NorthShore University HealthSystem Swedish Hospital (Chicago) [Doctor-Attended Birth] - BirthGuide Chicago

NorthShore University HealthSystem Swedish Hospital (Chicago) [Doctor-Attended Birth]

Address:
5140 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 878-7787

Hospital | Doctor-attended birth

Outcomes:

Overall C-Section Rate (risk adjusted) - 19.0%

As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
Among the LOWEST
low
MEDIUM - LOW
med-low
MEDIUM - HIGH
med-high
Among the HIGHEST
High

Primary C-Section Rate (risk adjusted) - 11.1%

As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
Among the LOWEST
low
MEDIUM - LOW
med-low
MEDIUM - HIGH
med-high
Among the HIGHEST
High

VBAC Rate (risk adjusted) - 35.5%

As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
Among the HIGHEST
High
MEDIUM - HIGH
med-high
MEDIUM - LOW
med-low
Among the LOWEST
low

Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate - 52.6%

As compared to Chicago-area hospitals, this rate is:
Among the HIGHEST
High
MEDIUM - HIGH
med-high
MEDIUM - LOW
med-low
Among the LOWEST
low
  • Number of VBAC deliveries per year- 87
  • Epidural Rate - no data provided
  • Overall Induction Rate - no data provided
  • Early Elective Deliveries - 0 %
  • Episiotomy Rate - 2%

COMMENTS ON OUTCOMES

TEST The outcomes reported above are for all births at Swedish Hospital, including births attended both by doctors and midwives.

About 50% of mothers have an epidural.

Maternity Care Overview

[includes information from interview with clinical staff]

“Whether you are a new mom, or have had children before, Swedish Hospital is dedicated to helping guide you through pregnancy and childbirth and caring for your newborn.”

Our obstetricians: “To meet the diverse needs of expecting mothers, we offer both midwives and obstetricians, allowing you to determine what type of care is best for you.” “Swedish Hospital Medical Group obstetricians believe that all women should receive evidence-based and compassionate health care through all stages of their life. For new or experienced mothers, we provide a range of services to guide each and every woman through pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care.” “Often, women chose to give birth with an OB/GYN they are already familiar and comfortable with. In addition, OBs specialize in assisting in high-risk pregnancy in which the mother has certain health problems, is younger than 17 or older than 35, is pregnant with more than one baby or is taking certain medications.”

Family Birthing Center: “Our Family Birthing Center was designed to provide clinical expertise and leading-edge medical capabilities in a comfortable, private and home-like setting. During your stay, our expert, caring staff takes time to make sure your needs are met, and we are happy to answer your questions along the way.”

“We consider the whole family’s experience in our Birthing Center rooms. Each room has a jacuzzi, rocking chair and a pullout bed so your partner or another support person can stay with you throughout labor and while you recover. Centrally-located in the Birthing Center is a kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven and coffee maker for the use of birthing mothers and their support team.”

“A few hours after your baby is born, you will move to the Mother-Baby Unit. The Mother and Baby Unit provides a comfortable place for families to visit their newborn. Mother and baby can room together in a private, home-like setting with a pullout bed for dad or other support person. A dinette area and entertainment center includes a flat-screen TV, completing the comforts of home. Additionally, WiFi is available, allowing the new family to share the good news of the baby’s arrival.”

Pain management options: “We recognize that every woman is different. We believe in empowering mothers during the birthing process by following their individual pain-management preferences.”

“We provide both traditional and alternative pain management techniques and resources. Every room in our birthing center has a jacuzzi, birthing stool and squatting bar to help you manage your pain.”

“Other pain management options include:

  • IV Sedation: Sedatives may be used to help reduce stress and ease pain.
  • Epidural: Our anesthesia team is available on-site 24/7 to offer an epidural if you choose.” ” 50% of patients receive an epidural to relieve pain without eliminating labor-related pressure to help you remain attentive.” “Most patients are able to deliver using an epidural with minimal pain while still being able to feel labor-related pressure, allowing them to remain active and attentive during delivery.”
  • Nitrous: Swedish  Hospital is the only hospital within the Chicago city limits—and one of a growing number nationally—to offer nitrous oxide as an additional pain management tool for women in childbirth. Patients self-administer the medication by choosing how much gas to inhale, empowering each individual to safely and effectively manage the discomfort of labor and post-birth procedures while remaining alert and conscious.

