Find a provider who delivers at our Birthing Center.
Birthing Center
Mama, you’ve got this. We know there are countless decisions to make as you prepare to welcome your child into the world. And we’re here to help you navigate everything during your pregnancy, labor and delivery.
We offer OBGYN care throughout your pregnancy, and our Birthing Center offers comfort and privacy to welcome your little one into the world. Our rooms have large windows facing Flathead Lake, bringing the beauty of nature inside.
We are here to help you prepare for your new arrival with childbirth classes, early lactation education and labor & delivery unit tours. We support rooming-in with newborns and parents, while offering our assistance as needed. We share a close relationship with the Family Maternity Center at Providence St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula if your little one requires a level II NICU.
We use state-of-the-art technology to make sure you and your baby are as healthy as possible. From diagnostic imaging to help identify potential problems during your pregnancy to 24/7 centralized monitoring systems, we have all of your needs covered.
Our services include:
- Prenatal Care: We offer the expertise of the only two board certified OB/GYNS in the Mission Valley. Dr. Kelly Bagnell has been practicing at St. Joseph Medical Center for over 20 years, and Dr. Jamie Straub has been practicing here for over 10 years.
- Breastfeeding Support: Our labor & delivery nurses offer breastfeeding support to help you meet your breastfeeding goals. We have six Certified Lactation Consultants in our unit. Lactation support is also provided in our outpatient setting for your breastfeeding needs after discharge. Breastfeeding may not be for everyone. We provide nonjudgemental support and education for formula feeding as well. If you choose, we also offer donor breast milk through the Mother’s Milk Bank of Missoula. This service is free of charge for our inpatient families, and we offer information about your options once you go home.
- Pain Management: Our staff at St. Joseph Medical Center have received specialty training to assist you in your birthing plan. We offer natural labor support with a jacuzzi tub, birthing balls and aromatherapy. If your plan changes or you would prefer medical interventions for childbirth pain, we offer nitrous oxide, epidurals and IV pain medications that are aligned with safe birthing practice.
- Postpartum: We provide postpartum care in our facility with our OB/GYNs. They are located on the first floor of the hospital, making it convenient to receive follow-up care. Outpatient lactation services are available as well and can be scheduled with your follow-up visits.
We offer an intimate environment for your birthing experience. Our large labor rooms are both private and secure, and allow for you to stay in one place for your labor, delivery and recovery period. After your recovery, we offer spacious postpartum rooms with accommodations for you and a significant other, including a private bathroom.
During your stay we offer boutique care with:
- Aromatherapy
- Birthing balls
- Alternative birthing positioning
- Jacuzzi tub
- Delicious meals for you and your support person
- Overhead lullaby announcing the arrival of your special delivery
We offer a small and secluded labor and delivery unit for the safety of you and your baby. All of our labor and delivery nurses wear a pink ID badge that allows you to quickly identify safe staff.
St. Joseph Medical Center is a Gold Safe Sleep Champion. This is the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program’s highest designation and recognizes our commitment to keeping babies safe in their sleep environments, helping prevent deaths from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants between 1 month and 1 year of age. Learn more about our commitment to eliminating sleep-related deaths.
Our OBGYNs provide prenatal care throughout your pregnancy. Following the birth of your child, St. Joseph Medical Center offers comprehensive gynecological care and women’s health services, including:
- Annual Well Woman Exam
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- Breast Care
- Bladder Care
- Contraception options
- Family Planning
- Infertility work-up and treatment
- Menopausal Health
- Ovarian Cysts
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic Pain
- Infections
- Fibroids
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Endometrial Ablation
- Colposcopy and LEEP to help prevent cervical cancer
- Minimally Invasive Gyn Surgery
- Hysterectomy
Learn more about our OB/GYN care.
Through a partnership with St. Patrick Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center now offers its patients free access to a variety of virtual education classes.
Classes offered include:
- Early Pregnancy Preparations
- Prenatal Education Bootcamp
- Coping and Comfort
- Breastfeeding 101
- Newborn Care
All classes are live, so patients have the opportunity to learn from and interact with certified and experienced childbirth educators.
Since each class type is offered multiple times a month, patients now have more flexibility in choosing a time that fits their schedule and can connect from the comfort of their own home.
These complementary childbirth classes are available to patients who plan to deliver at St. Joseph Medical Center or St. Patrick Hospital. To register, please use the promo code from your OB provider's office.
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Free pregnancy and parenting app
Circle® is a free pregnancy and parenting app that provides useful health resources, top-notch pregnancy calculator and tools to help track ovulation, weight, blood pressure, and vaccinations. Enjoy easy access to program information, services and classes, too! Plus, when you connect to MyChart through Circle, you'll receive appointment reminders for you and your children. Learn more about the Circle app.