Services

Childbirth Classes
Our 365 WebNursery®
Family Care Center
Pediatrics
Birth Plan

At Sanford Bemidji Medical Center we deliver over 1,000 babies each year. Our Birthing Center provides patient-centered, individualized care. We strive to meet your goals for childbirth while providing you all the safety and back up services you would expect. Our Birthing Center is a six bed unit with combined labor/delivery/recovery rooms and a nursery. The center is staffed by registered nurses specially trained in obstetric nursing and newborn care.

Additional features of the center include:

• 35 private patient rooms (can convert to semi-private if needed)
• Level Two Obstetrics Unit - over 1,000 births per year
• Level Two Nursery (NICU) (we care for a large number of high-risk infants)
• Free breastfeeding consultant available to visit in the hospital or in free breastfeeding clinic
• Women's services with gynecological surgery services
• Childbirth classes
• Pediatric friendly environment

Contact us at: (218) 333-5755

 

Facility Tours

We recommend that you contact the Education Department at (218) 333-5578 or by e-mail at education-BEM@sanfordhealth.org to schedule childbirth classes and/or a tour of our facility at least 6-8 weeks before your due date. This chance to meet our staff, see our facilities, and get your questions answered will help you be more relaxed as you anticipate labor and delivery.

Birthing Suites

Each of the six suites features a birthing bed that allows mom to transition from labor into the delivery phase, and then to recovery without having to transfer to another room. Each suite also offers a chair that converts into a bed for a family member or other support person, a special area for the baby, and a private bathroom for mom including a tub to aid expectant mothers in the birthing process. The suite has a TV and VCR/DVD player and a CD player that can be used for entertainment along with a host of educational programs via our educational television system, e-TV, and satellite television.

Labor and Delivery Experience

Our goal is to work with you to assure the safest and most comfortable birth possible. We have combined labor/delivery/recovery rooms equipped to meet the needs of OB patients. A variety of options for pain relief are available. We encourage your family and friends to be with you as you feel appropriate; however, there may be times we cannot accommodate everyone.

Lullaby

Brahms’ Lullaby plays whenever a new baby is born and can be heard throughout the hospital. It is known to be therapeutic for other hospitalized patients to know that a baby has been born.

Training and Experience

While the vast majority of pregnancies, deliveries, and babies are healthy, some patients need specialized care. Our physicians and nursing staff continue to educate themselves to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques and research. All of the OB nurses have completed Neonatal Resuscitation classes, and many are certified in either obstetrics or nursery care. Our level two obstetrics unit and level two nursery are equipped to care for babies with complications. Women in danger of delivery several weeks early and/or critically ill babies will be stabilized until a skilled transport team arrives to take these patients to a hospital providing the extra care required.

Our Nursery

Our nursery, made possible by a generous donation from the Potlatch Corporation, has large windows to allow in natural sunlight.  Studies suggest exposure to natural light is an effective treatment for jaundice and can be very healthful to newborns as well as staff.

Our well-equipped nursery is staffed 24-hours a day by licensed registered nurses that have been trained to care for newborns.  All obstetrics and nursery personnel are S.T.A.B.L.E. (six-step educational program to stabilize newborns who become ill or develop problems) and  NRP (neonatal resuscitation) certified. Both are certifications NICU, or level two nursery, nurses take to help them care of newborns when they become ill and require specialized care.

Birthing Center Visitation Guidelines  
 

Online Nursery      

When that day finally arrives and a new baby is born, most parents can’t wait to share the news with their family and friends.  Our 365 WebNursery® is our online web nursery where parents who have had a baby at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center may choose to post a newborn photo with all the birth statistics so loved ones far and near can get their first look at the new arrival.  Other online options from Our 365 WebNursery® include:

• Update babies information
• Share page with family and friends
• Purchase prints, keepsakes, or personalized gifts
• Upload additional photos
• Post comments

To see the latest arrivals of newborns whose parents chose to use the WebNursery, visit Our 365 WebNursery® .  

Breastfeeding Support

A lactation consultant provides free breastfeeding support services for mothers and babies from birth throughout the breastfeeding relationship. We have an experienced board certified lactation consultant who sees new mothers in the hospital after delivery and schedules free appointments for babies and mothers having breastfeeding problems once back home. Breastfeeding problems such as infants with difficulty latching on, excess weight loss or slow weight gain, painful nursing, or other feeding difficulties are evaluated and treated.

Once you leave the hospital, a free Walk-in Breastfeeding Clinic is held twice a week at Bemidji’s Sanford Health Clinic. For current dates, times, and locations call the clinic directly at (218) 333-5000.

Caring for your Newborn

Families are encouraged to take part in their new baby’s care in order to facilitate the learning process of parenting. This is promoted by families being able to keep their new baby in their room day and night if desired. Our nursery is available if needed.

Additional information as you prepare for the birth of your baby:

Hospital Information
Resources & Contacts
Substance Abuse & Pregnancy
Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression
Skin-to-Skin Contact
Keeping your Baby Safe