Labor and Delivery

When it’s time to give birth, you can count on UI Health Care to provide an experience that’s as safe as it is special.
Call Labor and Delivery at: (319) 356-2615

Choosing where to give birth is a big decision.  

You want to feel safe, knowing you and your baby are in capable hands. And you want to feel empowered, knowing you have a say in your birth experience. 

You’ll find these qualities—and more—when you choose University of Iowa Health Care. 

Our labor and delivery team delivers around 3,000 babies every year. With this level of experience, we can manage every type of birth, including: 

  • Natural births that don’t incorporate pain medicine or other medical interventions 
  • Vaginal births with an epidural or other types of pain relief 
  • Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) 
  • Planned cesarean births (C-section) and scheduled early deliveries 
  • High-risk deliveries that may be attended by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and/or a neonatologist  

Our approach to labor and delivery

No matter the type of childbirth support you want or need, you’ll find it with UI Health Care. We aim to keep you and your baby healthy while making your labor and delivery experience personalized and positive. 

Honoring your birth plan

When you give birth here, you’re more than just our patient. You’re also our partner.  

You know your body and its limits better than anyone, and you have the right to make your own birth-related decisions. So, please tell us if you have certain goals and preferences, such as using an epidural or a doula. 

As your care team, it’s our responsibility to provide any medical care you and your baby may need during labor and delivery. But another important part of our job is communication and shared decision-making. If we think it’s important to adjust your birth plan for any reason, you’ll be part of that discussion. 

Team-based care

Our obstetrics and gynecology team—the largest in Iowa—includes many different specialists. This gives you flexibility in choosing who will provide your pregnancy care and assist you during labor and delivery. It also means you have access to advanced care, should you or your baby need it. 

Our team members include: 

  • Obstetricians (OBs) who provide comprehensive prenatal care and oversee vaginal and cesarean births. 

  • Certified nurse midwives who provide prenatal care, assist during labor, and can oversee vaginal births. Our midwives use a holistic approach that allows labor and delivery to progress naturally, with limited medical intervention. 

  • Family Medicine physicians who provide pregnancy care, including prenatal, delivery, postpartum, and newborn care, plus breastfeeding support.

  • Anesthesiologists who specialize in providing safe, effective pain relief during labor and delivery. 

  • Maternal-fetal medicine specialists (MFMs) who provide advanced care to patients whose pregnancies and/or deliveries are considered high risk.  

  • Neonatologists who take care of babies who need medical treatment immediately after birth. This includes babies born prematurely or with medical conditions. 

What to expect

From the moment you go into labor until it’s time to bring your baby home, you’ll receive exceptional care and support. 

UI Health Care is ready and able to manage any type of birth. This includes deliveries that are known to be high risk and those that are expected to be uncomplicated.  

We offer: 

  • Birthing aids: You can manage your labor pain naturally using peanut balls, birthing balls, positioning balls, and more. We also offer labor tubs, aromatherapy, and wireless fetal monitoring. 
  • Pain medicine: If you prefer to ease your pain with medication, you’ll work with one of our OB anesthesiologists. For vaginal deliveries, we offer epidurals, spinal blocks, or combined spinal-epidural blocks. 
  • Surgery: Whether you’re scheduled to have a C-section or unexpectedly need one, you can have confidence in our surgical team. We have obstetric operating rooms, anesthesiology care, and a blood bank available 24/7. 

We’ll make sure you feel comfortable and well cared for until you’re ready to go home. Our services include: 

  • Family-friendly rooms: Our spacious postpartum rooms let you and your baby stay together—and bond in private. We also offer amenities such as free Wi-Fi and sleeping accommodations for your partner or support person. 
  • Breastfeeding support: Our international board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) can help you with breastfeeding challenges such as latching and positioning. You’ll have access to one-on-one support during your hospital stay and outpatient consultations once you’ve gone home.
  • Postpartum depression screenings: If you’ve had previous depression or anxiety, or feel sad or overwhelmed after giving birth, we’re here to help. We’ll screen you for signs of postpartum depression—a common and treatable condition—and connect you with the right resources.

