The experience of having a baby is exciting and life changing. That’s why our staff and setting combine for your comfort, and to ensure that your care fits your personal needs. We will help you feel at ease throughout your entire birthing experience.
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Our home town approach allows you to be able to have your regular provider throughout all of your prenatal appointments and, 95 percent of the time, during your delivery as well.
You can expect to get personalized, one-on-one attention through individual pre- and post-birth care, comfortable private rooms, car seat safety tips and continued support after your family is home.
Our Offerings:
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First Trimester Prenatal Care​
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Second Trimester Prenatal Care
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Third Trimester Prenatal Care
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Childbirth Classes
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Post Natal Care
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Post Delivery Support
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Nutrition Services
Resources:​
Prenatal Care
Osceola Medical Center will provide your family with high quality of care throughout your pregnancy and beyond. Our staff is available for any questions and would encourage you to bring a list of questions to your prenatal appointments.
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First Trimester
Your first prenatal appointment will normally take place between your 10th and 13th week of pregnancy. Besides standard checkup items to help monitor you and your baby, these appointments will allow you to chart the growth of your baby, discuss your pregnancy with your provider, talk about changes and symptoms, and learn about baby development. A complete physical examination will also be done.
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Second Trimester
Prenatal appointments become monthly during your second trimester, between weeks 14 and 27. These appointments are similar in nature to those during your first trimester. In addition, your provider will also check for such things as your baby’s size, position and heartbeat.
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Third Trimester
Your baby will do a lot of developing during the last trimester. As such, your progress and that of your baby will be more closely monitored, starting at 28 weeks. Appointments will become bimonthly to start, then weekly until you deliver. Third trimester is also the time to take one or more of our childbirth classes.
The Birth Day
A moment as intimate and intense as childbirth can best be experienced when securely and warmly wrapped in the support of your family, friends and health care team. Our Birth Center offers all the latest services and popular options, such as soothing music, aromatherapy and deep-jetted soaking tubs. Each suite is designed with your comfort in mind while providing the care and technology needed for your labor, delivery and post-partum care.
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While amenities are important, the most critical element in your care is the personalized attention by excellent staff, where parents can focus entirely on that once-in-a-lifetime chance to hear, see and touch their new son or daughter for the first time.
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For peace of mind, our Birth Center is strategically located near our John Simenstad Surgery Center in the event there are complications.
Post Care
You’ve just delivered a new baby and your focus now turns to caring for that little “bundle of joy”. Now is also the time for new mothers to take special care of their bodies after giving birth. Doing so will help you regain your energy and strength, as well as a quicker recovery. When you take care of yourself, you are better able to care for and enjoy your baby.
Nutrition Tips
Eating right and focusing on good nutrition during pregnancy is a top priority, says OMC Registered Dietitian Andrea Petersen. Good nutrition habits will help ensure a healthy baby and mom. And hopefully, these traits will continue with us even after the baby is born.
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Suggested guidelines for good nutrition during pregnancy
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Eat a variety of foods (grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein).
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Take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid every day.
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Eat foods containing iron (meat, poultry, seafood, iron-fortified cereals, dried beans, spinach, apricots, prunes, raisins).
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Eat foods rich in vitamin C (oranges, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes) at the same time as foods with iron to increase their absorption into your body.
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Get plenty of calcium (milk, yogurt, low-fat cheeses, calcium-fortified orange juice or a calcium supplement).
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Take iron and calcium supplements at different times of day to ensure their absorption.
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Drink lots of water.
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And if you don’t like some foods, “that’s okay. You just need to find alternatives” Petersen says. “There are many vegetables out there, and plenty of other protein sources other than meat, such as dried beans, tofu, peanut butter and eggs. The prenatal vitamin that you take will help make up for some of the nutrients you may miss if you are a ‘picky’ eater,” she says, “but it will not make up for the calories and protein that you may be missing.”
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Foods to avoid
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Seafood with high mercury levels, such as shark, swordfish, tilefish, and King mackerel should be avoided. Choices that are lower in mercury includes salmon, flounder, tilapia, trout, pollock, and catfish, according to the USDA. Click here to learn about making wise food choices while pregnant.
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Don't eat seafood that may contain harmful bacteria, viruses or pollutants, such as raw fish, shellfish (especially oysters and clams), smoked seafood and any fish caught in polluted water.
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Don't eat undercooked meat, such as hamburger (hot dogs and deli meats should only be consumed if cooked until they are steaming hot).
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Avoid unpasteurized milk or cheese.
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Limit yourself to no more than 300mg/day of caffeine (about two cups of coffee).
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Avoid herbal tea since there is not enough research on the effects of herbs to developing babies.
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Don't consume alcohol.
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In addition to good nutrition, you should get enough rest, minimize stress and exercise, Petersen says. “Discuss your nutrition and exercise plans with your healthcare provider,” she adds.
