Birth Center
When moms need extra courage, babies need extra care, dads need extra reassurance and families need extra understanding, the Birth Center at St. Francis Hospital delivers.
You Can Count on Us
We encourage parents-to-be to schedule an in-person tour of the Birth Center. You will see the pre-admission office, observation area, birthing rooms, family waiting area and other areas important to your stay. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about birth options, hospital procedures and services available during your stay. Tours are included in all childbirth classes and can be taken during one of our regularly scheduled times.
Our Services
Look no further than the Birth Center at St. Francis Hospital for a family-friendly and comfortable environment during this most joyous occasion. All of your needs-before, during and after the birth, will be handled with the highest level of care. You can count on us to be there through it all.
Birth center features
Welcome them to the world in a family-friendly environment
Look no further than the Birth Center at St. Francis Hospital for a family-friendly and comfortable environment during this most joyous occasion. All of your needs-before, during and after the birth, will be handled with the highest level of care. You can count on us to be there through it all.
- Preadmission birth program allowing moms-to-be the option to be fully preadmitted before they go into labor, minimizing the interruption of their childbirth process
- World-class obstetricians
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialists to meet the needs of high-risk pregnancy moms-to-be
- First trimester screening including fetal echocardiograms and neurosonograms
- Neonatal/maternal transport vehicle to respond to the needs of high-risk pregnancy moms-to-be and infants throughout southern Colorado
- Specialized OB Emergency Department Assessment Center (Please note that ER co-pays may apply.) – Located in our Birth Center, the OB Emergency Department Assessment Center is staffed by obstetric providers to provide the expertise you need, whenever you need it. Each OB patient is seen by a knowledgeable, qualified medical professional and patients are provided detailed follow-up instructions to ensure a continuum of care if necessary. Immediate care is provided for acute OB conditions, including:
- Pelvic pain
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Antenatal conditions
- Pain/bleeding in 2nd & 3rd trimester
- Pre-term labor
- Ten spacious antepartum rooms
- Seven triage rooms for patients at 20-weeks gestation or more
- Twelve family-friendly labor/delivery rooms
- A dedicated spa room for use in labor
- Two dedicated C-section operating suites with three bays for post-anesthesia recovery
- Thirty-four spacious post-partum mom/baby suites with jacuzzi tubs or showers
- Daybeds in each room for the comfort of Dad or a significant other
- Comfortable, spacious family waiting areas with free wireless Internet access
- "Hugs & Kisses" security system providing electronic mom/baby verification matching with comprehensive infant security
- Designated "Quiet Time" to give new moms and baby time to bond and rest
- Classes to help moms, dads and family members prepare for birth, baby and beyond
- International Board Certified Lactation Consultants to assist you with breastfeeding
- The Lactation Center Boutique offering services and items to support nursing mothers
- Infant photography services
- Newborn Hope Resource Room
- Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) should your baby need specialized care
Level III NICU
Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
The Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Francis Hospital specializes in providing high-level care to premature babies and babies with severe medical problems. The NICU at St. Francis Hospital consists of 48 private rooms that foster a family-centered approach to care during one of your life’s most precious occasions.
NICU Couplet Rooms
Additionally, St. Francis Hospital is proud to be first in Colorado to offer two couplet rooms within the NICU, where qualifying moms and late-preterm babies can be admitted together for their care. Specially trained nurses maintain round-the-clock care and observation of your baby's condition.
A dedicated NICU transport vehicle is available to transport high-risk pregnant women and the most fragile newborns should they need specialized care. Our Maternal/Child Transport team serves communities in southern Colorado.
The Newborn Hope Resource Room is conveniently located next to the NICU. The room provides a computer with Internet access, books and medical journals to help you and other family members find the resources you need regarding your child's medical condition.
Maternal Fetal Medicine
For expectant mothers, the prospect of having a baby is both a joyous and exciting one, and most pregnancies proceed smoothly. But for a number of reasons, some women need to be watched more closely during pregnancy. In this case, a woman's obstetrician may suggest she consult with a maternal fetal medicine specialist.