If your newborn needs medical treatment, you can take comfort knowing we offer advanced neonatal care.  

University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is home to Iowa’s only Level 4 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This is the highest level of neonatal care a hospital can offer. It means we’re equipped to care for the tiniest or sickest babies, including those born as early as 22 weeks.  

Our Level 4 NICU designation also means your baby will never have to be transferred to another medical center. No matter what, you and your baby will stay together here in Iowa City.  

Labor and Delivery Tour - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

Our Care Team

David Bedell, MD portrait

David
Bedell
MD

  • Family Medicine
4.67 out of 5 (422 ratings)
Beth Cramer, MD portrait

Beth
Cramer
MD

  • Family Medicine
4.77 out of 5 (470 ratings)
Cara Drew, MD portrait

Cara
Drew
MD

  • Family Medicine
Jill Endres, MD, MS, FAAFP portrait

Jill
Endres
MD, MS, FAAFP

  • Family Medicine
4.78 out of 5 (682 ratings)
Kate DuChene Hanrahan, MD, MME, FAAFP portrait

Kate DuChene
Hanrahan
MD, MME, FAAFP

  • Family Medicine
4.82 out of 5 (508 ratings)
Sarah K. Jorgensen, DO portrait

Sarah K.
Jorgensen
DO

  • Family Medicine
4.66 out of 5 (99 ratings)
Michael J. Jung, MD portrait

Michael J.
Jung
MD

  • Family Medicine
  • Primary Care
Whitney Kaefring, MD, CLC portrait

Whitney
Kaefring
MD, CLC

  • Family Medicine
4.83 out of 5 (512 ratings)
Yulia Matveeva, MD portrait

Yulia
Matveeva
MD

  • Family Medicine
4.83 out of 5 (450 ratings)
Jeffrey D. Quinlan, MD, FAAFP portrait

Jeffrey D.
Quinlan
MD, FAAFP

  • Family Medicine
4.91 out of 5 (154 ratings)
Wendy Shen, MD, PhD portrait

Wendy
Shen
MD, PhD

  • Family Medicine
4.62 out of 5 (373 ratings)
Alka Walter, MBBS, MS portrait

Alka
Walter
MBBS, MS

  • Family Medicine
4.79 out of 5 (284 ratings)
Emily Welder, MD portrait

Emily
Welder
MD

  • Family Medicine
4.72 out of 5 (653 ratings)

Amanda Brant, MD portrait

Amanda
Brant
MD

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
Joseph Ehle, MD portrait

Joseph
Ehle
MD

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.87 out of 5 (85 ratings)
Kathryn J. Huber-Keener, MD, PhD portrait

Kathryn J.
Huber-Keener
MD, PhD

  • Cancer
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.82 out of 5 (386 ratings)
Rachel Maassen, MD, MBA portrait

Rachel
Maassen
MD, MBA

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.93 out of 5 (695 ratings)
Miriam Murray, MD portrait

Miriam
Murray
MD

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.87 out of 5 (300 ratings)
Stephanie Radke, MD portrait

Stephanie
Radke
MD

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.57 out of 5 (346 ratings)
Kelly Ward, MD portrait

Kelly
Ward
MD

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.94 out of 5 (869 ratings)

James N. Bates, MD, PhD portrait

James N.
Bates
MD, PhD

  • Anesthesia
Esperanza G. Ingersoll-Weng, MD portrait

Esperanza G.
Ingersoll-Weng
MD

  • Anesthesia
Unyime Ituk, MBBS, FCARCSI portrait

Unyime
Ituk
MBBS, FCARCSI

  • Anesthesia
David Kaczka, MD, PhD portrait

David
Kaczka
MD, PhD

  • Anesthesia

Kokila
Thenuwara
MBBS

  • Anesthesia
Cynthia A. Wong, MD portrait

Cynthia A.
Wong
MD

  • Anesthesia

Andrea L. Greiner, MD portrait

Andrea L.
Greiner
MD

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.48 out of 5 (471 ratings)
Stephen K. Hunter, MD, PhD portrait

