Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
MercyOne Dubuque Birth Center is the only Level II Regional Perinatal Center serving the tri-state area for about a 70-mile radius. Our Level II Regional Center is ready if your baby requires critical care - including premature infants, infants requiring ventilator assistance and infants with special needs.
Our NICU has the most advanced technology and is backed by dedicated colleagues with in-depth neonatal education, including the region's first and only board-certified neonatologist.
What is a Level II Perinatal Center
Level II Perinatal Center as defined by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
- Care of low- to moderate-risk pregnancies with ability to detect, stabilize and initiate management of unanticipated maternal-fetal or neonatal problems that occur during the antepartum, intrapartum or postpartum period until the patient can be transferred to a facility at which the specialty maternal care is available.
- Care of appropriate moderate- to high-risk antepartum, intrapartum, or postpartum conditions.
- An MFM available always for consultation at birth center, on phone call or via telehealth as needed.
- Anesthesiologist readily available.
- Internal or family medicine providers and general surgeons available for obstetric patients.
In addition to providing services to babies born at MercyOne, we also transfer newborns from Level I and Level II hospitals in the area to our unit for care. We also have established relationships with the Level III centers in Iowa City and Madison who act as our resource when needed. Babies born in a Level III are sometimes moved to our unit to be closer to family while they continue their progress toward discharge and going home.