A maternal fetal medicine specialist is a physician devoted to the care of a pregnant women with high-risk complications such as medical problems (diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases such as lupus), pregnancy-related problems (preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, preeclampsia), and also devoted to expertise in prenatal diagnosis by ultrasound and genetic testing. Women are generally referred to a maternal fetal medicine specialist by their obstetrician or by an infertility specialist because he or she sees a potential for a pregnancy-related health concern or because a problem develops during the course of the pregnancy.
A pregnancy may be considered high-risk for a variety of reasons:
- The mother has medical conditions that began before pregnancy, such as diabetes
- The mother develops a medical condition during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia
- The mother experienced problems in a previous pregnancy, such as miscarriage
- Problems are detected in the developing baby
- Complications occur during pregnancy, such as premature labor
- The mother is pregnant with multiples (twins or more)
Should you need the services of a maternal fetal medicine specialist, St. Francis Hospital and the Birth Center are pleased to partner with Southern Colorado Maternal Fetal Medicine.
Pre-admission program
Our pre-admission program is designed to make your hospital admission relaxed and worry free. A pre-admission appointment gives you the opportunity to talk with an experienced Birth Center nurse, share your birth preferences and ask questions about your upcoming birth experience. It's ideal to make your pre-admission appointment when you are approximately 31 weeks pregnant. Appointments are approximately 45 minutes in length and are available Monday through Friday. Birth Center tours are not included during your appointment.
What to bring to your appointment:
- Insurance card
- Your questions
- Birth preferences sheet (optional)
- Complete pre-admission form
Birth classes & family education
The birth of your child is a unique and cherished event for you and your family. At the completion of one of our classes, we want you to feel empowered, well-prepared and confident as you get closer to the birth of your baby. Our classes are designed with you in mind. They are taught by certified instructors and we limit the class size to no more than 12 couples so we can give every participant personal attention. We offer a variety of classes to support you through birth, baby and beyond.
We recommend you complete your classes two to three weeks prior to your due date. All classes will be taught at St. Francis Hospital.
For information, contact Family Education 719-571-3125 or the Class Registration Assistance Line at 719-571-3131.
Refunds
Classes have requirements for minimum and maximum numbers of attendees. (If a class is cancelled or rescheduled, we will notify you and reschedule or refund your money.) If you must cancel your reservation, contact us at 719-571-3131 as soon as possible so we can open the class to others who may be on a waiting list.
Weather Cancellations
For information as to whether a class is cancelled due to bad weather, contact us.
Phone: 719-571-3125 or 719-571-1000
A decision is generally made by 2:00 pm on the day of the class.
Parking and Classroom Location at St. Francis Hospital
When you arrive to St. Francis Hospital, park on the top deck at the main entrance or use valet parking at the main entrance.
Conference rooms on the garden level no longer exist. We recommend you complete classes 4 weeks prior to your due date. CPR kits are $48.50.
Would you like to learn infant CPR on your schedule and at your pace? The American Heart Association has designed a personal learning program that will teach you and other family members basic infant CPR lifesaving skills in the privacy of your own home in just 22 minutes. The Infant CPR Anytime® kit contains a Mini BabyTM CPR learning manikin and an Infant CPR Skills Practice DVD. Kit is reusable for future CPR skills review.
Cost: $44.95 per kit
Adult/Child CPR Anytime kit also available.
Location: Available for purchase in The Lactation Center on the third floor of St. Francis Hospital.
Phone: 719-571-3100
Can’t come to class? Class can come to you! Our new online childbirth class is the perfect alternative for busy parents needing a flexible class schedule, for moms on bed rest or as a refresher course! While nothing can replace the personal connection of an on-site childbirth class, you’ll learn the same essential information, including what’s happening to your changing body, how you’ll know when you are really in labor, helpful comfort techniques, advice for partners, an overview of medical procedures, and much more. Besides self-paced reading, this class utilizes video clips, animations, interactive games and printable PDFs.
