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
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.
