Maternity Care
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 North Kansas City Hospital 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 NKCH 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.
Prenatal Care for You & Your Baby
Appropriate prenatal care throughout pregnancy will help you safely deliver a healthy baby. Schedule routine visits with your NKCH 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
Tips 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
Community Nutrition Line
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.
Count the Kicks App
NKCH & MH 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
Labor, Delivery and Postpartum Services
When it’s time to give birth, you’ll have everything you need at NKCH. 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 NKCH
Best Hospital for Maternity
U.S. News & World Report ranks North Kansas City Hospital among its Best Hospitals for Maternity, with a “High Performing in Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy)” rating. The annual survey evaluated 680 hospitals that provide high-quality labor and delivery services for uncomplicated pregnancies. NKCH is one of the only hospitals in Kansas City to receive U.S. News’ highest maternity care honor for 2023 and 2024.
North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health was named on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2024. This honor is awarded to 404 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.
Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care
The Joint Commission recognizes North Kansas City Hospital 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. NKCH is one of only 22 hospitals in the nation to earn this distinction.
Take a Virtual Tour
Q&A for Baby Day
Led by experienced RN childbirth educators, this 90-minute session will include a review of NKCH'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 Now
Maternity Nurse Navigator
Stephanie Jones, MSN, RN, RNC-OB - Maternity Nurse Navigator
During your pregnancy, lean on our nurse navigator to help you make informed decisions that fit your needs.
Stephanie Jones has worked at NKCH since 2010, and her entire nursing career has been in maternity care. She has a master’s degree in nursing leadership.
Stephanie developed the ‘maternity preadmission nurse’ role in 2018, which has evolved into the maternity nurse navigator. She loves being part of the family’s pregnancy journey by explaining what their delivery and stay will look like, answering questions, discussing birth preferences, and calming fears for the families.
In her spare time, she loves to read, travel and spend time with her husband of 20 years.