Mercy Birthplace - Cape Girardeau

If you're pregnant or thinking about starting a family, it's important to choose a birthplace you know and trust. At Mercy Birthplace - Cape Girardeau, our highly skilled, compassionate and experienced staff is ready to help you before, during and after the birth of your new baby.

Our care team will work with your primary care doctor or OB/GYN to ensure you receive the most effective care. We'll also do everything in our power to honor your birth plan while creating a safe environment for your baby's delivery.

We have a well-baby nursery on site and two operating rooms for c-section patients. We're also excited to offer vaginal birth after cesarian (VBAC) for second-time mothers interested in this type of delivery. 

Labor and Delivery Rooms

We have 18 private labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum (LDRP) rooms. These rooms are designed for all stages of your baby's birth and first days of life, so most women who deliver with us are able to stay in one room throughout their entire visit. You're welcome to bring personal items, such as blankets or pillows, to make it feel more like home.

We offer daytime visiting hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and we allow two people in the delivery room at a time. 

Labor and Delivery Room Amenities

Lactation Program

We know how important breastfeeding is for mothers and their new babies. At Mercy Birthplace - Cape Girardeau, we have a whole lactation team that makes rounds at the hospital six days a week. We make a point to check in and see every patient multiple times, whether they're breastfeeding or bottle feeding.

We also have a dedicated lactation line and voicemail. So if you ever have a question or concern, you can give us a call. And if you need extra support, our International Board Certified Lactation Consultant offers follow-up appointments for new mothers after leaving the hospital. 

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

We always hope your birth experience goes smoothly. But in the event that extra care is necessary, we have eight private pods in our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) right down the hall from labor and delivery. This allows us to spring into action at a moment's notice to give you and your baby the specialized attention you need. 

Birthplace Tours

It's always a good idea to check out our birth center ahead of time, just so you know what to expect when your due date arrives. If you'd like to schedule an in-person tour of our department and even see one of our birthing suites for yourself, you can call 573-331-6190. We'll answer any questions or concerns you may have so you feel more prepared. 

Building Blocks Program

Building Blocks of Missouri Southeast Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP) is a free, evidence-based community health program for vulnerable pregnant mothers. Each birthing mother is partnered with a registered nurse early in her pregnancy to help ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby. Nurses will visit with mothers in their own home until her baby's second birthday.

Building Blocks nurses will help mothers:

• Learn and practice useful parenting skills, such as breastfeeding and safe sleep techniques
• Receive extra guidance on proper nutrition and child development
• Access community services, such as health care, child care or job training
• Set realistic goals for themselves, their baby and their families

Building Blocks is designed for pregnant mothers who qualify for Medicaid or WIC. To enroll in this program, you must be a resident of Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Perry, Ripley, Scott, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, Pemiscot or Wayne County. There's no cost if you qualify, and no referral is needed.

Learn more about the Building Blocks program here.