Stephen K.
Hunter
MD, PhD

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.40 out of 5 (372 ratings)
Mark Santillan, MD, PhD portrait

Mark
Santillan
MD, PhD

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.66 out of 5 (348 ratings)

Abbey J. Hardy-Fairbanks, MD portrait

Abbey J.
Hardy-Fairbanks
MD

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.89 out of 5 (558 ratings)

Lastascia Coleman, CNM, ARNP, MSN, FACNM portrait

Lastascia
Coleman
CNM, ARNP, MSN, FACNM

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.77 out of 5 (198 ratings)
Laura Dellos, CNM, ARNP, MSN portrait

Laura
Dellos
CNM, ARNP, MSN

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.83 out of 5 (491 ratings)
Megan Drey, CNM, ARNP, MSN portrait

Megan
Drey
CNM, ARNP, MSN

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.74 out of 5 (80 ratings)
Amber Goodrich, CNM, ARNP, MSN, FACNM portrait

Amber
Goodrich
CNM, ARNP, MSN, FACNM

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.79 out of 5 (195 ratings)
Meredith Parizek, CNM, ARNP, DNP portrait

Meredith
Parizek
CNM, ARNP, DNP

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
Jaclyn R. Roman, CNM, ARNP, MS, CLC portrait

Jaclyn R.
Roman
CNM, ARNP, MS, CLC

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.67 out of 5 (295 ratings)
Christina M. Shutters, CNM, ARNP, MSN portrait

Christina M.
Shutters
CNM, ARNP, MSN

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.59 out of 5 (285 ratings)
Andrina M. Timmins, CNM, ARNP, MSN, WHNP portrait

Andrina M.
Timmins
CNM, ARNP, MSN, WHNP

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.55 out of 5 (59 ratings)
Rebecca Winnike, CNM, ARNP, MSN portrait

Rebecca
Winnike
CNM, ARNP, MSN

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
4.46 out of 5 (361 ratings)
Planning ahead for labor and delivery?
If you need to choose where you’ll give birth or have questions about your upcoming delivery, give us a call at 1-319-356-2615. We can provide information about our team or facility, answer questions about the check-in process, and more.

Locations and Offices

Labor and Delivery

6 John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP)
Level 6, Elevator I
1-319-356-2615
Clinic
Labor and Delivery main entrance at UI Hospitals & Clinics
In University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Clinical Trials currently in progress
Browse all clinical trials in progress

Related Health Topics

Browse More
Postpartum Resources
May 17, 2022
Congratulations on the birth of your baby. UI Health Care is here for you as you navigate this new journey into parenthood. Whether you had a vaginal ...
Delivering your baby by C-section
January 30, 2018
A C-section, also called a cesarean delivery or cesarean birth, is the surgical delivery of a baby through incisions in the mother’s abdomen and uteru...

Patient Stories

Welcoming your first baby during a pandemic
September 9, 2020
Becoming a parent for the first time can be scary. Having your first baby during a worldwide pandemic can add another layer of anxiety. And when you’r...
Michael and Tina Lung hold their daughter, Makayla Lily Lung, outside by a field of sunflowers
Collaborative care during high-risk pregnancy
November 7, 2017
Placenta accreta is a life-threatening condition where the placenta attaches too deep in the uterine wall. Most of the time, a hysterectomy is the onl...
Angie Poulsen and her family
Browse more stories

Related News

UI Hospitals & Clinics ranked among Best Hospitals for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report
December 7, 2022
Only two hospitals in Iowa met the bar for recognition. 

Educational Resources

Pre-operative instructions for women having a planned cesarean (C-section)
What you need to know about an epidural
What you need to know about anesthesia

Awards and Recognition

U.S. News & World Report - Maternity Care
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics has been named one of the nation’s top hospitals for maternity care by U.S. News & World Report.
Learn more