Rush University Medical Center (Chicago)
Chicago, IL 60612
Aromatherapy options exclude anything requiring an open flame (i.e., candles and incense).
For women who want a natural childbirth (no pain medication), the labor and delivery team 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.
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 is available once parents get home, including support group meetings.
For high-risk care:
- OB-GYNs on staff specialize in caring for women with high-risk pregnancies.
- The Rush Fetal and Neonatal Medicine Center offers prenatal testing and care for high-risk pregnancy.
- The level III NICU provides the highest level of care available to at-risk babies.
- NICU respiratory therapists at Rush attend high-risk deliveries when needed to help care for babies who have breathing problems after they are born.
- Neonatologists and nurses with advanced training and technology are on-site 24/7
Refrigerators and microwaves are available on both the Labor and Delivery and Mother Baby Units for patient use.
Accepts Medicaid: Yes
See Insurance comments for details
For more information about interpreter services at Rush, please go to https://www.rush.edu/patients-visitors/visitors/interpreter-services
Rush is committed to providing you and your loved ones with quality care in the language you prefer. If you need medical information in a language other than English, Rush’s interpreter staff can help.
- Rush has nationally certified Spanish and Polish interpreters.
- Rush also offers services in 200 additional languages, including American Sign Language (ASL).
Outcomes
Overall C-Section Rate (Risk Adjusted) – 30.2%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
Primary C-Section Rate (Risk Adjusted) – 20.4%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
VBAC Rate (Risk adjusted ) – 19.8%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate – 42.7%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
- Number of VBAC deliveries per year - 67
- Epidural Rate -
- Overall Induction Rate -
- Early Elective Deliveries - 0
- Episiotomy Rate - 1
About the Rush University Medical Center Family Birth Center
Screening for and treating depression in new moms: Before new moms leave the hospital, our providers screen them for symptoms of depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. If a new mom needs help, we connect her to resources, including Rush University Medical Center’s Center for Women’s Behavioral and Mental Health. The earlier the diagnosis, the easier postpartum depression is to treat — and the better a new mom will feel as she bonds with and cares for her baby.
“Baby-Friendly” certification honors commitment to breastfeeding and bonding: Rush University Medical Center earned a “Baby-Friendly” designation from a national organization that honors hospitals for providing the best environments for breastfeeding. While we respect a mom’s choice in feeding her baby, it’s our goal to provide the optimal conditions for successful breastfeeding. This includes promoting skin-to-skin contact, having trained staff available after delivery and limiting separation between the mom and baby during their hospital stay.
Convenience and care in one location: Our Family Birth Center offers labor and delivery, post-delivery and baby care, and neonatal intensive care in one location. Each of these units care for you through each stage of birth so you have the convenience of not changing floors. And if your baby needs extra care, our NICU is just steps away. We’re the only hospital in Illinois to have our NICU immediately next to our labor and delivery rooms.
Spacious and comfortable labor and delivery suites: Our large labor and delivery rooms provide space for you to relax and do pain-relieving exercises as you labor. There is also comfortable sitting and sleeping space for any loved ones who are part of your birthing experience.
Your delivery, your choices: At Rush, you can labor as you choose surrounded by capable and caring staff who support your birth plan. With birthing balls, large showers and labor teams trained in different relaxation and breathing techniques, we can tailor your labor experience to your preferences. Our expert anesthesia team can also administer pain medication, like an epidural, to make you more comfortable during labor and delivery. If you’re interested in learning more about labor techniques and tips, check out our childbirth classes.
Telemetry monitoring allows you to move during labor: Since contractions can stress some babies and affect their heart rates, Rush providers keep a close watch on how your baby is handling labor and delivery through electronic monitoring. For moms interested in walking and moving during labor, we offer telemetry monitoring. This type of monitoring enables your provider to watch your baby’s heart rate and allows you to be mobile. Being mobile can be an important part of anyone’s labor, but especially a mom wanting an alternative birth.
Gentle cesarean encourages bonding: Sometimes having a C-section can distract you from celebrating the first moments of welcoming a new baby. Rush Copley Medical Center offers gentle C-section, which switch the traditional solid drape for a clear one, allowing moms to see their baby being born. Research has found that this technique helps parents feel more connected during the birth and bond more quickly with their baby.
Mother Baby Unit for after your baby is born: After delivery, you’ll stay in our Mother Baby Unit — 34 single, private suites with plenty of space for family members. Your baby will stay in your room with you, allowing you more time to bond and learn about baby care from our pediatricians and nurses.
“Baby-Friendly” certification honors commitment to breastfeeding and bonding: Rush University Medical Center earned a “Baby-Friendly” designation from a national organization that honors hospitals for providing the best environments for breastfeeding. While we respect a mom’s choice in feeding her baby, it’s our goal to provide the optimal conditions for successful breastfeeding. This includes promoting skin-to-skin contact, having trained staff available after delivery and limiting separation between the mom and baby during their hospital stay.
Our nurses and lactation consultants have special training to help new moms and babies with breastfeeding. We offer bedside breastfeeding assistance immediately after delivery and in the privacy of your mother baby suite, as well as once you return home. We also have breastfeeding classes for new mothers. This special support, and commitment to helping moms breastfeed, earned Rush a Baby-Friendly birth center designation.
Highest level of NICU care: Our level III NICU and expert providers are ready to care for your baby if needed. We offer 55 private NICU rooms, each with individual control of lighting, sound and temperature to offer your family comfort and privacy during your stay.
Caring for you after your hospital stay: Rush University Medical Center wants to help ensure that your transition to home is a smooth one for your new family. Through our Family Connects program, part of Family Connects Chicago, a nurse will visit with Chicago residents about three weeks after you return home. This check-in meeting, at home or virtual, will help us connect you to care and services that can help you thrive physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.
Click here to see Insurance Accepted.
Customer service representatives and financial counselors are available to help you navigate and understand your coverage.
Customer service:
- (312) 942-5693, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- [email protected]
Financial counselors
- (312) 942-5967, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
[email protected]
For more information about tours of the Family Birth Center, please call (888) 352-RUSH (7874).
You can information about classes offered at Rush 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.
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.
Breech and VBA+2C: Please speak with your prenatal care providers about the availability of breech trials of labor and VBAC2+ deliveries.