At this point (late November 2022), virtually all Chicago-area hospitals and birth centers are allowing a laboring mother be accompanied by both her doula and her partner.
Below are the policies currently in place at all Chicago-area hospitals.
%Percent identifies hospitals where doulas must be vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination.
*Asterisk identifies all hospitals where doulas are allowed in addition to the mother’s partner/spouse.
+Plus identifies hospitals where unwritten exceptions are being applied to the hospital’s written visitor policy or where the entire policy is unwritten.
Birth Professionals: if you have any updated information or see errors, please let us know by email: [email protected]. Please be sure to include the source of your information.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND . . .
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*Advocate Christ Medical Center
Updated /checked 11/28/2022
Doula and partner allowed in labor & delivery at all hospitals.
From the Advocate Aurora system website:
Limited-visitor policy
All Advocate Aurora Health facilities have a limited-visitor policy in place to ensure safe care. This policy is part of our Safe Care Promise and ensures patients receive the care and support they need while helping reduce the spread of COVID, flu and other seasonal illnesses.
Visitors permitted
Two visitors at a time are allowed for all patients.
Visitors of pediatric patients, including patients in the NICU, must be 18 years old or older and authorized by a parent or caregiver.
Siblings younger than 18 may visit healthy newborns if the siblings are healthy and accompanied by a parent.
One substitute decision-maker is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who need help making decisions.
One doula is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who are in labor.
Faith leaders are permitted in addition to two visitors.
In end-of-life situations, the number of visitors permitted is based on available space and must allow for the patient to be safely cared for.
Our care team may limit visitors, support people and chaperones if there’s a health or safety risk to the patient, visitor or care team.
*Advocate Condell Medical Center
Updated /checked 11/28/2022
Doula and partner allowed in labor & delivery at all hospitals.
From the Advocate Aurora system website:
Limited-visitor policy
All Advocate Aurora Health facilities have a limited-visitor policy in place to ensure safe care. This policy is part of our Safe Care Promise and ensures patients receive the care and support they need while helping reduce the spread of COVID, flu and other seasonal illnesses.
Visitors permitted
Two visitors at a time are allowed for all patients.
Visitors of pediatric patients, including patients in the NICU, must be 18 years old or older and authorized by a parent or caregiver.
Siblings younger than 18 may visit healthy newborns if the siblings are healthy and accompanied by a parent.
One substitute decision-maker is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who need help making decisions.
One doula is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who are in labor.
Faith leaders are permitted in addition to two visitors.
In end-of-life situations, the number of visitors permitted is based on available space and must allow for the patient to be safely cared for.
Our care team may limit visitors, support people and chaperones if there’s a health or safety risk to the patient, visitor or care team.
*Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
Updated /checked 6/28
Doula and partner allowed in labor & delivery at all hospitals.
From the Advocate Aurora system website:
Visitor policy
All Advocate Aurora Health facilities have a visitor policy in place to ensure safe care. This policy is part of our Safe Care Promise and ensures patients receive the care and support they need while helping reduce the spread of COVID-19.
- Visitors, support people and chaperones are allowed for all patients. Our care team may limit visitors, support people and chaperones if there’s a health or safety risk to the patient, visitor or care team.
- Masks are required inside our facilities regardless of vaccination status, and visitors must pass health screening requirements.
- Visitors of patients in transmission-based isolation (including COVID-19) must follow proper personal protective equipment (PPE) precautions such as wearing a gown, gloves, etc. as instructed by our care team.
- Visitors of pediatric patients must be 18 years old or older and authorized by a parent or caregiver. Only two visitors are allowed at a time.
*%Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Updated /checked 11/28/2022
Doula and partner allowed in labor & delivery at all hospitals.
From the Advocate Aurora system website:
Limited-visitor policy
All Advocate Aurora Health facilities have a limited-visitor policy in place to ensure safe care. This policy is part of our Safe Care Promise and ensures patients receive the care and support they need while helping reduce the spread of COVID, flu and other seasonal illnesses.
Visitors permitted
Two visitors at a time are allowed for all patients.
Visitors of pediatric patients, including patients in the NICU, must be 18 years old or older and authorized by a parent or caregiver.
Siblings younger than 18 may visit healthy newborns if the siblings are healthy and accompanied by a parent.
One substitute decision-maker is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who need help making decisions.
One doula is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who are in labor.
