Family-centered care, for every delivery
As one of the busiest labor and delivery and maternity centers in Missouri, we’ve earned the trust of expectant mothers because we provide family-centered care and individual attention in a warm, caring environment. Our highly-trained, expert team includes board-certified obstetricians, available 24 hours a day, to care for all patients, including those with high-risk pregnancies.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri has designated Freeman Maternity Center as a Blue Distinction Center, recognizing its expertise in delivering quality specialty care, safely and effectively. Freeman Maternity Center was recognized by Newsweek Magazine, in partnership with the Leapfrog Group as a Best Maternity Hospital in 2021. Freeman was one of three hospitals in the State of Missouri to receive this recognition, and the only one in Joplin!
Designed with privacy and comfort in mind, Freeman Maternity Center features home-like birthing suites and private postpartum rooms. Our spacious mom and baby rooms permit mothers and babies to room-in together for an enhanced bonding experience. Additionally, a state-of-the-art infant security system for the protection of our youngest patients.
We deliver more than 1,700 babies every year – that’s one baby every five hours! We offer you the opportunity to post your baby’s photos on a well-traveled billboard in Joplin and on social media!
Maternity services we offer
Comfort and support for your birth experience
Prenatal education in Joplin
Each month, Freeman offers free prenatal education classes to Freeman patients to help expectant mothers and families prepare for the arrival of a new baby. These classes can ease the tension and fear surrounding labor and delivery, as well as aid in your overall comfort when the time comes. You will learn rhythmic breathing techniques; tour the birthing, nursery and obstetrics areas; and learn about the choices available to you.
Each month, Freeman offers free breastfeeding classes to Freeman patients. Taught by a certified lactation consultant, Freeman’s breastfeeding class provides information on how to establish your milk supply, how to help a baby latch and how to establish pumping. The class also teaches signs of adequate milk intake, as well as prevention and treatment suggestions for common breastfeeding problems, such as engorgement, sore nipples and clogged ducts.
Maternity services
What to expect during your stay
Freeman Maternity Center physicians, nurse midwives, nurses and support staff are dedicated to providing compassionate care. Through the course of your delivery experience, your caregiver educates, assists and explains your care.
Maternity center visiting hours
Birthing center:
While Laboring – Limit of two visitors (18 or older) at any time while in the Birthing Center prior to delivery of newborn
After Delivery – Up to four visitors, including siblings, may visit in Labor and Delivery (this may vary on stability of infant and mother upon discretion of provider).
Postpartum:
Postpartum visiting hours: 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
Limit of four visitors at a time. Visitors may switch out at any time.
Limit of one overnight support person age 18 or older.
NICU:
Two people at bedside, one must be banded.
All visitors must be over the age of 18.
Ready to Plan Your Delivery?
We encourage you to think about your preferences for labor and delivery, and review them with your physician or midwife prior to delivery. (A plan is not required for delivery – it is just an option.) Keep in mind that having a plan does not guarantee your labor and delivery will go according to that plan. Changes may need to be made.
Helpful maternity center resources
Freeman specially-trained lactation consultants provide a variety of inpatient and outpatient breastfeeding services to help new moms succeed with breastfeeding. All new mothers who have their babies at Freeman and are interested in breastfeeding receive a visit from our consultants to help with latching and positioning, assist with lifestyle changes to support breastfeeding, answer questions, address concerns and provide support and helpful resources. Moms who are experiencing issues with breastfeeding after discharge or those who didn’t have their babies at Freeman can benefit from our free outpatient lactation services, which include assessing breastfeeding issues, lactation counseling and breastfeeding resources.
If you’re experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding, please know you’re not alone – issues are common and we’re here to help! For more information, or to make an appointment, call 417.347.1067.
Hours
8:00 am – 8:30 pm Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
The Golden Hour is a unique, once in a lifetime, bonding experience for mother and baby immediately after birth. This beneficial time should be uninterrupted unless the baby or mother requires medical attention.
