New State-Of-The-Art Birthing Center To Open In Mpls.

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Twin Cities will soon be home to a state of the art birthing center. The new $50 million facility is connected to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, right across from Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

"It's the best of two worlds," says Dr. Elizabeth Elfstrand, director of OBGYN Services.

The new facility will have an area for water birthing, and new moms and moms-to-be, will have access to an array of treatments including alternative medicines like acupuncture and aromatherapy.

"The Mother Baby Center will offer services for the whole gamut of what couples have to face during pregnancy," says Dr. Elfstrand.

For new mothers, like Katie Roettger, it will allow for more bonding time.

Roettger's daughter Evelyn Reese was born eight weeks early at 4 pounds, 13 ounces.

"They showed her to me quickly, then rushed her away," she said.

Evelyn was taken to specialty care in a separate area of the hospital.

Some preemies in need of more critical care are taken even further across the street to Children's Hospital.

The new Mother Baby Center will put mom and baby right by each other.

"That separation, having her so far away is hard, it's hard," Roettger said. "That would mean everything just because she's part of you."

Katy Kozhimannil, assistant professor at University of Minnesota in Health Policy and Management, says this is part of a national trend, with hospitals across the country looking closely at maternity care and how to improve the health and experience for patients.

Kozhimannil says the future of labor and delivery will be much more than a medical procedure but a whole body experience for mother and baby.

The new Mother Baby Center is set to open Feb. 4.