Breastfeeding support: Specialized breastfeeding support can benefit all new mothers. Every mother and baby is different—while some mothers benefit from guidance immediately after birth, others may need assistance later. We strive to provide you with the resources you need to start on the right foot and continue successfully throughout motherhood.”

  • Inpatient Breastfeeding Assistance: A board-certified lactation consultant sees every patient that gives birth at Swedish Hospital prior to discharge to assist in beginning to breastfeeding and to answer any questions new mothers may have on the topic. All nurses in the Mother Baby Unit are required to have breastfeeding training and are available for additional assistance, so there is expert breastfeeding support for all new mothers 24/7.
  • Breastfeeding Clinic: Swedish Hospital’s Breastfeeding Clinic provides moms with access to internationally board-certified lactation consultants and nurse practitioners during hour-long visits. We welcome all moms, regardless of where they give birth and accept most forms of insurance, including Medicaid, with no out-of-pocket expense to the patient.

Skin-to-skin: “The moments after giving birth will be a special time for you and your baby. We recommend two hours of uninterrupted bonding time between mommy, partner and baby immediately after birth. Instead of receiving visitors, we strongly encourage you to use this time for you and your baby to recover and benefit from skin-to-skin contact. This time also allows for important health assessments for you and your baby.”

Maternal Fetal Medicine Program: “Women facing a high-risk pregnancy or who develop complications don’t have to travel far for comprehensive care from board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialists. The Maternal-Fetal Medicine Program at Swedish Hospital in Chicago offers advanced care for mothers and babies, from early pregnancy through birth and beyond. Program highlights include:

  • Team of 11 board-certified Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialists available based on schedule rotation
  • Techniques for the latest diagnostic care of patients with complicated pregnancies
  • MFM team works closely with obstetricians, family practice physicians and certified nurse-midwives at Swedish Hospital, as well as the neonatologists from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, to ensure the highest level of care for mom and baby
  • A partnership with The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health at Lurie Children’s offers the patient a unique multidisciplinary approach involving the obstetrical team, the pediatric specialists at Lurie Children’s and the baby’s pediatrician to provide the best comprehensive care plan following delivery
  • Outpatient clinic available all day on Thursdays
  • On-call service 24/7 for physician-to-physician phone consultations”

Neonatologists: “Board-certified neonatologists from Lurie Children’s round daily and are on call 24/7 in our inpatient unit and their pediatric hospitalists are always on site. They also attend high-risk deliveries and help manage babies with health issues.”

INSURANCE

Click here to see Insurance Accepted.

Patient ​Acceptance ​Guidelines

Risk guidelines for VBAC

Trial of VBAC is an option for women who have had one previous cesarean birth.

TRANSFER OF CARE AND TRANSPORT

    In general, care in the Swedish Hospital ICN is limited to newborn infants who are more than 32 weeks gestational age and weigh more than 1,500 grams at birth or who are recovering from serious illness treated in a Level III NICU. Newborns who are seriously ill may be transferred to a facility with a Level III NICU.

    MATERNITY SERVICE TOURS

    Swedish Hospital nurses conduct 60-90 minute guided tours of the Family Birthing Center. The tour includes an informational Q & A session.

    Tours are available each month at the following times: 10 a.m. on the first Sunday, 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday, 6 p.m. on the third Thursday and 10 a.m. on the fourth Saturday. You can register by clicking here. For late cancellations or inquiries about class availability, please call (773) 878-8200, Ext. 2125.

    Please note: if you are planning to attend Swedish Hospital’s Childbirth Education Class, you do not need to attend this tour since the Childbirth Education Class includes a tour of the Family Birthing Center

    CHILDBIRTH CLASSES

    Swedish Hospital in Chicago offers educational programs and childbirth classes for new and expectant mothers, including:

    • Baby Care and Infant CPR
    • Breastfeeding
    • Childbirth Education Class
    • Family Birthing Center Tour
    • New Moms Group
    • Clase de Lactancia Materna
    • Pre- and Postpartum Exercise Classes

    For more information, or to register for an event, call 773-878-6888 or click here.

    MATERNITY CARE CERTIFICATIONS & AWARDS

    The Swedish Hospital Midwives [part of NorthShore] has achieved the Triple Aim Designation from ACNM based on excellent exclusive breastfeeding, primary cesarean birth and preterm birth rates.

    The hospital is currently in Phase 3 of Baby Friendly Certification.

    Last updated: November 4, 2023
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