Here is how the Online Childbirth Class works
- Register and pay for your class by calling 719-571-3125 or 719-571-3131.
- You will receive a welcome email and instructions to log in to the program. You will have access for the next six weeks.
- Review the class at your own pace.
- Go to our classes calendar to register online for a Tour of The Birth Center.
- After completing your class, you may want to consider attending the Practicing Labor Skills class.
Cost: $60 for the online class
- Online classes are also offered in Spanish.
- After purchasing an online class, individuals will have 9 months to complete it.
This option is convenient for those who desire one-on-one class time with a childbirth educator. Classes are held at St. Francis Hospital at a date and time that is agreed upon by parents and instructor. The number and length of class sessions and the content included is determined by your individual needs. Call (719) 571-3125 for private class referral.
Cost: $35 per hour, plus $6 for book.
This is a private class for families who want their child(ren) to attend the birth. Class is individualized for your child(ren) ages 4 to 18. Age-appropriate discussion of female anatomy, growth and development of the baby, and labor and delivery is presented using slides and demonstration with dolls. How the child can “help,” and common fears, concerns and questions are addressed. Class is held in a birthing room (if one is available) and taught by a certified childbirth educator/nurse. The child(ren), one or both parents and the child(ren)’s support person should attend the class. The support person for children under 14 should be someone, other than the labor coach, who will be responsible for their care during the labor and birth. Classes are scheduled between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. We are sorry we are unable to provide evening or weekend classes. Call Family Education, 719-571-3125, for further details or to schedule a class for your child(ren) and family.
Cost: $35 per class (usually takes 40 to 60 minutes)
Meet and support other nursing mothers. A lactation consultant will be present for questions and you can weigh your baby. Tuesdays, 1:00 - 2:00 pm. Learn more & register.
Breastfeeding services
The Birth Center team at St. Francis Hospital is committed to supporting your choice to breastfeed. We offer the following programs and services to help you and your baby succeed.
Breastfeeding Classes & Support
Whether you are preparing for breastfeeding after the birth of your baby, or are looking for support while breastfeeding your newborn, our education classes can help. When accessing our class list with the button below, you can filter for breastfeeding related classes and support groups by placing "breastfeeding" in the event list search tool.
Should you need breastfeeding training, education or support while in the hospital, our specially trained Mother-Baby nurses and Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) will help you breastfeed right from the start.
If you have difficulty breastfeeding after leaving the hospital, need additional support or education, you can schedule a private consultation with one of our lactation consultants. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact us.
Phone: 719-571-3100
Got milk? You can give the gift that only a mother can give - breast milk. Many infants have special health needs and require breast milk feedings in order to thrive. The purpose of the Mother's Milk bank is to screen, collect, store and dispense human milk, by prescription only, to these needy little ones. The program is managed by Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center in Denver and St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs is the local milk collection site. For more information, a screening interview or instructions contact us.
Phone: 303-869-1888
We are proud to have the only hospital-based lactation store in Colorado Springs. The Lactation Center is conveniently located on the 3rd floor of St. Francis Hospital. This one-stop shop makes it easy for you or a loved one to rent or purchase a breast pump, nursing bras, breastfeeding support products and other unique items before you leave the hospital. Learn More.
For breastfeeding questions after you leave the hospital, one of our lactation consultants will be happy to answer your questions. Contact us.
Phone: 719-571-3018
Fertility Care & natural family planning
Fertility Care™ is a program based on the Creighton Model Fertility Care™ System, which is extensively researched and designed to help couples either achieve or avoid pregnancy.
Advantages of this program include:
- Medically safe, no health risks or side effects
- Highly reliable - 99 percent effective in avoiding pregnancy and 76 percent effective to achieve pregnancy under normal conditions
- Easy to learn - when professionally facilitated by a certified practitioner
- Inexpensive - provides a lifetime benefit for a minimal financial investment
- Valuable aid for couples who are having difficulty achieving pregnancy
- Highly versatile - can be used at any stage in a woman's reproductive life-women who have irregular cycles, are breastfeeding or are pre-menopausal can use the method effectively
- Natural
- Morally acceptable - taught in churches worldwide
- Charges for follow-up sessions may be covered by insurance
Register Online
Introductory sessions are held once a month. Please register online for these sessions.
