Birth Center

Western Wisconsin Health offers anytime, anywhere parent education powered by YoMingo®, an education program designed to give you convenient access to valuable information. It includes the tools and support you need at every stage of your pregnancy.

YoMingo gives you access to:

• Evidence-based information on prenatal care, labor and birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, and newborn care (including lots of videos)
• Information specific to your arrival and stay at Western Wisconsin Health
• List of available classes and support groups
• Kick counter, contraction timer, personal journal, feeding log, immunization log, and other tools

This education powered by YoMingo is available on any device with an internet connection and also as a mobile app. It is also available in multiple languages.

You will receive more information regarding this program and how to register at your initial appointment.

Already registered? Log in here.

If you should have questions about this education resource, please contact:
Erica Hanson, RNC-OB, IBCLC
715-684-1209

Western Wisconsin Health offers complimentary 30-minute massage therapy and acupuncture sessions to new mothers. You may get both massage and acupuncture. If you would like your massage session to be longer, additional time may be added for $1/minute, which can be paid by cash, check, or credit card.

You may also choose to use the complimentary massage therapy session to learn and practice infant massage with a massage therapist.

Massage Therapy

Postpartum massage is a great way to care for yourself and your baby after birth. As a new mom, you need to take care of yourself while caring for your newborn. Postpartum massage can help you decrease the discomforts of afterbirth and help you relax and feel cared for during this intense time of your mothering journey.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be used during the birth process to help manage pain and promote contractions. One study found that the group of women who received acupuncture had more cervical ripening and shorter labors compared to the group that did not receive acupuncture. You may use your complimentary 30-minute session during labor, if the acupuncturist is available, or for postpartum care.

The following are ways acupuncture can benefit you:

• Labor induction
• Labor and delivery
• Postpartum wellness
• Lactation support
• Urinary retention
• Postpartum depression/anxiety

To schedule an appointment, please call 715-684-1111. 

The birth center has a plethora of tools to support you in your labor journey. We have birth balls and peanut balls to support multiple positions during labor both in and out of bed and two types of birth stools to support upright birthing position. Handheld mirror, massage tools, and heat packs are also available.

The birthing sling is the newest addition to the comfort tools available to patients.

Benefits may include:

• Natural pain relief
• Shorter labor
• Reduced risk of medical interventions
• Reduced risk of C-section birth

We have compiled some tips, tricks, and reminders for you and your partner or support team to use during labor.

Talking About Labor

• Welcome the power of your body.
• Strong contractions are more effective.
• Take on one contraction at a time.

Positive Messages for Laboring Moms

• You’re strong and powerful, just like your body.
• Our baby is coming. Each contraction brings us closer to our baby.
• I love you. Thank you for bringing our baby into the world.
• Inhale peace, exhale tension.
• You are safe and in control.
• You are amazing and strong.
• Your body is doing just what it needs to do to bring our baby into the world.

Labor Stages

Early Labor: Excitement

What’s happening: Spaced or inconsistent labor with short contractions.

To do:

• Pay attention to the time of day.
• Ignore/deny.
• Have a list of things to do to help occupy this time.
• Relax, let it happen.

Active Labor: Acceptance

What’s happening: Regular contractions, mama is focused during contraction but moving and talking “like normal” in between.

To do:

• Use labor positions.
• Alternate between resting and active positions every 30-60 minutes.
• Use body balance techniques: side-lying release, forward leaning inversion, and belly sifting.
• Add comfort, as needed.
• Eat and drink.

Active Labor: Seriousness

What’s happening: Strong, regular contractions every 3-5 minutes, lasting a minute or more.  Focused breathing is now serious between contractions, too.

To do:

• Prepare for the trip to the hospital.
• Use labor positions and comfort tools. 
• Keep eating and drinking.
• Use words of encouragement and relaxation.

Labor Checklist

Mama

• Total relaxation
• Eyes closed
• Jaw relaxed
• Hands open
• Regular abdominal breathing

Birth Team

• Check position. Make her as comfortable as possible.
• Talk to her in a slow, relaxing, and steady voice.
• Help her with belly breathing. Remind her to use long, low sounds for vocalizations.
• Rub her back.

Between contractions:

• Offer fluids/food.
• Encourage position changes every 30-60 minutes.
• Add comfort measures, as needed.
• Remind her to empty her bladder every 1-2 hours.
• Keep the space calm, and soothing with music and aromatherapy.

Comfort Tools

• Cold pack
• Warm pack (rice sock)
• Massage tools
• Essential oils
• Water (tub/shower)
• Rebozo
• Vocal sounds
• Birthing ball
• Music
• Dim lighting (electric candles)
• Positions and movement
• Food and water
• Comfortable, easy to remove clothing
• Rhythmic ritual with each contraction

Comfort for Support Team

• Wear comfortable shoes
• Bring sweatshirt/layers
• Remember to eat and drink
• Remember to use the bathroom
• Rest when mom rests
• Bring your favorite snacks and beverages (limited choices are available at night)

The Western Wisconsin Health Birth Center strives to provide the birthing experience you desire. You may choose to labor with the support of very few, or you may see your birth as a family experience with family, friends, and/or support professionals. We comfortably incorporate fathers, partners, and children into the process as desired.

