Ascension St. Alexius (Hoffman Estates) [Doctor-Attended Birth]

“Choosing where to deliver your baby is an important decision and AMITA Health has specially designed its Birth Centers to welcome your new baby into the world in beautiful, safe surroundings. At AMITA Health we deliver individualized, family-centered care, striving to be open, inclusive and compassionate as we tend to your needs. We are inspired by faith and a legacy of quality care delivered with dignity and empathy, and we embrace you as one of our own.”

“At Alexian Brothers Women and Children’s Hospital we offer:

• Level III Perinatal Services — with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Antepartum Unit for high-risk pregnancy
• High-risk pregnancy consultation and care to provide the best possible outcome
• Comprehensive infertility and reproductive health services
• Lactation support and services from certified feeding experts
• Pregnancy and postpartum services for new mothers suffering from anxiety, depression and other mood disorders (the first perinatal mood disorder program in the state)”

“Your Team: You will also be cared for by highly-skilled nurses who have additional training in critical care. They are committed to helping you have the birth experience you have planned for, providing care, support and education. Our entire team is ready to carry out the birth plan you and your obstetrician discussed prior to your baby’s birth.

Calming Environment: Designed for safety, efficiency and comfort, our welcoming Labor and Delivery suites have state-of-the-art monitoring systems, 24-hour security systems and bedside computerized charting so caregivers spend more time with you in your room. Plus, we offer flat-screen TVs and free WiFi. For mothers having a cesarean section, whether scheduled or unplanned, operating rooms are conveniently close to our Labor and Delivery suites.

From Our Family to Yours: Being present when your baby is born is as exciting for doctors and nurses as it is for you. It’s a fulfilling experience for our AMITA Health caregivers to help care for parents, babies and family members during this special time. From labor through delivery and recovery, we want you to feel comfortable caring for your baby. We’ll help teach you how to feed, dress, bathe and change your baby and prepare you and baby to safely go home.

“The Golden Hour”: The power of first impressions is well known and nothing is more significant than the first time your baby experiences life outside the comfort of your womb. Because the first hour following birth is so momentous, AMITA Health has named it the “Golden Hour.” The goal of the Golden Hour is to provide you and your baby with this important skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible. Many research studies have confirmed that this immediate skin-to-skin contact produces numerous benefits for you and your baby, for full-term and, as appropriate, for premature babies as well.

Rooming in: For new parents, it’s time to get to know your new baby in our well-appointed Mother and Baby suites. All of our private rooms feature a private bath and shower, a fold-out sofa or sleeping chair, a flat-screen TV and free WiFi. AMITA Health wants this to be the best possible experience so we highly recommend rooming-in with your baby. This means your baby will stay with you in your private room. Rooming-in is a wonderful way for you and your baby to get to know each other and learn all the noises, faces and movements your baby exhibits. If you have questions, you can talk with your nurse or doctor when the baby is in the room with you. Just like skin-to-skin contact immediately following birth, rooming-in also has many advantages for you and your baby.

Babies needing special care: Because AMITA Health understands that having a baby prematurely or requiring specialized care can be overwhelming to parents, each one of our nursery staff members will help provide family-centered treatments, which are beneficial to baby and family. We answer all of your questions and encourage you to participate in as much of your baby’s care as possible. We respect your role as a parent and want to help ensure you are included in all decision making as it relates to your baby’s health.

Lactation Services: Breastfeeding is one of the most important and rewarding experiences for a mother and baby. AMITA Health offers personalized breastfeeding help and support from board-certified lactation consultants who discuss feeding methods and assist as necessary.

Follow-Up Phone Call: Once you and your baby are settled at home, you should expect a call from one of our qualified care providers who will ask how you are doing and answer any questions you might have.”

You can take a virtual tour of the birthing center using the link below or call (844) OBTOURZ / (864) 628- 6879) to schedule an in-person tour.  You’ll see where your baby will be born and where you will spend the first hours together bonding, and have an opportunity to meet the nurses who will assist you.

AMITA Alexian Brothers Women and Children’s Hospital offers a number of classes for expectant families. You can see a schedule of classes here.