Family Birth Center - Dignity Health - Mercy Medical Center

Our Family Birth Center provides comprehensive obstetrics care for both vaginal and cesarean births. This includes:

• Breastfeeding assistance

• On-site anesthesia

• Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

• Pediatric support

• Vaccinations

• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) representatives

We provide most of the necessary items for your baby during your hospital stay, including diapers and blankets. We ask that you do not bring car seats or blankets into the Family Birth Center. You may bring one pillow and a small, carry-on-size suitcase of personal items that will help make your stay more comfortable, including:

• Comfortable clothes to wear home such as maternity clothes

• Driver's license or ID card, insurance card, pediatrician and obstetrician contact information

• Flip flops

• Lip balm

• Nightgowns

• Nursing bras and nursing pads

• Personal electronics and chargers

• Personal toiletries

• Snacks

• Swimsuit and a change of clothes for your partner

Yes, we welcome your chosen support people to be present during labor, delivery and recovery. We encourage discussing your visitor preferences with your care team to help support a comfortable and safe environment for everyone.

Two support people are allowed to accompany you 24/7 while you are in labor. After you give birth, we allow one support person to stay overnight and two additional visitors during visiting hours.

Review our visitor guidelines

If your baby is born prematurely or with a serious illness, our Family Birth Center has an intermediate Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) operated by Valley Children's Healthcare. This eight-bed NICU is staffed with specially trained doctors and nurses who use advanced monitoring and medical equipment to care for your newborn.

Our goal is to provide specialized care for premature babies and embrace parents as a vital part of the health care team. You are welcome to visit your baby at any time in the NICU and we encourage you to call any time of the day or night to ask about your baby.

If your baby requires a higher level of care, they may be transferred to Valley Children's Hospital in Madera.

Yes, we provide breastfeeding support while you are at the hospital and resources for when you go home.

Our nursing staff is well-trained to help you get started with breastfeeding if you choose this option. International board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) are also available to provide expert guidance during your hospital stay.

We also offer a breastfeeding support group and provide informational guides on breastfeeding, including:

• Prenatal Breastfeeding Guide: For brief guidance on breastfeeding and baby behavior, read our guide. 

• Your Guide to Breastfeeding: For a comprehensive guide on breastfeeding, tips on how to make it work for you, frequently asked questions and benefits for your baby, read our guide in English or Spanish.

Learn about our support group

The Family Birth Center’s spacious, private rooms support your needs through every stage of birth, from labor and delivery to recovery and postpartum. Rooms feature soothing decor and the latest technology, including a heating and monitoring system. This system allows your newborn to remain comfortably at your bedside while recording your baby’s vitals, including breathing, body temperature and weight.

The family-friendly amenities in each room include:

• Comfortable glider rocker

• Private bathroom and shower

• Sofa for lounging or sleeping visitors

Yes, we offer in-person and virtual tours of our Family Birth Center, referred to as a Stork Tour. There is no cost required to attend; however, registration is required for an in-person Stork Tour. To register, please call (209) 564-5285.

In-person tours begin with a presentation on car seat safety and information about the community resources available to expecting families in Merced County. The second part includes a walk-through of our Family Birth Center, where you will be shown each room you will be in during the different stages of your stay, as well as where you need to go to register for your delivery. 

Take our virtual tour

Skin-to-skin contact may be encouraged after birth when appropriate for the parent and baby. At Mercy Medical Center Merced, we keep mothers and babies together during the hospital stay to encourage bonding opportunities. Skin-to-skin bonding may:

• Help comfort and soothe your baby

• Support bonding

• Support temperature regulation and stable vital signs

• Support breastfeeding and milk production

• Provide quiet time for your new family to connect

You can choose a pediatrician by asking your obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) provider or asking family and friends. You can also use our Find a Doctor tool.