Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital (Lake Forest) [Midwife-Attended Birth]
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
The midwives are skilled at supporting labor using non-pharmacological methods of pain relief such as hydrotherapy, changes of position, moving and vocalizing, counterpressure.
Your partner can stay at the hospital throughout your labor and delivery. A pull out bed or couch in each room allows partner rooming in.
You are welcome to bring a credentialed doula to support you during your stay. Please note:
- Doulas are not provided by Northwestern Medicine. So, you’ll need to arrange for one yourself.
- Credentialed doulas do not count toward your visitor limit in the labor and delivery room or postpartum unit.
- In the operating room or recovery room, doulas may only be present if they are your one designated support person. Their presence also must be approved by the healthcare team.
- Doulas must present their credentials to your care team upon arrival. These will be scanned into your health record and MyNM account.
Breastfeeding support: Many of the postpartum nurses at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital are Certified Lactation Counselors, trained to support breastfeeding. For more complicated breastfeeding issues, you can request help from a Certified Lactation Consultant.
Breastfeeding Classes: Classes are available to prepare you to breastfeed. Other members of your family are invited to attend to prepare them to support you as a breastfeeding mother.
Onsite maternal fetal medicine specialists care for maternal complications, such as pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes.
Neonatologists from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago are onsite seven days a week.
Additionally, a pediatric hospitalist from Lurie Children’s Hospital is onsite 24/7 to assist the obstetricians with high-risk births.
The hospital’s Level II+ Special Care Nursery is certified for extended capabilities to address the needs of infants who require more specialized attention in their first few days, including infants born prematurely and/or stable ventilated babies.
Accepts Medicaid: Yes
See Insurance comments for details
Medically trained interpreters for a variety of languages are available to assist you if you prefer to communicate in a language other than English. This confidential service is provided free of charge.
Outcomes
Overall C-Section Rate (Risk Adjusted) – 26.7%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
Primary C-Section Rate (Risk Adjusted) – 14.5%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
VBAC Rate (Risk adjusted ) – 11.3%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate – 80.2%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
- Number of VBAC deliveries per year - 28
- Epidural Rate -
- Overall Induction Rate -
- Early Elective Deliveries -
- Episiotomy Rate -
The outcomes reported are for all births at Lake Forest Hospital, including births attended by doctors and midwives. Midwives care for lower risk pregnancies, and also tend to have lower rates of interventions of all kinds.
Overview: If you’re expecting a baby or planning a pregnancy, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital delivers a full range of care to make this time as healthy, personalized and stress-free as possible. You and your family will be surrounded by expert physicians, highly trained nurses and other care team members who are committed to your baby’s and family’s well-being.
Midwifery: The midwifery approach to health care has never been more important. Today’s woman expects the best care. She expects her provider to understand and value her individual needs, and she wants a provider who will partner with her to make health decisions.
Midwives focus on what is most important to each woman’s unique situation and values, and they often work with other members of the health care team.
Your midwife will partner with you on making decisions around pain relief techniques, such as use of epidural during labor, and make sure that you receive the type of pain relief you need and want. Whether you wish to use relaxation or movement methods or IV, epidural, or other medications, your midwife will work with you to help meet your desired approach to birth. At the same time, your midwife will provide you with information and resources about the different options and choices available if any changes to your birth plan become necessary or if you change your mind.
Most midwives favor an approach to pregnancy, labor, and birth that is based on normal, bodily processes rather than on the use of medical procedures: an approach that is strongly supported by current research. The midwifery model of care does not support routinely using medical procedures if there is no clear reason for them or if their use is not supported by research. For example, scheduling a labor induction or a cesarean birth without a clear reason is not supported by research and can often lead to unwanted problems. However, when a medical procedure is necessary, your midwife will work with you to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about your care and to be sure you are aware of any options or alternatives that may also be available.
Comprehensive prenatal care: In addition to prenatal care, we offer resources like programs and classes to keep you healthy and prepared for pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood. Our maternal-fetal specialists are here to care for any complications that may arise.
A personal childbirth plan: We want to create a memorable childbirth experience for you and your family. Please share your preferences with your care team so we can help provide the best possible experience. Consider your preferences for:
- Family participation
- Pain management
- Breastfeeding
You can share your preferences with your care team so we can help provide the best possible experience for you.
High-comfort, high-tech birthing suites: When it’s time for your baby’s arrival, you’ll settle into a private labor-delivery-recovery suite. Experienced nurses will care for and support you during childbirth. Learn more about the maternity services at Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital.
Pain management options: During labor, you’ll have a variety of pain-relief options, including nonmedication methods, medications and anesthesia (typically an epidural). Epidurals are administered by anesthesiologists, who are on-site 24/7.
Click here to see Insurance Accepted.
The hospital offers a free tour of the labor & delivery and postpartum floor. You can see a schedule of upcoming tours here. Please call 312.926.8400 to register.
Lake Forest Hospital offers a range of childbirth classes. For course registration, program specifics or additional information, call the Childbirth Education Line at 847.535.6182 or email [email protected]. You can also see a schedule of classes for expectant parents here.
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.
The midwives do not perform Cesarean sections. If a C-section becomes necessary in labor, you will receive care from the surgical team.