Studies show that skin-to-skin contact in the first hour after delivery has many benefits to mother and baby.
Enjoy the closeness and bonding with your baby. Ask your family and friends to give you, your partner and your baby privacy during this time.
Mothers trust us to deliver, and Freeman enjoys the opportunity to announce babies delivered under our care. Pictured here is a sample of our baby announcements.
Discharge Education
Preparing to Bring Baby Home
Before bringing your baby home, watch these videos on safe sleep and preventing abusive head trauma to help you feel prepared to care for your newborn safely.
Maternity care in Arkansas
Families in Arkansas can plan delivery at Bentonville Medical Center or Willow Creek Medical Center. Obstetric, neonatal, nursing and lactation teams provide care during pregnancy, birth and the transition home. Talk with your obstetric provider about the delivery location and services that fit your needs.
The Family Birth Place at Bentonville supports a range of birth plans, including low-intervention options and nitrous oxide for pain relief. Obstetricians, certified nurse midwives and nursing teams work with families on their preferences; doulas may also take part in care. Both Arkansas birth programs offer aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, TENS and nitrous oxide as comfort and pain-relief options.
Labor, delivery and postpartum care
Birthing suites include space for a support person and home-like amenities. After delivery, healthy newborns can stay with their families in postpartum suites. Gentle C-section practices and skin-to-skin care support early bonding when appropriate.
Neonatal care at Bentonville
Bentonville’s Level II NICU provides additional monitoring and care for babies at or above 32 weeks gestation who need further development or treatment before discharge. The team works with Willow Creek Medical Center’s Level III NICU when a higher level of neonatal care is needed.
Breastfeeding and family support
Bentonville is designated Baby-Friendly and recognized as a Silver Safe Sleep Leader. Nurses and lactation consultants support skin-to-skin contact and the first feeding during the Golden Hour. A postpartum bracelet program helps emergency teams identify patients who have given birth within the past year.
Use of a low-intervention suite requires discussion and approval by your healthcare provider. Suites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For low-intervention birth information, call the Family Birth Place at 479.553.1266.
Willow Creek Medical Center in Johnson provides maternity care with a 24-bed Level III NICU. Family-centered care keeps mother and baby together from childbirth through discharge whenever appropriate. Both Arkansas birth programs offer aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, TENS and nitrous oxide as comfort and pain-relief options. Certified nurse midwives can work with obstetricians, nurses and labor support people as part of the care team.
Birth options and support
Two low-intervention birthing suites offer a large bed, labor tub, shower, birthing stool, labor balls and waterproof wireless monitoring. The care team works with patients and families on their labor and birth goals.
Willow Creek is designated Baby-Friendly and recognized as a Silver Safe Sleep Leader. Nurses and lactation consultants assist with early feeding, breastfeeding and pumping, including daily lactation support for NICU families. A postpartum bracelet program helps emergency teams recognize patients who have given birth within the past year.
Level III NICU and neonatal transport
Willow Creek’s neonatal team can care for babies beginning at 23 weeks gestation through term. Its dedicated neonatal transport team brings fragile and premature babies from hospitals without a NICU. The hospital has an ambulance dedicated to neonatal transport, with NICU-trained nursing and respiratory therapy staff.
The team provides individualized support for feeding, growth, breathing and development. NICU care may take place in private rooms or open-bay areas, according to the baby’s needs, with parents encouraged to participate.
Use of a low-intervention suite requires discussion and approval by your healthcare provider. Suites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information or to speak with a Willow Creek OB nurse navigator, call 479.684.3204.
Arkansas birth classes and hospital tours
Choose your delivery location for class and tour information.
Bentonville
Free childbirth classes and hospital tours. Call the hospital and ask for the Family Birth Place for dates and registration.
Willow Creek
Call the education team to schedule a tour or register for maternity classes.
Physician referrals: 800.734.2024 · Find a provider
