Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital (Lake Forest)

“Services: Providing you and your baby with the best beginning is our utmost priority. Our board-certified obstetrician/gynecologists deliver the most current medical expertise with old-fashioned, personalized attention. They provide optimal care with respect, compassion and responsiveness to you. These physicians listen to any concerns you have and take time to answer your questions. Your obstetrician will partner with you to plan and achieve the birth experience you want.

Lake Forest Hospital features state-of-the-art resources for testing and treatment throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Our sophisticated diagnostic capabilities and advanced monitoring identify unexpected issues as early as possible.”

“Your birth plan: Childbirth is an experience unique to each woman and family, and we understand that you may have certain requests regarding the birth of your child. Discussing and creating a birth plan with your physician in advance will help us ensure that your wishes are considered. Topics to discuss include the use of safe pain management medications, natural childbirth, the option to bank your child’s cord blood and the administration of routine vaccinations.

Our nurses are passionate about their role. Their blend of competence and compassion can make a real difference in your childbirth experience and your first moments with your new baby. They’ll encourage you, hold your hand and help ease you through the childbirth process. All of our labor and delivery nurses have advanced certification in fetal heart monitoring—a vital asset during delivery—as well as advanced cardiac life support.

Our nurses are helpful well before your delivery. While you’re pregnant, they offer instruction on prenatal care and childbirth expectations to prepare you for a healthy birthing experience. Afterward, your nurse can provide personalized guidance on infant care right in your room, such as tips for holding, bathing and soothing your baby. If you choose to breastfeed, they will also provide lactation support and education.

To provide exceptional care during your stay, our nurses conduct hourly rounding. This means they will check on you regularly, but they won’t wake you unless it’s necessary to monitor your clinical condition. Your nurses will keep you informed about procedures and tests, and they will discuss your pain management and mobility needs to help ensure your comfort. And when it’s time for a shift change, the outgoing nurse and incoming nurse will conduct a bedside report in your room so that you know your needs are accurately communicated.”

“Skin–to–skin cuddling: We encourage you to “room in” with your baby. Keeping your baby nearby promotes bonding. Cuddling your baby, especially with skin-to-skin contact, nurtures the child’s emotional comfort, brain development, breathing and heart rate. Studies have shown that babies who are with their mothers cry less, soothe more quickly and get more rest. They also take in more breast milk, gain more weight per day and are less likely to develop jaundice.

We recognize the importance of newborn bonding to parents as well as other family members. Beginning soon after the delivery of your baby, we advocate skin-to-skin contact with your newborn. All new parents and grandparents are encouraged to hold the newborn baby this way for a minimum of 30 minutes, three times a day.”

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 . You can also see a schedule of classes for expectant parents here.