Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (Chicago) [Midwife-Attended Birth]

24/7 C-section: The midwives do not perform c-sections, but if a c-section becomes necessary, the surgical team is available on-site 24/7.

Family-centered cesarean delivery: A modified family-centered cesarean delivery allows family members to be present at a routine cesarean birth. The mother is not allowed to pull her baby up to her chest herself,  but staff ensure immediate skin-to-skin contact and immediate breastfeeding in the operating room whenever possible.  A window drape is available on request.

Moving throughout labor: The midwives are trained to support women who are planning a natural childbirth, including in the use of positioning to help labor along. For low risk women, intermittent auscultation is available on request. You will be able to walk even with an induction (monitoring by telemetry), so long tracing is good.

Eating during labor: At the discretion of the individual provider (doctor or midwife), eating throughout labor is allowed except for women who have an epidural.

All staff are trained in how to use our extensive birth equipment to help mothers find positions for effective labor.

You can choose an epidural at any time in your labor, and the on-site anesthesiology team is available 24/7.

Up to 3 support people can be with you during labor, including a doula.

Postpartum, a liberal visitation policy allows up to four visitors plus a support person in mother-baby unit. Children are allowed if they are siblings.

Labor and delivery rooms are equipped with sleeper sofas for spouses and support partners.

To support bonding and successful breastfeeding, you and your baby will be together as much as possible during your hospital stay.

Additional postpartum options include:

• A hearing screening by certified hearing screening expert
• Newborn portrait by a professional photographer on the unit
• For safe sleeping after you leave the hospital, a baby box and sleeping sack are offered as an alternative to a crib

Baby-Friendly certification: One of only five Chicago hospitals to be certified Baby-Friendly.

Prenatal breastfeeding classes: Prenatal classes teach basic breastfeeding skills, such as positioning and latching, and how to avoid common problems. Partners or support persons are encouraged to attend. Classes are taught by an international board-certified lactation consultant. You can register online here. Discounted parking is available.

Breastfeeding support: Many of the unit’s postpartum nurses have earned certification as lactation counselors and can support your breastfeeding throughout your stay. International board-certified lactation consultants are available by appointment for more challenging breastfeeding issues.

Outpatient breastfeeding center: Breastfeeding support is available after you leave the hospital through the outpatient breastfeeding center, which is open to all women regardless of where they delivered. Appointments with a board-certified lactation consultant are available Mondays through Fridays. Call 773-296-7047 to schedule.

Breast pump rental: Hospital-grade breast pumps are available for rent in Lori’s Gift Shop at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. For more information, call 773-296-5966. A lactation consultant will instruct you on pumping and breast milk storage.

Support group: A free breastfeeding support group meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, providing mothers with an opportunity to meet others, share experiences and receive guidance and support from a lactation consultant. To register, call Nilda Garcia at 773-235-3646 ext. 15 or email her at .

24-Hour Warm Line: For breastfeeding questions or concerns, you can also call the 24-Hour Warm Line at 773-296-7765. If your call isn’t answered immediately, a lactation consultant will get back to you within 24 hours.

Donor Milk Program: Illinois Masonic Medical Center provides pasteurized human donor milk to babies whose mothers have a low milk supply, are ill or on certain medications. Donated human milk can also be used in cases of adoption or surrogacy. The program follows guidelines established by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America, which regulates milk donation and banking.

If you develop complications or risk factors during pregnancy, the midwives work with a team that could also include:

• Perinatologists (experts in maternal and fetal health), neonatologists (experts on newborns) and other pediatric subspecialists.
• Clinical nurse specialists, registered nurses, social workers and home health care coordinators.
• Leading imaging and ultrasound technicians.
• Experts in pre-conceptual counseling, genetic counseling or diabetes counseling, education and co-management.

Many providers speak Spanish and, with advance notice, live interpreters for other languages can be provided.  Phone or iPad interpretation is also available for 240 spoken languages and American Sign Language.