Congratulations! You're expecting!
At Crossing Rivers Health, we know that choosing a provider is one of the most important decisions you will make. We understand you have a lot of choices ahead of you. We'll be there to for you every step of the way.
Caring for you and baby
Our dedicated OB team will be there for you throughout your pregnancy and post-pregnancy journey.
Prior to your first appointment, our Clinic Office Manager will contact you for a financial consult. She will gather and share information relating to insurance coverage, billing, etc.
Your first clinic visit will take place over the phone with a Clinic Registered Nurse or a Certified Medical Assistant. Prior to this appointment, we would prefer that you have a positive home pregnancy test.
We also ask that you gather these items in preparation for this appointment:
- Your family medical history and genetics
- The father of the baby's family medical history and genetics
- Your previous medical record (we will continue to update your medical record at each appointment)
This will be an exciting visit where you are able to meet face-to-face with your Clinic team. We will answer any questions you have and will check to hear fetal heart tones.
This is usually a highly anticipated visit! The Medical Imaging team at Crossing Rivers Health utilizes one of the newest 4D ultrasound technologies available. Expecting mothers have the ability to view their newborn images with a more natural look. Our advanced equipment provides luminance, a surface rendering technique that provides a softer, more natural visualization of the human skin resulting in images of photographic quality.
The first ultrasound is typically performed at 20 weeks unless medically necessary and ordered by a provider.
The glucose tolerance test is usually done around 28 weeks gestation. You may eat a light breakfast on the day of the test, avoiding items with high sugar content, such as orange juice, pancakes, and doughnuts.
How the test is performed:
- You will be asked to drink a liquid that contains glucose within five minutes.
- Your blood will be drawn one hour after you drink the glucose solution to check your blood glucose level.
If your blood glucose is too high, you will need to come back for a three-hour glucose tolerance test. For this test:
- Do not eat or drink anything (other than sips of water) for 8 - 14 hours before your test (you also cannot eat during this test).
- You will be asked to drink a liquid that contains glucose within five minutes.
- You will have blood drawn before you drink the liquid, and again every sixty minutes after you drink it. Each time, your blood glucose level will be checked.
You may wish to bring a protein snack (ex: peanut butter sandwich, cheese and crackers) with you to eat after your blood has been drawn.
Some people may have symptoms of hypoglycemia (drop in blood sugar), including:
- Feeling week
- Appearing pale or feeling cold
- Clammy skin
- Perspiring
- Nervousness
The protein snack may help prevent these symptoms.
Important things to know
We are happy to say that spouses are welcome to attend all obstetric and midwifery care visits. However, only the spouse is able to attend visits at this time.
We are always available and here to help. A Registered Nurse is available Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at 608.357.2500. After that time, we always have an on-call provider available by calling 608.357.2000, allowing you 24/7 access.
For urgent or emergent concerns, Crossing Rivers Health Urgent Care is available 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., and the Emergency Department is available 24/7. Please call ahead if possible at 608.357.2222.
MyChart is such a helpful tool when communicating with your care team. It's your electronic health record, at your fingertips. Through MyChart, you can schedule appointments, communicate with your care team, make payments, and access information about medications, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data, and more.
The Birthing Center at Crossing Rivers Health
Take a virtual tour of the Birthing Center.
Obstetrics care close to home
We have a commitment to providing compassionate care to women and families, through every stage of life. Our team approach allows you to develop a custom birth plan, to ensure your care meets your personal desires and needs.
Providers from Crossing Rivers Health deliver at our Birthing Center. Let your provider know that you want to deliver close to home - at Crossing Rivers Health.
Talk to your obstetrical care provider about having your ultrasonic exam performed at Crossing Rivers Health. Our state-of-the-art ultrasound system provides you with detailed 4D images of your baby. Our 4D imaging is one of the newest technologies available that gives your baby's images a more natural look. Luminance is a surface rendering technique that provides a softer, more natural visualization of the human skin resulting in images of photographic quality. At the end of your session, you will receive a CD with video clips and still images of your baby.
Here is what you can expect when you deliver your little one at Crossing Rivers Health Medical Center:
- Private spacious labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum suites. Each postpartum suite features a large flat-screen TV, a mini-refrigerator, large windows with beautiful views and natural light, and a couch that converts to a bed.
- Large whirlpool tub to use during the early stages of labor.
- A fetal monitoring system, portable to facilitate mom's freedom of movement, that communicates critical data to your labor and delivery team.
- Birthing balls, squat bars, and rocking chairs.
- An infant security system for protection and continuous monitoring, ensuring your peace of mind.
- Our advanced nurse call system ensures nursing care is always close at hand.
- Once labor begins, mothers stay in the same room for the birth of their baby and through the first hours of the recovery period. Moms who deliver by cesarean section will be cared for in our state-of-the-art surgical suite.
- Infant warmers to assist with baby, if necessary, with breathing and temperature control.
- The nursery is in close proximity to the mother's suite.
- Wireless internet.
- Complimentary gifts.
- A complimentary meal for significant other.
At Crossing Rivers Health, we offer many different types of pain management options, including:
- Nitrous oxide
- Epidural for labor analgesia
- Hydrotherapy
- Essential oils
- Pain medications
- Water Birth
- Whirlpool tub
- Birthing ball
We support the bond between mother and baby and offer the following options for you and your little one.
Skin-to-skin contact
Your baby is placed directly on your chest for skin-to-skin contact right after birth to promote the bond between mother and infant.
Transition care
Your baby is assessed and bathed in your presence.
Rooming-in
Care for you and your baby is provided in your post-delivery room.
Newborn feeding
We provide support whether you are breastfeeding, breast-pumping or bottle-feeding. For those wanting to breastfeed, our breastfeeding support team consists of lactation counselors and OB staff members that provide encouragement and empowerment during your breastfeeding journey. Learn more about breastfeeding and lactation support by clicking here.
Parental coaching
We teach you about your newborn's behavior and how to respond to their cues.
NeoNet Emergency Telemedicine
Newborn Emergency Telemedicine (NeoNET) technology offers the expertise of a neonatal specialist for newborns experiencing arrhythmia, trouble breathing and other conditions at birth. NeoNet is a team approach to comprehensive care and treatment for newborns in crisis. NeoNET puts specialty care right here, at our fingertips. Learn more about this advanced technology.
Gifts can be purchased at Jerry's Gift Shoppe located near the Main Entrance of the Medical Center.
Financial counseling
A financial counselor is available. If you would like to speak to one, please let us know.
If you are looking for a primary care provider, Crossing Rivers Health Clinics in Prairie du Chien and Fennimore provide individualized care to meet your family's needs. We pride ourselves on providing a continuum of care locally so that patients do not have to travel out of town for quality healthcare.
Our education department offers a variety of Basic Life Saving Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation classes throughout the year. We highly recommend these classes for any member of the public. You never know when you may have to save a life.
Parenting educational resources
We want to be your local educational resource. Please visit our website to find resources or contact us if you need any assistance. Explore our parenting resources.
Helpful resources
Why prenatal vitamins? A healthy diet is the best way to get the vitamins and minerals you need — but even if you eat a healthy diet, you might fall short on key nutrients. If you’re pregnant or hoping to become pregnant, a prenatal vitamin can help fill any gaps.
Click the link below to find a collective list of must-haves (and some nice-to-haves) to pack before arriving at the Medical Center to have your baby.
Read this advice from the Centers for Disease Control before you travel.
Get recommendations on safe eating guidelines for fish consumption at the link below.
Crawford County Health Department
Learn about resources for Crawford County residents including car seat safety checks.