The public is invited to see the new birthing center at Pella Regional Health Center.

Work has been ongoing on adding the third floor to the building for a year. Manager of Obstetrics at Pella Regional Health Center Karen Westercamp says she’s excited for the first mother to come through the doors.

“We’re excited to show everyone the wonderful new area that moms will be staying in for their birth experience,” said Karen Westercamp, Manager of Obstetrics at Pella Regional Health Center. “We had a vision of creating a serene, warm, home-like area for our new and expanding families to come and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

The new area includes more rooms for labor/delivery and postpartum, additional space in the nursery, expanded nursing stations and waiting areas. Westercamp says the new floor was built in response to growth in the number of babies born at the hospital, with a record 536 last year.

Pella Regional’s Family Birthing Center Community Open House will take place on Sunday, August 27, from 1 to 4 pm. There will be tours, refreshments and door prizes for expecting moms. A ribbon cutting and blessing of the facility starts at 12:30 p.m.