H E A LT H C A R E D E S I G N S H O W C A S E ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER MU Women's & Children's Hospital, Low-Intervention Birthing Rooms COLUMBIA, MO. Submitted by: MU Health Care Planning Design & Construction COLUMBIA, MO. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of mothers choosing to have out-of-hospital births in the United States has been increasing since 2004-a trend that continues to increase every year. The majority of these births were at home, and the babies were delivered with the help of midwives. Based on feedback from expectant mothers at University of Missouri (MU) Women's and Children's Hospital, it became clear that some women wanted an option that allowed for a more natural, unmedicated birth with minimal medical intervention and technology. Expectant mothers expressed the desire for a relaxed environment that promoted comfort, healing, and peace. Mothers also requested a family area so the birthing process could be a family experience. The two low-intervention suites at MU Women's and Children's Hospital provide the necessary infrastructure for 82 08.16 * Supplement to Healthcare Design