Saint Anthony Hospital (Chicago) [Midwife-Attended Birth]
Chicago, Illinois 60623
A diffuser and essential oils are available for aromatherapy.
The hospital has inflatable CUB (“comfortable upright birth”) chairs that can serve as a birthing stool.
Saint Anthony Hospital has a dedicated OB anesthesia team available on site to provide pain relief 24/7.
Doula support: Saint Anthony Hospital welcomes your independent doula. In addition, the hospital has a relationship with Chicago Volunteer Doulas, who often have availability to provide labor support at your request, free of charge.
The hospital’s policy is to allow up to 2 support people to be with you, in addition to your doula.
Maternal-fetal specialists: The midwives care for women experiencing low-risk pregnancies. If you develop pregnancy complications, Saint Anthony Hospital’s maternal-fetal medicine specialists offer special care.
If you need a higher level of care, Saint Anthony Hospital also has a clinical partnership with University of Chicago Medicine.
A fridge and microwave are available for patient use on the unit.
Accepts Medicaid: Yes
See Insurance comments for details
Outcomes
Overall C-Section Rate (Risk Adjusted) – 16.5%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
Primary C-Section Rate (Risk Adjusted) – 10.1%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
VBAC Rate (Risk adjusted ) – 37.5%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate – 37.5%
As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
- Number of VBAC deliveries per year - 45
- Epidural Rate - 53
- Overall Induction Rate - 19
- Early Elective Deliveries - 0
- Episiotomy Rate - 1
Breastfeeding: At 80 – 90%, Saint Anthony Hospital’s rate for breastfeeding initiation in the hospital is considerably higher than its exclusive breastfeeding rate. The hospital serves a population for whom “mixed feeding” is the norm.
The Saint Anthony Maternity Center: At Saint Anthony Hospital, we want you to feel at home, and our Maternity Center provides you with an up-to-date facility and compassionate staff for a safe and calm childbirth experience. We are proud to have been ranked with one of the lowest C -Section rates in Chicago. BirthGuide Chicago also rated Saint Anthony as a top performing hospital for VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) in the Chicagoland area.
We encourage early family bonding and focus on patient-centered care and comfort, including spacious and private delivery rooms, accommodations for family and guests and a bilingual staff with interpreter services.
Our caring and experienced team looks forward to making the arrival of your new baby the most special experience it can be. Obstetricians, Midwives, Family Practitioners, Neonatologists, Nurses and 24-hour Anesthesiologists are at the hospital to provide the quality care and support you need.
Our midwives: The Saint Anthony Hospital Midwifery Group are full-time certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) dedicated to empowering the women of our community and providing that extra level of support and encouragement in your medical care. They have based their woman-centered practice on the philosophy that health care should be safe and satisfying in a welcoming environment.
Our midwives see every patient admitted for delivery, and closely collaborate with our obstetricians to provide a broad range of options to accommodate your birth experience needs and preferences, while providing emotional support and encouragement before, during, and after the labor and delivery process.
Saint Anthony recently received the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Award for low C-Section Rates.
Saint Anthony Hospital was also listed in Birth Guide Chicago as the Best Hospital in the Chicago Area for Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC): Saint Anthony Hospital is another top-performing hospital for VBAC in the Chicago area. Saint Anthony has a unique model: all pregnant and laboring women are cared for in the first instance by Saint Anthony’s midwives, backed up by a team of obstetricians. That means that the culture at Saint Anthony strongly reflects the midwifery model of care — a culture of patience, confidence in the natural process of birth, respect for the broad range of normal, and an emphasis on communication and shared decision-making.
Alternative Birthing Services:
- Nitrous Oxide – as a pain relief option during labor and delivery.
- CUB (Comfortable Upright Birth) Chairs – to provide mothers comfortable support throughout labor, and option for upright birth.
- Spinning Babies – an approach to optimize the physical relationship between the bodies of the mother and baby for the easing of childbirth.
- Laboring tub for relaxation and help with relaxation and back pain during labor.
Maternity Services: We offer a full range of services to help you learn what to expect during pregnancy, preparing for labor and delivery, as well as caring for your newborn after you give birth.
- Prenatal care
- Obstetrics & midwifery
- Maternal-fetal medicine
- Ultrasounds and other testing
- Breastfeeding support
- Free prenatal classes offered in both English and Spanish
- Diabetes education
- Circumcisions
Pain Management: We offer Nitrous Oxide as an alternative to an epidural during delivery. We have also added a new laboring tub for relaxation and help with contractions and back pain during labor.
We will work together to find the best option for you.
OB Patient Care Navigator: The Saint Anthony Hospital OB Patient Care Navigator supports patients with their individual prenatal care and maternity needs. She can help connect you with the right resources throughout your pregnancy and after delivery.
- Assistance with medical coverage and applications
- Help connecting you with doctors, midwives or doulas
- Guidance with prenatal needs, including signing up for prenatal classes
- Set up tours for the Saint Anthony Maternity Center, including transportation if needed
If you would like to talk with our OB Patient Care Navigator, please call 773.633.9671.
Child Safety Program: Child safety is a top priority at Saint Anthony Hospital. We started the Child Safety Program to help provide that extra care you need for your growing family.
Every woman who delivers at Saint Anthony receives a free car seat, along with some diapers and a few extra necessities for your newborn. Seats can be installed upon discharge by one of our certified passenger safety technicians.
Click here to see Insurance Accepted.
Patient acceptance guidelines for midwifery care are flexible. Most women can be cared for by the midwives, backed up by Saint Anthony Hospital obstetricians and family practitioners.
Saint Anthony Hospital offers tours of the Maternity Center for the entire family.
For more information about Maternity Center tours, please call 773.484.1010.
Saint Anthony Hospital childbirth classes are available in both English and Spanish. Prenatal Class sessions are held on Saturdays in the 2nd Floor Conference Room 4.
To learn more about prenatal education at the hospital, click 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.
Saint Anthony’s midwives do not perform c-sections, but if a c-section becomes necessary, the hospital’s surgical team will care for you.
Gentle c-section: Saint Anthony Hospital offers a gentle c-section. Except in an emergency, your baby will be delivered slowly and gently; after a quick assessment, your newborn will be placed on your chest for skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding initiation in the operating room. Your partner can be with you, and you have the option of a clear drape so you can see the birth.