Maternity Care
In-person tour
Our labor and delivery and postpartum units are secured areas. For the safety of our newborns, unit tours are done by appointment only with a Maternity Nurse Navigator, or by signing up for a 30-minute walking tour of the obstetric units.
Pregnancy is an exciting and rewarding experience. You’ll likely have many questions as you and your family prepare for the baby’s arrival. Know that you can turn to our maternity experts at NKC Health whenever you need help. We’re here, so you feel prepared and confident before, during and after pregnancy.
Before pregnancy
Plan for your pregnancy with help from NKC Health maternity experts. We provide preconception health guidance to increase your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy.
Are you thinking about starting a family or having more children? If so, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your doctor. During the appointment, you and your doctor will discuss your pregnancy goals and how to prepare your body for pregnancy.
It can take some time to get your body ready for pregnancy. Several factors may affect your body’s ability to get pregnant, such as:
- Chronic conditions
- Diet and exercise
- Health history
- Home and work environments
- Lifestyle factors such as smoking and drinking alcohol
- Medications
- Ovulation cycle
- Weight
Developing healthy habits and managing chronic conditions before pregnancy will help you before, during and after pregnancy.
It’s not uncommon to have difficulty getting pregnant. If you experience issues, ask your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) how fertility treatment can help improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Use a home pregnancy test if you experience any of the following early signs of pregnancy:
- Bleeding or spotting
- Bloating
- Darker, bumpy areolas
- Fatigue
- Frequent need to use the bathroom
- Higher than normal body temperature
- Missed period
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to smell
- Tender, swollen breasts
If your pregnancy test comes back positive, schedule an appointment with an OB-GYN, so you can begin prenatal care.
Take a virtual tour
Learn what to expect during labor and your stay on our Mother Baby floor.
Get a 360-degree view of our private Labor and Delivery rooms, Mother Baby rooms, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and more.
Q&A for Baby Day
Led by experienced RN childbirth educators, this 90-minute session will include a review of NKC Health's educational resources for expectant families, a chance for families to ask questions, and a walking tour of the maternity units. Each pregnant person can bring up to three guests.
Register NowTips for a healthy pregnancy
To help prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy, try to do the following:
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Talk to your doctor about eliminating or limiting your intake of some foods, such as lunch meats, packaged foods and fish
- Eliminate caffeine or limit it to 300 milligrams per day
- Stop using any alcohol, drug and tobacco
- Take prenatal vitamins like 400 micrograms of folic acid to help your baby develop
Labor, delivery and postpartum services
When it’s time to give birth, you’ll have everything you need at NKC Health. We offer:
- Online and in-person classes and a mobile app to help you plan and prepare for labor
- Private mother and baby suites
- Newborn care, including a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
- Professional newborn photography
- Postpartum support, including for breastfeeding and postpartum depression (PPD)
- The option to have the pediatrician on call visit your baby during your stay if the pediatrician you choose doesn’t have privileges at NKC Health
Count the Kicks app
NKC Health is proud to partner with this evidence-based stillbirth prevention program that equips expectant moms with tools to help them stay in tune with baby's movements and personal well-being. Always speak up and talk with your provider about your concerns! A baby's movements are an important sign of their well-being in the 3rd trimester. Get to know what's normal for your baby using the Count the Kicks pregnancy app: CounttheKicks.org
Prenatal care for you and your baby
Appropriate prenatal care throughout pregnancy will help you safely deliver a healthy baby. Schedule routine visits with your NKC Health obstetrician to:
- Create a birth plan that fits your needs and preferences
- Track your baby’s growth and development
- Address questions or concerns about your pregnancy
- Download the Count the Kicks app
- Get recommendations for lifestyle habits to support a healthy pregnancy
- Learn what to expect during pregnancy
- Discuss labor and delivery
Stephanie Jones, MSN, RN, RNC-OB
Pregnancy is complicated, but we are here to help. Our maternity nurse navigator provides personalized guidance and support throughout pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
Stephanie has spent her entire nursing career in maternity care. She has a master’s degree in nursing leadership and loves being part of your family’s pregnancy journey.
Turn to Stephanie for:
- Answers to questions and what to expect at each stage
- Help scheduling appointments and coordinating care
- Guidance on common symptoms and when to call your provider
- Classes, support groups and community resources
- Assistance creating a birth plan and preparing for your hospital stay
- Emotional support and reassurance throughout your journey
Reach out to Stephanie at (816) 691-5180 or read her biography.
Our maternity educators are an excellent complement to our nurse navigator services. They can help:
- Provide education on pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care
- Explain what to expect before, during and after delivery
- Answer questions and help you and your family feel prepared and confident
- Offer guidance on safe sleep, feeding and basic newborn care
- Connect patients with additional resources or support groups
Our maternity educators are happy to answer your questions, email maternityeducator@nkchealth.org.
What you eat while pregnant directly affects your growing baby. Call our Community Nutrition Line at (816) 691-5202 if you have nutrition questions throughout your pregnancy.
Car and booster seat safety
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has excellent resources available to help you choose the best car seat and booster seat, know when to use each and help get them installed correctly. Learn how to keep your child safe in the car.
Advanced certification in perinatal care
The Joint Commission recognizes NKC Health with their Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care. The health system received the honor by demonstrating continuous compliance with Joint Commission performance standards to provide safe and quality care to pregnant patients. ACPC uses standards, guidelines and The Joint Commission’s perinatal care measure set for managing and monitoring aspects of perinatal care to improve and maintain the health of newborns and their mothers. NKC Health is one of only 22 hospitals in the nation to earn this distinction.
Best Hospital for Maternity
U.S. News & World Report ranks NKC Health among its Best Hospitals for Maternity, with a “High Performing in Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy)” rating. The Best Hospitals for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) scorecard rated NKC Health excellent at minimizing avoidable C-sections. The health system also earned Birthing-Friendly recognition because of its commitment to improving maternal outcomes.
NKC Health was named on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2025. This honor is awarded to 444 hospitals in the United States that provide high-quality maternity care from pregnancy and birth to postpartum care. Statista, a data and business intelligence portal, compiles the list based on a nationwide online survey of hospital managers and medical professionals and public data from hospital surveys.