$4M Grinnell Regional Medical Center Obstetrics Renovation & Expansion

Obstetrics Expansion and Renovation Update: July 2026

Phase II of the GRMC obstetrics unit construction project is complete! The renovated baby nursery, medication room, nurses' station and break room are updated and in use by our patients and care teams. We also have the new postpartum room ready for patient use.

"It's been really great for the team and our patients to get back into our regular, but updated spaces," shares Cherish Hansen, BSN, RNC-MNN, C-EFM, OB nurse manager. "The workflow feels more fluid, the supplies we need are right at our fingertips, and our team feels more accessible for patients and families, which is what we wanted."

Phase III construction is already starting and will be room-by-room renovation and expansion of the current patient rooms. All the existing labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum (LDRP) rooms will be made larger. All postpartum rooms will also be renovated to be larger and include their own private shower unit. At the end of this phase, there will be four LDRP rooms and three postpartum rooms to better accommodate the increasing number of births at GRMC.

The entire construction project is being done in a planful manner to keep the 24/7 maternity unit fully functional and as courteous to patient care as possible.

Obstetrics Expansion and Renovation Project Update: June 2026

Phase II of the GRMC obstetrics unit construction project is entering its final stages, and we're excited to share a glimpse of the space with our patients, communities and donors! While final materials are arriving and getting installed with finishing touches, we're happy to share that the renovated baby nursery, medication room, nurses' station and break room are nearly complete.

"We're really excited to see the space coming together," shares Cherish Hansen, BSN, RNC-MNN, C-EFM, OB nurse manager. "The new layout will optimize our workflow, drastically increase storage and access to supplies, improve workflow for ancillary staff, and ultimately improve patient care. It will also open our nurses' station layout, making it easier for parents and their support persons to come to us with any questions during their inpatient stay and their pre-birth intake visit."

Phase II construction is anticipated to be done in July 2026. Upon completion, the temporarily relocated areas will move back into the newly renovated nursery, medication room, nurses' station and break room, making the new postpartum and recovery room that was constructed during Phase I available for patient use.

The entire project is being done with planful intention to keep the 24/7 maternity unit fully functional for patient care.

Obstetrics Expansion and Renovation Update: January 2026

We are gearing up for Phase II of the expansion of GRMC's obstetrics unit. This phase consists of renovating the nursery, medication room, nurses' station and break room. While this work is being done, we will temporarily relocate the current nursery, medication room, nurses' station and break room to maintain comprehensive patient care for our 24/7 unit.

The renovated nursery will increase in space to accommodate five bassinettes. Storage space in the nursery will also greatly increase to allow for more convenient and timely access to newborn supplies. The updated nursery will include a sink for newborn baths and a dedicated space for newborn procedures. A new layout to the nursery will create easier access for ancillary staff (such as x-ray technicians) to improve care delivery for our smallest patients. Windows from the hallway will remain for families to view their little ones during nursery time.

Obstetrics Expansion and Renovation Update: November 2025

Phase I of the expansion of GRMC's obstetrics unit is nearly complete. This phase included the addition of a new postpartum and recovery room, a new entrance to the unit, and a new storage room for clean supplies.

The addition of the postpartum room is vital to keeping the unit operational through the entirety of the construction project. As of October 2025, our obstetrics team has delivered 279 babies - 12% more babies than were delivered in the entire year of 2024.

Obstetrics Expansion and Renovation Project Update

UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is excited to provide you an inside look at the expansion and renovation of our obstetrics unit.

This project has been in the planning and fundraising stages since 2023, and we are excited to share that the first phase of construction is underway. Because the obstetrics unit must remain open and functional throughout demolition and construction, this will be a multi-phase project lasting 18 to 24 months.

Phase I consists of building a new entrance to the unit, creating an additional postpartum/recovery room in the east wing (around the corner from the existing unit), and relocating the clean supply storage room. It is anticipated that Phase I will wrap up in September 2025.

At completion, the project will result in the renovation of all obstetrics patient rooms and addition of a new labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum (LDRP) room to accommodate the continued growth in deliveries at GRMC.

To stay up to date on our progress, you are encouraged to bookmark this website and revisit it to see new photos and updates as they occur. Follow GRMC's Facebook account for regular updates, too.

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  $4M Grinnell Regional Medical Center Obstetrics Renovation & Expansion