5 Top Birthing Hospitals Across The Central & Western UP
These are the 5 most common labor and delivering hospitals that my birth doula clients have used for their childbirth journey in the Western & Central Upper Peninsula.
(These are not rated in any specific order.)
- UP Health System – Bell Located in Ishpeming, UPHS-Bell's spacious birthing suites and recovery room are all in one! They offer a tub with jets, and a separate shower. Bell offers different pain managements including different birthing balls and Nitrous Oxide. Many of the staff are Spinning Babies trained. Bell's hospital is very easy to navigate as everything is on one level and in a straight line. I know many families appreciate the attention and care this smaller hospital provides.
Pro Doula Tip: They have a CUB, a great labor tool AND they have a blow up mattress available for your support person. Both are super comfortable!
- UP Health System – Portage Located in Hancock, UPHS- Portage offers all in one birthing and recovery rooms with a shower that has a built in bench! They provide families with an empowerment tower full of all different things to help families during labor like lighting options, oils, massage rolls, affirmations cards, a speaker, all sorts of things! This hospital has a team of Midwives on staff along with OB's.
Pro Doula Tip: At Portage everything is just a few steps away; the delivery rooms, the ice machine, nursery and OR are all under a 1 minute walk from each other!
- UP Health System – Marquette Located in Marquette, this hospital offers spacious birthing suites, that includes both a shower and tub in one! Some of their recovery rooms are very large. They have a large floor mat that offers birthing families additional space on the floor for laboring positions and they have different birthing balls available. Marquette has an IBCLC provider on staff and many of the nurses are trained in Spinning Babies. Marquette offers advanced medical care for high-risk pregnancies, and has the largest delivering provider access. They also have the U.P's only NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) Level III
Pro Doula Tip: They have an onsite Starbuck Cafe and large cafeteria with good food!
- OSF St. Francis Hospital – Escanaba OSF St. Francis has providers that offer support to families experiencing higher risk pregnancies. Many of the nurses are trained in Spinning Babies and are lactation trained. At OSF St. Francis their rooms are set up so everything is easily accessible!
Pro Doula Tip: They have Certified Nurse Midwifes on staff and they have certain schedules in place to help with provider burn out!
- Marshfield Medical Center – Iron Mountain Marshfield Medical Center, formally known as Dickinson County Hospital has all in one recovery and delivery rooms with a really nice shower. To add additional comfort they are providing families with the option to use diffusors, massage rollers, fairy lights, a projector and different types of birth balls!
Pro Doula Tip: Their birthing center is really easy to access by the back entrance and the parking is close by, making the walk from the car short and easy! They also have a cute "Birth Bar" menu with signature mocktails.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right birthing hospital is such an exciting part of your journey and something I love help my birth doula clients with! The best tip I can give is to trust your instincts, ask questions, and tour the hospitals! Your comfort and confidence are key to creating a birth experience that feels empowering and positive! Adding an experienced Doula to your team also helps!
Are you planning your birth in the Upper Peninsula?
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Where are you considering delivering? Or, if you have a favorite hospital that I didn’t mention, let me know in the comments so other families can learn from your experience. The more we learn the more prepared we can be!
If you aren't sure how to choose the right hospital, check out A Doula's Guide to Choosing Your Labor Hospital in Upper Peninsula!
Lacy Anderson, mama of 3 beautiful children!
Certified Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Educator, Fitness Instructor and Car Seat Safety Technician!
Phone: 906.458.5678
Website: www.upfamilydoula.com
A little about me & Doula care
I'm Lacy, owner of UP Family Doula Care located in Marquette County, MI. I know I have mentioned the term "Doula", but what's a Doula? Well the simply version is, I'm someone who's here to help in any way that I can! I support families during pregnancy, labor and the first year postpartum. Now this support can be done through education, emotional support, helping the families prepare for the baby and upcoming delivery, helping families to advocate for what they need and want, and helping families feel empowered and confident! If you are interested in learning more about how I can support you and your family, schedule a meet and greet today!
