Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (Chicago) [Midwife-Attended Birth]
Chicago, IL 60657
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.
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 [email protected].
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.
While the midwives care primarily for low-risk women, if your baby should require special care, board-certified neonatologists are on site 24/7 in the level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which offers the highest level of treatment available in Illinois for critically ill and premature babies.
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.
Highest-Level NICU: NICU has a level III designation, the highest available in Illinois, and can handle a wide range of complex issues. Board-certified neonatologists are available on-site 24/7 in the NICU.
Child life specialist support: Babies in the NICU and their families are supported by child life specialists, who provide guidance and encouragement to parents as well as comfort to infants through encouraging statements, toys, soft music and singing.
Accepts Medicaid: Yes
See Insurance comments for details
Our Spanish-speaking doctors provide personalized care rooted in respect and cultural understanding. From diagnosis to recovery, we’re with you every step of the way through your health care journey to make sure your experience is the best possible.
Latina Women’s Health services include:
- State-of-the-art breast care including breast ultrasounds and same-day mammograms
- Newly modernized rooms for mom and baby plus a well-baby nursery
- Lactation consultants, virtual breastfeeding class available on demand and an expansive array of other postpartum services
Phone or iPad interpretation is also available for 240 spoken languages and American Sign Language.
Outcomes
Overall C-Section Rate (Risk Adjusted) – 22.7%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
Primary C-Section Rate (Risk Adjusted) – 14.3%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
VBAC Rate (Risk adjusted ) – 29.8%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate – 70.7%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
- Number of VBAC deliveries per year - 54
- Epidural Rate -
- Overall Induction Rate -
- Early Elective Deliveries - 0
- Episiotomy Rate -
Outcomes reported above are for all births at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, including births attended by both doctors and midwives. The midwives care for women experiencing lower risk pregnancies, and also tend to have lower rates of interventions.
No inductions before 39 weeks without the recommendation of a maternal-fetal specialist.
Mothers are encouraged to wait until 40 weeks for a non-medical induction, but induction at 39 weeks is available on request.
Midwifery care
Our certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are advanced practice nurses with either a DNP or MSN in nurse midwifery. We have nine midwives who provide prenatal care and deliver babies for low-risk pregnant patients. If your pregnancy becomes complicated, we work with our physicians to share management or transfer care as appropriate.
Midwives value patient-centered care and helping you achieve the type of birth you desire. Giving you the tools and education to make your own choices regarding your pregnancy and birth is the highlight of the midwifery care we provide.”
World-class Chicago birth center
At our birthing center, our labor and delivery team provides personalized childbirth care in our state-of-the-art birthing suites. Whether your birth is considered routine or high-risk, we have the expertise and technology necessary to keep you and your baby safe and healthy.
Trust your pregnancy to us:
- Award-winning care: We’re designated as Baby-Friendly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). We’re also nationally recognized as a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence.
- Modernized maternity rooms and well-baby nursery: We provide 24-hour customized care throughout your labor and recovery to deliver everything moms and new babies need.
- Breastfeeding resources: We offer lactation consultants, virtual breastfeeding classes at the push of a button and more to help you with breastfeeding. We also offer a donor milk program for families who need it.
- Midwifery services: Our team of certified nurse midwives offers the highest level of support before, during and after delivery. Midwives are licensed health care providers educated in midwifery and nursing and have passed a board exam. They work with your OB-GYN to ensure the best and safest care possible.
- Level III NICU: Our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has a level III designation and private suites, so your baby will be well cared for.
Why choose the Advocate IMMC birthing center?
At the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center birthing center, we support all types of birthing experiences and have been named an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign. Our accredited Healthy Families program also provides teen mothers with education and support.
Our family-centered approach – combined with our reputation for excellent pregnancy and childbirth care – gives parents confidence and peace of mind during their birthing experience and postpartum care.
Looking for Spanish-language women’s health services? Learn how we can support you.
What’s it like giving birth in a birthing center?
Our comfortable, state-of-the-art labor and delivery rooms are equipped with sleeper sofas for spouses and support partners, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Regardless of your birth plan, we want you and your family to experience a calm, home-like setting.
What you can expect:
- Breastfeeding support is offered before and after your pregnancy with one-on-one assistance, on-demand access to breastfeeding classes plus outpatient services.
- Modern, private delivery rooms and postpartum suites mean you’ll welcome your baby in comfort and can focus on bonding through skin-to-skin contact.
- Customizable birthing environments feature custom lighting, aromatherapy and more.
- One nurse, your Baby’s First Friend, is dedicated to caring for only you and your baby.
- A bassinet is provided for your baby to have a safe place to sleep at your bedside. It’s important for babies to sleep on their backs in a safe sleep environment.
- Our no-separation policy keeps you and your baby together throughout your hospital stay, unless your baby requires specialized care.
- Daily nap time promotes rest for healing and bonding for mother and baby.
- In-room assessments and screenings include hearing, cardiac testing and bloodwork.
- Your baby’s location is monitored at all times via unique identification bands.
- We offer you and your family a calm, home-like setting for your birthing experience.
- Our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has a level III designation, so you can rest assured your baby will be well cared for in any event.
Family-centered birthing center
We support all types of birthing experiences and have been named an LGBT Healthcare Leader by the Human Rights Campaign. Our accredited Healthy Families program also provides teen mothers with education and support.
Advanced services for complex issues
As an advanced perinatal center, we’re equipped to provide the care moms and babies need when facing a high-risk pregnancy or complications. Some of the leading-edge services we provide include:
Antenatal Resource Center: To ensure your baby gets timely care, our ARC experts can identify potential issues before your due date by providing such services as:
- Early pregnancy evaluation
- Genetic blood screening
- Targeted ultrasound for unusual test results
- Prenatal diagnosis (genetic testing, counseling, heart health, amniocentesis)
- Baby’s development assessment and imaging
- Fetal echocardiography (baby’s heart rhythm)
- Perinatal surveillance unit: For mothers who require hospitalization before or after labor and delivery
- High-risk obstetrical suites: Specially designed to handle multiple births, caesarean deliveries and birth complications
- Board-certified neonatologists: On site 24/7 in our level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the highest level of treatment available in Illinois for critically ill and premature babies
- High-risk infant follow-up care: Monitoring and care for infants with developmental or neurological issues
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The midwives care for women who are experiencing low-risk pregnancies.
A Level III hospital can treat virtually all complications of pregnancy and the Level III nursery is equipped to care for newborns with complications.
To schedule a tour, call 1-800-3-ADVOCATE (1-800-323-8622) or click here.
The hospital offers a range of classes and resources for expectant families. To learn more and to register online, you can access a list of classes here. You can also register by calling 1-800-3-ADVOCATE.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The content on BirthGuide does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment....
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The content on BirthGuide does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. The Complementary Care Directory is a paid membership directory. Members provide the information in their listings, which is not vetted by BirthGuide. The listing of an individual or entity in this directory does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by BirthGuide. By using this directory you agree to be bound by the BirthGuide Terms & Conditions of Use. If you do not wish to be bound by these terms and conditions, please do not access the directory.
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.