Faith leaders are permitted in addition to two visitors.
In end-of-life situations, the number of visitors permitted is based on available space and must allow for the patient to be safely cared for.
Our care team may limit visitors, support people and chaperones if there’s a health or safety risk to the patient, visitor or care team.
*Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
Updated /checked 11/28/2022
Doula and partner allowed in labor & delivery at all hospitals.
From the Advocate Aurora system website:
Limited-visitor policy
All Advocate Aurora Health facilities have a limited-visitor policy in place to ensure safe care. This policy is part of our Safe Care Promise and ensures patients receive the care and support they need while helping reduce the spread of COVID, flu and other seasonal illnesses.
Visitors permitted
Two visitors at a time are allowed for all patients.
Visitors of pediatric patients, including patients in the NICU, must be 18 years old or older and authorized by a parent or caregiver.
Siblings younger than 18 may visit healthy newborns if the siblings are healthy and accompanied by a parent.
One substitute decision-maker is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who need help making decisions.
One doula is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who are in labor.
Faith leaders are permitted in addition to two visitors.
In end-of-life situations, the number of visitors permitted is based on available space and must allow for the patient to be safely cared for.
Our care team may limit visitors, support people and chaperones if there’s a health or safety risk to the patient, visitor or care team.
*Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
Updated /checked 11/28/2022
Doula and partner allowed in labor & delivery at all hospitals.
From the Advocate Aurora system website:
Limited-visitor policy
All Advocate Aurora Health facilities have a limited-visitor policy in place to ensure safe care. This policy is part of our Safe Care Promise and ensures patients receive the care and support they need while helping reduce the spread of COVID, flu and other seasonal illnesses.
Visitors permitted
Two visitors at a time are allowed for all patients.
Visitors of pediatric patients, including patients in the NICU, must be 18 years old or older and authorized by a parent or caregiver.
Siblings younger than 18 may visit healthy newborns if the siblings are healthy and accompanied by a parent.
One substitute decision-maker is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who need help making decisions.
One doula is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who are in labor.
Faith leaders are permitted in addition to two visitors.
In end-of-life situations, the number of visitors permitted is based on available space and must allow for the patient to be safely cared for.
Our care team may limit visitors, support people and chaperones if there’s a health or safety risk to the patient, visitor or care team.
*Advocate Sherman Hospital
Updated /checked 11/28/2022
Doula and partner allowed in labor & delivery at all hospitals.
From the Advocate Aurora system website:
Limited-visitor policy
All Advocate Aurora Health facilities have a limited-visitor policy in place to ensure safe care. This policy is part of our Safe Care Promise and ensures patients receive the care and support they need while helping reduce the spread of COVID, flu and other seasonal illnesses.
Visitors permitted
Two visitors at a time are allowed for all patients.
Visitors of pediatric patients, including patients in the NICU, must be 18 years old or older and authorized by a parent or caregiver.
Siblings younger than 18 may visit healthy newborns if the siblings are healthy and accompanied by a parent.
One substitute decision-maker is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who need help making decisions.
One doula is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who are in labor.
Faith leaders are permitted in addition to two visitors.
In end-of-life situations, the number of visitors permitted is based on available space and must allow for the patient to be safely cared for.
Our care team may limit visitors, support people and chaperones if there’s a health or safety risk to the patient, visitor or care team.
- Visitors of pediatric patients must be 18 years old or older and authorized by a parent or caregiver. Only two visitors are allowed at a time.
*Advocate South Suburban Hospital
Updated /checked 11/28/2022
Doula and partner allowed in labor & delivery at all hospitals.
From the Advocate Aurora system website:
Limited-visitor policy
All Advocate Aurora Health facilities have a limited-visitor policy in place to ensure safe care. This policy is part of our Safe Care Promise and ensures patients receive the care and support they need while helping reduce the spread of COVID, flu and other seasonal illnesses.
Visitors permitted
Two visitors at a time are allowed for all patients.
Visitors of pediatric patients, including patients in the NICU, must be 18 years old or older and authorized by a parent or caregiver.
Siblings younger than 18 may visit healthy newborns if the siblings are healthy and accompanied by a parent.
One substitute decision-maker is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who need help making decisions.
One doula is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who are in labor.
Faith leaders are permitted in addition to two visitors.
In end-of-life situations, the number of visitors permitted is based on available space and must allow for the patient to be safely cared for.
