Rush Copley Medical Center (Aurora) [Midwife-attended birth]

Midwives do not perform C-sections. If a cesarean birth becomes necessary, it will be performed by an OB.

Gentle c-section: For c-section deliveries, the baby may be placed skin-to-skin on your chest immediately after surgery or held by your partner skin-to-skin until you are ready and able. A clear drape is also an option.

Breech and VBA+2C: Please speak with your prenatal care providers about the availability of breech trials of labor and VBAC2+ deliveries.

The Alternative Birth Suite (ABC) offers a large tub for water immersion during labor (available to women who qualify for care in the ABC).

Aromatherapy options exclude anything requiring an open flame (i.e., candles and incense).

The Alternative Birth Suite (“ABC”)  is designed for women who want a natural childbirth (no pain medication). In both the ABC and the Family Birth Center, midwives and nurses will assist with the following:

• Relaxation approaches
• Breathing techniques
• Other natural ways to relieve pain during labor, such as the use of birthing balls and showers

If you choose an epidural or other pain medication, the anesthesia team is available 24/7.

Partner rooming in: All suites are single and have private bathrooms for mothers and families. Couches and chairs transform into sleeping spaces for family and visitors.

Visitor Guidelines on Labor & Delivery:

Visiting hours on Labor & Delivery are 24 hours/day.

The number of support persons allowed in L&D are as follows:

• OB Triage – 1 support person (no children)
• Labor, Delivery, Recovery (LDR) Room – 4 support persons (including children)
• Operating Room (OR) – 1 support person (at the discretion of the Attending Anesthesiologist and Obstetric Attending Physician; no children)
• Post-Anesthesia Recovery (PAR) – 1 support person (no children)

Children (siblings of the baby) under 12 years of age may be permitted as a visitor.

• The child must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• The responsible adult cannot be the main maternal support person.
• Children are not allowed in the PAR, OR or OB Triage.

Visitor Guidelines on Mother Baby Unit:

General visiting hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visitation outside of the posted hours must be arranged with the patient’s assigned nurse.

A spouse, significant other, or parent-approved visitor is permitted to stay overnight.

The number of visitors will not be restricted as long as privacy is respected.

Children:

• Sibling visitation:

o   There is no age restriction on sibling visitation

• Non-sibling visitation:

o   Non-siblings must be age 6 and above to visit.

Skin-to-skin: The Family Birth Center promotes skin-to-skin contact during the first hour immediately after delivery.

Baby exams:  All care for the baby — including initial baths and exams by the pediatricians — takes place in the mother-baby suite.

Nurses and lactation consultants at Rush are trained to assist new moms and babies with breastfeeding. Support includes:

• Breastfeeding classes for expectant parents.
• Bedside breastfeeding assistance immediately after labor and delivery and then in the mother baby unit.
• Skin-to-skin contact is initiated between baby and mother as soon as possible.
• Lactation support available in the hospital from 7 am to 11 pm.
• Lactation support is also available once parents get home, including support group meetings.

For high-risk care:

• The level III NICU provides the highest level of care available to at-risk babies.
• Neonatologists and nurses with advanced training and technology are on-site 24/7

NICU has private rooms with 24/7 access so families can be with their babies around-the-clock.

Rooms in the Family Birth Center and the Alternative Birth Center (“ABC”) have showers. The ABC also offers a large tub.

Refrigerators and microwaves are available on both the Labor and Delivery and Mother Baby Units for patient use.

For more information about interpreter services at Rush, please go to https://www.rush.edu/patients-visitors/visitors/interpreter-services  or call Language Assistance Services at (630) 978-4832

Rush offers services in 200 additional languages, including American Sign Language (ASL).