Maternity Services

Nowhere in nature is there a stronger bond than that between a mother and her newborn child. At Shawnee Mission Medical Center, we are privileged to be a part of this unique experience and look forward to guiding you as you make important decisions about your baby's first few days.

Birth Center

The Special Addition Birth Center at Shawnee Mission Medical Center delivers more than 3,500 babies each year, the most in the Kansas City metropolitan area. We are committed to helping you and your new baby get off to the best start possible. From our outstanding nursing and medical staff, to our childbirth education programs, the Special Addition Birth Center takes every step to ensure you are comfortable, both physically and emotionally, during your stay with us.

Our nurses and doctors plan your delivery care with you. Our staff is prepared to provide you with a variety of approaches to childbirth. In addition, anesthesiologists are available 24 hours a day to meet your pain management requests.

For your comfort and convenience, massage therapists are available upon request for a small fee to treat sore and stiff muscles before or after delivery.

Visiting hours in the Special Addition Birth Center are flexible so that support persons can be with you when you desire.

Breastfeeding Support

Because we know newborns sometimes need a little extra help getting used to breastfeeding, the Special Addition Birth Center has Certified Lactation Consultants available to answer questions and help troubleshoot feeding difficulties before you return home. In addition, we offer a Breastfeeding Warm Line to answer questions that arise after you leave the hospital. Call 913-789-1809 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., seven days a week, and leave your name, phone number and question and a consultant will get back with you the same day.

Extra Special Care

We provide one nurse who takes care of you and your baby, in the same room. Your nurse is specially prepared to give you practical infant care tips on diapering, bathing, feeding and relating to your baby. Your nurse will also help you pace your activities with those of your baby so you can establish a comfortable routine at home. It’s all part of the extra special care new moms deserve.

Maternity Care Coordinator

A meeting with our Maternity Care Coordinator six to eight weeks before your due date will help you feel at ease and prepared to bring your new addition into the world. Our Maternity Care Coordinator will:

• Assess your needs and expectations for delivery
• Familiarize you with what to expect during your hospital stay
• Complete hospital consent forms and paperwork prior to admission
• Find information and other resources that might be of assistance to your personal pregnancy situation

Everyone who visits with the Maternity Care Coordinator will receive a copy of our book. This book is a comprehensive guide including what to expect at the hospital and caring for mom and baby after birth. To schedule an appointment with our Maternity Care Coordinator, call 913-676-2671.

Mommy & Me Boutique

The Mommy & Me Boutique provides new mothers with a full range of lactation and parenting services for an easy transition into motherhood. The Mommy & Me retail store is a new mother’s source for:

• breast pumps
• nursing bras and nursing bra tank tops
• breastfeeding support products
• stylish nursing covers
• baby carriers

Class registration, a resource library and referral services are also available. In addition, new mothers can make an appointment for an outpatient lactation consultation with one of our board certified specialists. Conveniently located adjacent to the Special Addition Birth Center, Mommy & Me is a unique resource for all mothers while in the hospital and after returning home. For more information, call 913-676-2384. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Saturday and Sunday.

Learn about Prenatal and Parent Education Classes

Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Babies who require extra medical and nursing attention are cared for in our newly remodeled Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where specially educated neonatal nurses, nurse practitioners and neonatologists can care for infants 28-40 weeks gestation.

Visit the Pregnancy Center in our Health Information Library for more information on the stages of pregnancy, staying healthy and the labor/delivery process.

Information for NICU Families