Unit Description: 20 postpartum and antepartum beds.

Patient Populations: The mother baby unit offers specialized maternity care for high risk antepartum, low and high risk postpartum, and normal newborns.

Unit Information: A comprehensive orientation for 6 to 8 weeks is mixed with staff preceptors and classroom discussions. Shifts are a mix of 8 and 12 hours every third weekend, straight shift and rotators, and a few weekend options lines. A certified lactation consultant and midwives are a part of the healthcare team.

Staff assignments include mother-baby couplets in a unique team approach provided by a mix of RN, LPN, and nursing assistant staff. Education for the entire family is our focus for all patients during and after the pregnancy. Newborn care may include infants receiving IV antibiotics and phototherapy. The nurses provide IV therapy, fetal monitoring, diabetes education, monitoring of patients requiring bed-rest, anticipatory care for mothers at risk for precipitous delivery, chorioamnionitis, premature delivery, placental abruption, HELLP syndrome (severe form of pre-eclampsia), and multiple gestation. Nurses improve patient care and outcomes through adequate and timely assessment of newborns and mothers.

Location: 6th Floor, John Pappajohn Pavilion