Birthing Services-Programs & Services

Antepartum Unit Breastfeeding Services Birthing Center Diabetes & Pregnancy Services Education & Classes Natural Family Planning Newborn Intensive Care Unit

Pediatric Services Perinatal Assessment Center Social Services Ultrasounds Universal Hearing Screenings Website Nursery

Antepartum Unit
In the event that a high risk pregnancy would have you staying with us at the Columbia St. Mary’s Women's Hospital prior to the birth of your baby, rest assured that you would be staying in a comfortable and attractive room on our Antepartum Unit and would be cared for by a knowledgeable and compassionate nursing staff along with other members of the health care team. To contact the Antepartum Unit call (414) 291-1142.

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Breastfeeding Services
Along with breastfeeding classes, we offer the services of international board certified lactation consultants and educators, nursing staff with breastfeeding support skills, inpatient assistance, a telephone help-line and outpatient assistance. Special support is available for expectant mothers with special circumstances - women expecting multiple births, mothers with a history of breast surgery and mothers with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. To contact Breastfeeding Services call: Milwaukee Hospital (414) 291-1440; Breast pumps may be purchased at our Milwaukee Hospital Birthing Center. Please call the Breastfeeding Help Line, (414) 291-1440, Monday - Friday from 9am - 3pm to ensure your product(s) are in stock.

Click here to find additional information regarding breastfeeding your baby, for which we have provided a brief overview.

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Birthing Center
Our birthing center has been designed to provide personal comfort and privacy. Our staff is highly skilled and our care is focused on your individual needs and desires regarding the birth of your baby. We offer a wide variety of pain management options, including epidurals, and comfort techniques such as aromatherapy and birthing balls. We make every effort to help you feel right at home in an atmosphere that promotes a wonderful, memorable birthing experience. We encourage family centered maternity care so that you may have those people with you as you move into parenthood during your stay with us.

Columbia St. Mary's Women's Hospital
Birthing Center
2323 N. Lake Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 291-1142

Click here for driving directions.

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Education & Classes
When you choose to give birth at the Columbia St. Mary’s you will be well cared for with our wide variety of services available.

The goal of perinatal education classes sponsored by Columbia St. Mary’s is to prepare pregnant women and their families for a meaningful and healthy pregnancy, birth and parenting experience.

We offer classes for both first time parents and experienced parents. We offer classes for parents after the birth of their babies. Our classes offer a wide variety of teaching techniques which will also benefit you in your daily life as we present information and techniques as life skills.

We encourage moms-to-be to register early as classes tend to fill quickly. We also encourage you to attend classes with your support person. For a complete list of classes and descriptions click here. For more information and to register, call (414) 963-WELL (9355).

If there are concerns about payment for class, scholarships may be available.

You may also contact the Perinatal Education Coordinator at (414) 291-1025 for additional questions.

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Natural Family Planning
With Columbia St. Mary’s Women's Hospital commitment to Catholic values, our Birthing Services also offer Natural Family Planning services. A certified Natural Family Planning Practitioner offers consultations and instruction on achieving or avoiding pregnancy. Please call for an appointment (414) 291-1750.

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Pediatric Services... Healthcare for Your Child
It is important to select a qualified physician for your baby from the very beginning. We encourage expectant parents to select a health care provider for their babies before they are born. Columbia St. Mary's has caring, qualified physicians on staff, and we offer a free physician referral service for your convenience. Call (414) 963-WELL (9355) for more information on a physician located at an office or clinic near you.

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Social Services
Specialists are available to help parents and families cope with emotional and social concerns that may arise during pregnancy and throughout the first year of your baby's life. Services include referring families to resources in the community, and arranging for insurance approved follow-up care including medical equipment, supplies, outpatient rehabilitation therapy or nursing visits to the home. To contact Social Services call (414) 291-1955.

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Ultrasounds
Along with our team expertise, we offer state of the art high resolution ultrasounds allowing families to view images of their baby moving in real time.

We can record your ultrasound for you. If you would like to take a copy of your ultrasound home with you, please bring a blank DVD that is marked +RW. Blank DVDs are also available for purchase in the hospital pharmacy should you forget to bring one to your ultrasound appointment.

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Universal Hearing Screenings
We were the first in the state to offer a Universal Hearing Screening Program. All newborns are screened for hearing problems before they are discharged from the hospital.

The hearing test is a simple, non-invasive procedure performed while the baby is sleeping. Parents are given information about the potential for hearing loss during early childhood, and receive a checklist of speech and hearing milestones from birth to five years of age. The program has been very successful in identifying newborns with congenital hearing loss.

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Website Nursery
Columbia St. Mary’s Women's Hospital provides a nursery website. While in the hospital parents can have images taken of their baby and the baby's photograph can appear on our nursery website. Photos are not posted on the nursery website unless the mother signs a consent form. Click here for more information.