Our care team may limit visitors, support people and chaperones if there’s a health or safety risk to the patient, visitor or care team.
*Advocate Trinity Hospital
Updated /checked 11/28/2022
Doula and partner allowed in labor & delivery at all hospitals.
From the Advocate Aurora system website:
Limited-visitor policy
All Advocate Aurora Health facilities have a limited-visitor policy in place to ensure safe care. This policy is part of our Safe Care Promise and ensures patients receive the care and support they need while helping reduce the spread of COVID, flu and other seasonal illnesses.
Visitors permitted
Two visitors at a time are allowed for all patients.
Visitors of pediatric patients, including patients in the NICU, must be 18 years old or older and authorized by a parent or caregiver.
Siblings younger than 18 may visit healthy newborns if the siblings are healthy and accompanied by a parent.
One substitute decision-maker is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who need help making decisions.
One doula is permitted in addition to two visitors for patients who are in labor.
Faith leaders are permitted in addition to two visitors.
In end-of-life situations, the number of visitors permitted is based on available space and must allow for the patient to be safely cared for.
Our care team may limit visitors, support people and chaperones if there’s a health or safety risk to the patient, visitor or care team.
AdventHealth Bolingbrook
Checked 11/28: call to Labor & Delivery
Currently allowing doula and partner throughout labor.
+AdventHealth Glen Oaks
Updated /checked 11/28/2022
From call with L&D on 11/28/2022: Doula is allowed in addition to partner.
*AdventHealth Hinsdale
Updated /checked 11/28/2022 .
From call with L&D on 11/28/2022: Doula is allowed in addition to 2 support people.
*+Ascension Alexian Brothers Medical Center Elk Grove Village
Updated /checked 11/28/2022.
From call to L& D on 11/28/2022: +Partner & doula both allowed.
*+Ascension Mercy Aurora
Updated /checked 11/28/2022.
From call to L& D on 11/28/2022: +Doula and support person allowed.
*+%Ascension Resurrection Medical Center Chicago
Updated /checked 11/28
From call to L& D on 11/28/2022: +Doula and support person allowed. Doula should bring proof of certification and proof of vaccination or negative covid test.
*Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago
Updated /checked 11/28
From call to L& D on 11/28/2022: One visitor plus doula in labor and delivery. Doula must have certification and proof of vaccination.
*Ascension Saint Mary Chicago
Updated /checked 11/28/2022
From call to L& D on 11/28/2022: Doula and support person allowed.
*+%Ascension St. Alexius Hoffman Estates
Updated /checked 11/28/2022
From call to L& D on 11/28/2022: Doula and support person allowed.
*+The Birth Center at PCC
Doula and partner plus one family member and siblings.
Updated / checked 11/28/2022
*The Birth Center of Chicago
Updated / checked 11/28/2022
From the Birth Center website:
Clients are encouraged to limit their support team to three (3) people. A doula will not count as one of your three support people.
*Burr Ridge Birth Center
Updated / checked 11/28/2022
Clients can have up to 3 support people present during labor, plus a doula. Partners are included in this number. Children are welcome during the birth so long as they have a designated adult present to support them.
*Edward Hospital
Updated 11/28
From the Edward-Elmhurst Health website (Visitor Screening and Restrictions):
Labor and Delivery
• Patients may have one support person 24/7.
• Two visitors may also rotate 24/7.
• During the second stage of labor and delivery, patients can have a support person
plus one visitor (not including a doula).
Mother/Baby
• Patients may have one support person 24/7.
• Two visitors may also rotate during visiting hours.
Pediatrics/PICU/NICU
• Two parents or legal guardians are allowed for patients in the general Pediatrics Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care, Neonatal Intensive Care and Special Care Nursery
*Elmhurst Hospital
Updated 11/28
From the Edward-Elmhurst Health website (Visitor Screening and Restrictions):
Labor and Delivery
• Patients may have one support person 24/7.
• Two visitors may also rotate 24/7.
• During the second stage of labor and delivery, patients can have a support person
plus one visitor (not including a doula).
Mother/Baby
• Patients may have one support person 24/7.
• Two visitors may also rotate during visiting hours.
