and specialists are highly-trained and use the latest in technology, high-tech monitoring and specialized care necessary to treat critically ill babies.

Additional Services Available at the Family Birth Center

Prenatal Education Classes

Covenant Medical Center offers a variety of classes for the entire family including prenatal, childbirth, breastfeeding, lamaze, baby care basics, infant massage and baby sign language. Sibling classes and baby-sitting clinics are also available to prepare big brothers and sisters for the new arrival. For specific class information call 319.272.8288 or check out the Education Classes page.

Meet Our Educators

Newborn Assessment Clinic

This assessment clinic is designed to ensure babies are healthy and adjusting at home, and to answer any questions mom may have since leaving the hospital. The newborn assessment clinic is available to all moms and babies just two or three days after discharge.

Breastfeeding Support Services

Covenant Medical Center has certified and highly experienced lactation consultants onsite to assist with breastfeeding issues before, during and after delivery. We also offer a Breastfeeding Support Program to help you and your baby enjoy all the benefits of breastfeeding while becoming familiar with various techniques. Call 319.272.MILK (6455) for more information.

Click here for a Feeding Log    (print for at home use)

Breastfeeding Support Group

This weekly support group assists new moms and babies with breastfeeding questions and concerns. There is no cost to attend. Meetings are held at Covenant Medical Center on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. on the fourth floor in the G Building in the Prenatal Clinic lobby area. Call 319.272.8465 for more information.

Maternal Child Home Health

Mother’s or babies with special needs can receive in-home follow-up visits from professionals to help mom and baby with special circumstances. Call (319) 272-5095 for more information.

A Woman's Place at Covenant

A unique on-site retail store for families offering various baby gifts, balloons, breastfeeding necessities, before and after pregnancy items, and preemie clothes for sale within the Family Birth Center. Some unique items you can find include:

• Breast pumps for sale or rent, including Hygeia breast pumps 
• Replacement parts for Medela breast pumps
• All types of nursing bras (even strapless ones sizes 32-52
• Kangaroo shirts, Moby Wraps and Over-the-Shoulder Baby Holders
• Lilypadz
• Boston Billow nursing pillows
• Nursing camisoles and covers
• Specialty feeding supplies
• Gripe Water
• More Milk Plus
• Birth Balls
• Celebration items
• Big Brother, Big Sister items
• Flower Arrangements

 A Woman's Place is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Early Developmental Intervention (EDI)

Families with a child who has developmental delays or a disability face many challenges. Covenant Medical Center's Early Developmental Intervention (EDI) program recognizes these challenges and has pediatric-trained professionals who are dedicated to helping each child communicate, play, move, learn and live life to the fullest.

The Early Developmental Intervention (EDI) program provides physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy services for children of all ages. We work with children with a variety of development delays, injuries and medical conditions. For more information, call 319.272.5600.

Pediatrics

When it comes to the health and wellbeing of your child, you want to find the right physician for you and your family. Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare has a highly-trained, professional network of physicians and pediatricians to help your child maintain good health, and overcome illness when it happens. Covenant’s physicians, nurses and other medical personnel are on staff and specialize in areas such as pediatrics, neonatology and family practice care. Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare also has specialists who can help treat rare diseases including the area’s only pediatric cardiologist. Offering the very finest in quality care, our health care professionals can provide the medical attention you need to nurse your child back to good health. Find a physician >