Support services
Colorado Springs Hospital Based Lactation Center
The Lactation Center at St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs is designed to support the needs of new moms and moms-to-be. The Center specializes in breastfeeding support, breast pump rentals and sales, and items centered on making breastfeeding comfortable and convenient.
We offer a full Medela® product assortment as well as the expertise of our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), product specialists and certified bra fitters. The Lactation Center truly is a one-stop service. No matter what your breastfeeding needs are, we can fully assist you and your baby to ensure you have the best breastfeeding experience possible.
Some of our services and product lines include:
- Outpatient appointments with a Lactation Consultant
- Breast pump rentals, sales and replacement parts
- Donor milk sales
The Lactation Center is located on the third floor of St. Francis Hospital.
Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
- Thursday, Saturday & Sunday: Closed
We are pleased to offer you and your baby a Quiet Time every afternoon between 2:00 - 4:00 pm. when the lights on the unit will be dimmed and the noise level will be as quiet as possible. This is an optional program giving you precious bonding time and rest. Essential and requested services will still be available. We encourage you to ask your visitors to come to the unit outside of these hours.
What is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression is a serious illness that can occur in the first few months after childbirth. It also can happen after miscarriage and stillbirth. Postpartum depression can make you feel very sad, hopeless, and worthless. You may have trouble caring for and bonding with your baby. Postpartum depression is not the "baby blues," which many women have in the first couple of weeks after childbirth. With the blues, you may have trouble sleeping and feel moody, teary, and overwhelmed. You may have these feelings along with being happy about your baby. But the "baby blues" usually go away within a couple of weeks. The symptoms of postpartum depression can last for months.
In rare cases, a woman may have a severe form of depression called postpartum psychosis. She may act strangely, see or hear things that aren't there, and be a danger to herself and her baby. This is an emergency, because it can quickly get worse and put her or others in danger. It's very important to get treatment for depression. The sooner you get treated, the sooner you'll feel better and enjoy your baby.
What causes postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression seems to be brought on by the changes in hormone levels that occur after pregnancy. Any woman can get postpartum depression in the months after childbirth, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
You have a greater chance of getting postpartum depression if:
- You've had depression or postpartum depression before.
- You have poor support from your partner, friends, or family.
- You have a sick or colicky baby.
- You have a lot of other stress in your life.
- You are more likely to get postpartum psychosis if you or someone in your family has bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression).
What are the symptoms?
A woman who has postpartum depression may:
- Feel very sad, hopeless, and empty. Some women also may feel anxious
- Lose pleasure in everyday things
- Not feel hungry and may lose weight. (But some women feel more hungry and gain weight)
- Have trouble sleeping
- Not be able to concentrate
- These symptoms can occur in the first day or two after the birth. Or they can follow the symptoms of the baby blues after a couple of weeks
Help is available. Report symptoms to your primary care provider for care or referral to an experienced counselor.
Patient Resources
Need a Pediatrician?
Consider CommonSpirit Health Physician Group Pediatrics NorthCare in Colorado Springs.
Contact Information
We have a number of services available to new and expecting families. Use the following contact information for specific services.
- Labor and Delivery PreAdmission: 719-571-3003
- Mother Baby Unit: 719-571-3400
- NICU: 719-571-3276
- Labor and Delivery Triage: 719-571-3303
- Birth Classes: 719-571-3125
- Fertility Care (Natural Family Planning): 719-571-3472
- Breastfeeding Hotline: 719- 571-3018
- The Lactation Center: 719-571-3100
- Outpatient Lactation Support Appointments: 719-571-3100
- Breast Pump Rentals and Sales: 719-571-3100
- Breastfeeding Supplies: 719-571-3100
- Mother’s Milk Bank (information on donating): 303-869-1888
