Birth Center

Our new birth center provides the comforts of home alongside the latest technology. We’ve thought of everything to keep you comfortable and safe.

The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Birth Center is located at Froedtert Hospital within Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Our obstetricians and anesthesia providers are available in the hospital 24 hours a day.

Most births go just as planned, but in the event there are complications during your pregnancy or labor you will have access to our Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists and state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The Birth Center’s advanced capabilities eliminate the need for transfers to other facilities — whatever the complication — and provide additional assurance to parents and families.

At the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Birth Center, we provide you with the safest of care through your hospital stay. We know giving birth and becoming a parent are very exciting, important milestones in your life. We are committed to providing you with individualized care as you prepare for one of the greatest joys of life.

Level IV Perinatal Center

Froedtert Hospital provides on-site medical and surgical care of the most complex maternal conditions and critically ill pregnant women and fetuses throughout antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care.

The Birth Center Experience

When you arrive at the Birth Center, our staff will evaluate you to determine the most appropriate plan of care.

Our private birthing suites are designed with the complete comfort and safety of mother and baby in mind. Each room is equipped with advanced technology and equipment, while blending comfortable, home-like surroundings. Your partner is welcome to be at your side during the birth of your baby, and our staff is available to provide all the support and assistance you need.

This Center of Excellence (COE) designation recognizes institutions and programs that demonstrate excellence in obstetric anesthesia care and set a benchmark of expected care to improve standards nationally and internationally.

It is important that you understand your pain management options and remain flexible on choices to manage pain during labor. We offer many options for your comfort throughout labor, from breathing and relaxation techniques and birthing balls, to whirlpool tubs and epidural anesthesia. All pain management options are available 24 hours a day.

If a cesarean birth is needed, our Birth Center offers three state-of-the-art operating rooms located in labor and delivery. Our physicians and anesthesiologists are available 24 hours a day to provide the safest care possible to you and your baby.

After You Deliver: the Mother-Baby Unit

Our postpartum rooms feature services and amenities designed to allow families the time they need to rest, bond and welcome their new addition in comfort. With welcoming furnishings and a soothing design and color scheme, each suite is equipped with the latest technology while offering many home-like comforts.

Your baby will stay with you after birth, unless he or she needs extra monitoring or assistance. Babies who need a little bit of extra help — such as oxygen or IV antibiotics — receive care in our Level II special care nursery, located within our Mother-Baby Unit. Staff members are available 24/7 to help parents learn how to support and care for their infants.

Babies who need advanced medical support receive care at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, located in the same building as our Birth Center.

Tour the Birth Center

To keep patients, visitors and staff safe, the Froedtert & MCW health network adheres to these guidelines. These guidelines are based on the most current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other regulatory agencies. At this time, we are not offering in-person birth center tours, but now have a virtual tour. If you need further assistance or would like to talk to someone, please reach out to our prenatal coordinator at (414) 805-3945.

Froedtert Hospital Birth Center Classes

We do not currently offer any in-person Froedtert Hospital Birth Center classes or tours. Please take a look at our online birth classes, available from any device connected to the internet. Interactive exercises include videos, helpful tools, checklists and trackers. To register, please call 414-805-3666.

Virtual Pathway to Parenthood Prenatal Education Program

This FREE seven-class series presented virtually by the Froedtert Hospital Birth Center covers pregnancy, labor and birth, breastfeeding, infant safety and infant care, and includes hands-on experience in a simulated nursery. Please call 414-805-6644 for more information on scheduling and program eligibility. These classes are only available to patients delivering at the Froedtert Hospital Birth Center.

212 KBPathway to Parenthood Brochure

Virtual Breastfeeding Classes

The Breastfeeding 101 and Returning to Work and Breastfeeding class are offered through the Pathway to Parenthood prenatal program. The breastfeeding classes are free to patients delivering at Froedtert Hospital only. Please call 414-805-6644 to schedule your breastfeeding classes.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Perinatal Group

Mindfulness is an accepting and non-judgmental awareness of thoughts, emotions and present circumstances. MBCT blends cognitive therapy and mindfulness practices. Participants familiarize themselves with modes of thinking that contribute to negative mood states and develop new relationships to thoughts to promote healthier ways of living. Research has shown this approach to be quite effective, including:

    • Reducing depressive symptoms, especially in preventing recurrence of depression
    • Relieving anxious symptoms
    • Lowering stress
    • Promoting sleep
    • Supporting healthy interpersonal relationships

This group is designed for women attempting conception, those who are pregnant and those who are up to 12 months postpartum. Each session lasts eight weeks and includes at-home daily skill practice. This eight-week group is offered several times per year. For additional information or to schedule an intake appointment, please call 414-805-7296.

Wellness Within Motherhood: Support for the Fourth Trimester

This group is designed for women in the third trimester of pregnancy through six months after the birth of baby to support women with their well-being and developing healthy thoughts and emotions as they transition into the role of mother. The group is offered virtually via MyChart. Participants are requested to have a secure connection and private space to attend.

This is a recurring group that begins the first Monday of each month and runs for four weeks from 12-1:15 p.m. The last 15 minutes of each session include open discussion. Attendees are welcome to stay or leave depending on their personal schedule.

Session Topics

    • Understanding what are normal vs. concerning mood symptoms
    • Developing realistic expectations for postpartum adjustment
    • Practicing caring for yourself and developing a support system
    • Increasing awareness of thoughts, feelings and behavior
    • Developing healthy thinking styles
    • Strengthening identity and values as a mother

This group is educational and skill-based. It is not intended to assess or diagnose individual mental health conditions. This is a closed group. If you do not start at the beginning of the month, you are asked to wait to begin attending the following month.

Call 414-805-4781, or stop by the Froedtert Hospital OB/GYN Clinic front desk, to register.