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.

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.

Labor and delivery

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.

Postpartum care

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.

Neonatal care

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 Tours

University Campus

Downtown Campus

Downtown campus also offers in-person tours of our labor and delivery unit. Please call 319-339-3912 to schedule.

Obstetrician Gynecologist

Allison

Boardman

MD, FACOG

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.56 out of 5 (150 ratings)

Holly

Bolger

DO

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.89 out of 5 (418 ratings)

Amanda

Brant

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.53 out of 5 (134 ratings)

Elyse

Brock

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)
Supportive and Palliative Care

4.55 out of 5 (109 ratings)

Lauren E.

Coyne

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.57 out of 5 (488 ratings)

Joseph

Ehle

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.84 out of 5 (289 ratings)

Kelly L.

Ferroni

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.89 out of 5 (307 ratings)

Michael L.

Haugsdal

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.80 out of 5 (553 ratings)

Kathryn J.

Huber-Keener

MD, PhD

Cancer
Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.85 out of 5 (616 ratings)

Flavia

Lessa

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

Rachel

Maassen

MD, MBA

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.92 out of 5 (851 ratings)

Miriam

Murray

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.89 out of 5 (512 ratings)

Stephanie

Radke

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.60 out of 5 (395 ratings)

Sarah

Shaffer

DO

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.89 out of 5 (1,165 ratings)

Jami L

Shepard

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

Laura L.

Steers

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.76 out of 5 (238 ratings)

Kelly

Ward

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.94 out of 5 (1,146 ratings)

Corbin

Weaver

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.60 out of 5 (141 ratings)

Lori S.

Wenzel

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

Family Medicine Physician

David

Bedell

MD

Family Medicine

4.70 out of 5 (583 ratings)

Beth

Cramer

MD

Family Medicine

4.77 out of 5 (651 ratings)

Cara

Drew

MD

Family Medicine

4.90 out of 5 (165 ratings)

Jill

Endres

MD, MS, FAAFP

Family Medicine

4.79 out of 5 (975 ratings)

Kate DuChene

Hanrahan

MD, MME, FAAFP

Family Medicine

4.79 out of 5 (964 ratings)

Sarah K.

Jorgensen

DO

Family Medicine

4.67 out of 5 (211 ratings)

Michael J.

Jung

MD

Family Medicine
Primary Care

4.91 out of 5 (639 ratings)

Yulia

Matveeva

MD

Family Medicine

4.84 out of 5 (613 ratings)

Jeffrey D.

Quinlan

MD, FAAFP

Family Medicine

4.91 out of 5 (351 ratings)

Wendy

Shen

MD, PhD

Family Medicine

4.61 out of 5 (549 ratings)

Alka

Walter

MBBS, MS

Family Medicine

4.83 out of 5 (510 ratings)

Emily

Welder

MD

Family Medicine

4.74 out of 5 (826 ratings)

Anesthesiologist

Esperanza G.

Ingersoll-Weng

MD

Anesthesia

Unyime

Ituk

MBBS, FCARCSI

Anesthesia

David

Kaczka

MD, PhD

Anesthesia

Kokila

Thenuwara

MBBS

Anesthesia

Cynthia A.

Wong

MD

Anesthesia

High-Risk Obstetrician

Andrea L.

Greiner

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.47 out of 5 (629 ratings)

Mark

Santillan

MD, PhD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.65 out of 5 (422 ratings)

Obstetrician Gynecologist - Complex Family Planning

Abbey J.

Hardy-Fairbanks

MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.88 out of 5 (763 ratings)

Certified Nurse-Midwife

Lastascia

Coleman

CNM, ARNP, MSN, FACNM

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.75 out of 5 (230 ratings)

Laura

Dellos

CNM, ARNP, MSN

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.82 out of 5 (669 ratings)

Megan

Drey

CNM, ARNP, MSN

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.75 out of 5 (188 ratings)

Amber

Goodrich

CNM, ARNP, MSN, FACNM

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.77 out of 5 (278 ratings)

Kelly

Horn

ARNP, DNP, CNM

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.72 out of 5 (31 ratings)

Abbie

Knudson

ARNP

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.63 out of 5 (33 ratings)

Sophia

Namazzi

ARNP, CNM, DNP

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.31 out of 5 (30 ratings)

Meredith

Parizek

CNM, ARNP, DNP

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.72 out of 5 (142 ratings)

Jaclyn R.

Roman

CNM, ARNP, MS, CLC

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.66 out of 5 (402 ratings)

Christina M.

Shutters

CNM, ARNP, MSN

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.58 out of 5 (372 ratings)

Andrina M.

Timmins

CNM, ARNP, MSN, WHNP

Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN)

4.50 out of 5 (156 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.