MercyOne Waterloo Integrated Neonatal Intensive Care (INIC)

Having a baby is one of the most important moments of a parent's life, and while it is always the hope that the pregnancy, labor and birth go as planned, there are instances where babies need advanced care. MercyOne's unique and top-rated Integrated Neonatal Intensive Care (INIC) model allows babies to be cared for by our team of neonatologists, nurses and specialists while staying in the same room as their moms.

Each of MercyOne's 19 labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum birthing suites are equipped with the technology and support necessary should your baby need intensive care. This family-centered approach allows for families to stay together rather than separating mom and baby in a more traditional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) setting.

There are many benefits to this family-centered approach, including more skin-to-skin time for mom and baby and increased breastfeeding success rates. The first few minutes, hours and days are essential for bonding with a new baby, and the INIC model allows for that even when a baby needs advanced care.