Pediatrics/PICU/NICU
• Two parents or legal guardians are allowed for patients in the general Pediatrics Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care, Neonatal Intensive Care and Special Care Nursery
*Evanston Hospital – NorthShore University HealthSystem
Updated /checked 11/28
Doulas and partner allowed. Doula must show proof of certification and vaccination.
Women’s Hospital
- Antepartum (Before Labor and Delivery) 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily. Support person may spend the night. Two visitors per day (not including support person) during visiting hours.
- Labor and Delivery 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily. Support person (overnight privileges). One designated visitor and one doula that meet criteria (does not count as a visitor). No Children under the age of 18.
- Mother and Baby: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily. Support person (not counted). Two designated visitors per day. Sibling visitation time frame is 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Siblings must pass health screening and have designated adult supervisor (not patient).
- Pediatrics: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily. Parents/guardians and two designated visitors per day.
- Infant SpecialCare Unit: 24 hours a day. No visitors under 18 years of age. Parents only with one per bedside at a time. Able to visit 24 hours per day except at shift change.
*Franciscan Health Family Birth Center
Updated /checked 11/28
From Franciscan Health website:
Updated November 4, 2022
Call to L&D on 11/30 confirms that doula is allowed in addition to partner during labor.
General Visiting Guidelines: Visiting hours are 8:30AM – 8PM. All hospital visitors must obtain a pass at the Information Desk in the main lobby before going to your room. We ask that:
- Visitors to adult units be 12 years of age or older. Visitors to the Family Birth Center must be 18 years of age or older.
- Note the temporary Family Birth Center Visitor Guidelines in the section below.
- You have only two visitors in your room at a time.
- Children must not be left unattended in lobby areas.
Visiting Hours: Visiting hours for most units are 8:30AM – 8PM. Please note visiting hours are a general guideline. ln some instances, it is in the best interest of our patients to limit visiting hours in order to allow patients to heal. In these cases, we respectfully request your cooperation.
Visiting hours in our specialty areas are as follows:
***
Family Birth Center: Fathers/labor support may visit 24 hours a day. Guests may visit from noon – 8PM. Due to the rise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other respiratory illnesses, temporary restrictions are in place for visitors to the Family Birth Center. Visitors to this unit must be 18 years of age or older.
*Highland Park Hospital – NorthShore University HealthSystem
Updated /checked 11/28
Doulas and partner allowed. Doula must show proof of certification and vaccination.
From the hospital website:
Women’s Hospital
- Antepartum (Before Labor and Delivery): 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily. Support person may spend the night. Two visitors per day (not including support person) during visiting hours.
- Labor and Delivery: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily. Support person (overnight privileges). One designated visitor and one doula that meet criteria (does not count as a visitor). No Children under the age of 18.
- Mother and Baby: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily. Support person (not counted). Two designated visitors per day. Sibling visitation time frame is 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Siblings must pass health screening and have designated adult supervisor (not patient).
- Special Care Nursery: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily. No visitors under 18 years of age. Parents only with one per bedside at a time. Able to visit 24 hours per day except at shift change.
*Humbolt Park Health [formerly Norwegian American Hospital]
Updated / checked 11/28
Visiting Hours
Humboldt Park Health (HPH) believes that patient and family involvement play an important role in the healing process. To facilitate this partnership, HPH provides an open visitation policy that welcomes and treats all visitors equally. Visitors are allowed 24 hours a day any day of the week. In some cases, restrictions to this policy may apply in order to maintain the safety and privacy of patients in the case of semi-private rooms the healing environment for the other patients in the room. If restrictions are required this will be communicated to visitors by the care team.We encourage families and friends to partner with us in the healing process at Humboldt Park Health, and hope our open visitation policy promotes a positive, welcoming environment.
*Ingalls Memorial Hospital
Updated / checked 11/21/2022
Source: Website instructs to call 708.333.2300. Recorded message specifies following policy:
- Two healthy adult visitors including a certified doula are allowed in L & D Unit regardless of the Covid-19 status of the patient.
- Minor patients staying the hospital may have two healthy parents or guardians at the bedside regardless of covid-19 status of the patient.
*Loyola University Medical Center
Updated / checked 11/21/2022
Women’s Health/Pediatric/Neonatal
Labor and delivery, mother-baby units and newborn nursery units will allow up to two designated visitors. Designated visitors cannot be switched or substituted. Visiting hours are 24/7 for labor and delivery. Mother-baby and newborn nursery units allow 24/7 vi