From the moment you go into labor until the precious moments following the birth of your baby, our focus is to provide you with uninterrupted time with your new baby with as little interference as possible. Your baby will go to you immediately after the birth and remain undisturbed, skin-to-skin, for as long as possible. We will assess your newborn without disrupting those essential first moments of bonding. We strongly encourage breastfeeding and follow research suggesting initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of life is of utmost importance.

We offer the option of water birth at Western Wisconsin Health because the best available evidence demonstrates that hydrotherapy offers physiological and psychological benefits in labor and birth.

Immersion in water during labor provides comfort, supports relaxation, and is a safe and effective pain relief strategy that promotes natural childbirth. Both the mother and father can go into the tub during the laboring process.

Pain relief is the most clearly established benefit of laboring in water. When a woman labors in water, the relaxation of the water allows the hormones of labor to effectively progress the labor process and the warmth decreases the stress hormones. One of these natural labor hormones is oxytocin. Oxytocin production often increases when women are immersed in deep warm water, which can speed up labor without any increase in sensation or pain. Oxytocin also produces feelings of calm and well-being.

Our lactation consultants are registered nurses who are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners. They offer support to mothers learning how to breastfeed. Mothers may request to see a lactation consultant during their hospital stay, prenatal visit, or after discharge as an outpatient. These outpatient services are often covered by insurance.

Our Lactation Consultants can assist with following:

• Breastfeeding issues
• Latch-on difficulty
• Sore/damaged nipples
• Engorgement
• Milk supply concerns
• Plugged ducts/mastitis
• Milk expression and storage information
• Weaning advice

To schedule an appointment, please call the birth center at 715-684-1455. 

Come and learn how to prepare for an amazing and positive birth experience! Understand the rhythm and stages of labor, your body’s natural hormones, and how to avoid the fear-tension-pain cycle. Gain practical tools for comfort and positions in labor, and know your options regarding medications and birth plans for both vaginal birth and gentle, family-centered cesarean birth.

Your birth partner will also learn helpful ways to support you while enhancing your shared experience. Finish prepared for the basics of newborn care and an easier postpartum transition. This interactive class will include a tour of the beautiful, peaceful Birth Center at Western Wisconsin Health.

The curriculum for this class is inspired by Plumtree Baby.

Class Testimonials

This is what participants are saying about this series:

What did you enjoy about the class?

“Friendly, open, welcoming.”

“Informative class in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.”

“Guest Speakers were great!”

“Hands on activities.”

“Enjoyed having a provider come talk to the group to answer questions.”

What did you learn?

“I learned relaxation techniques and things I can do to help my wife in labor.”

“We learned different techniques for helping labor to progress NATURALLY.”

“We learned tools for coping with labor in natural ways.”

“I didn’t know how common C-sections were or how low the rates are here.”

What was helpful?

“Writing down my fears.”

“Provided us with numerous AMAZING options.”

“I have so many options and choices to make my own decisions.  I don’t have to just do what is told by the doctor.”

“The hands on/practice sessions for couples were helpful for developing/building partner involvement.”

Breastfeeding Class

In addition to all the valuable information you will learn in the childbirth preparation classes, please join us for breastfeeding preparation to learn how to set yourself up for a successful breastfeeding experience for you and your baby.

In this session, you will learn:

• Learn how to care for your post partum body with simple solutions that are easy to implement into your new motherhood routine
• The health benefits of breastfeeding for mom and baby
• How to breastfeed/latch your baby comfortably
• Trouble shooting common concerns in the first weeks, including post partum recovery concerns
• Ergonomics of positioning in breastfeeding, as well as transferring/carrying your baby for an easier, more comfortable recovery 

For questions about classes, please call 715-684-1209.

Western Wisconsin Health has a state-of-the-art infant security system in place. Your baby will be safe and secure while in our facility.

We offer the freedom of movement even with a condition which may necessitate the use of continued fetal monitoring. Our wireless fetal monitor system allows movement throughout the facility as well as walks outdoors. It is even water immersible to allow for continuous fetal monitoring during hydrotherapy and/or water birth.

Western Wisconsin Heath believes so strongly in promotion of breastfeeding that we have a dedicated well-furnished room for breastfeeding consultations and education.

At Western Wisconsin Health, patients are given the option of a family-centered, gentle cesarean birth when the surgeon deems it appropriate. Family-centered, gentle cesarean birth mimics the situation at vaginal birth by allowing the parents to watch the birth of their child as active participants. As quickly as possible, the new baby is placed onto the mother’s chest for early skin-to-skin. Increasing evidence shows that women undergoing cesarean birth have a less satisfactory childbirth experience than those delivering vaginally and are more prone to postpartum depression, bonding difficulties, and unsuccessful breastfeeding. We are offering this option, when appropriate, to increase maternal-newborn bonding.

We offer a full range of wellness and educational services including: pediatrics, integrative medicine, prenatal yoga and aquatics, integrative health techniques, nutritional counseling, childbirth education, lactation support, and more.

At Western Wisconsin Health, we welcome visitors at any time depending on the patient’s condition, accommodations, and care plan. For your convenience, there is a family waiting area located near the Birth Center.

We do ask that if you are ill or have been ill recently, you do not come to visit mother and baby. When you are here, please use the foam hand sanitizer which is available throughout the facility.

Contact us today to schedule a tour or to learn more about our Birth Center and providers.

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