Mother and Baby Care in Chicagoland

Welcoming a new life into the world never loses its magic. That's why our obstetricians take great care to ensure that your baby's first moments are met with the caring touch of the region's leading obstetric specialists, midwives and doulas.

At our home-like birth centers, mothers and their newborns can experience amenities and pampering alongside high-level maternity care. During childbirth, you can expect hands-on, compassionate care to create the labor and delivery experience you want, while keeping you and your baby healthy and safe.

Our birth center amenities include:

• A single space for labor, delivery and recovery
• Bedside education on feeding, cord care, diapering and bathing techniques
• Certified midwives (Hinsdale also offers doula support)
• Dedicated primary care nurse caregiver
• Out-of-sight, state-of-the-art medical technology, so your room feels less clinical
• Hydrotherapy
• Large, private birthing suites
• Overnight accommodations for your support person
• Pain management choices, including epidurals and relaxation guides
• Special or private suites for mothers who have undergone cesarean deliveries
  

Women's health needs are highly personal, especially when having a baby. We also respect that you know your body better than anyone else. That's why it's always your choice whether you see the doctor or a certified nurse midwife (CNM).

Available at our Bolingbrook and Hinsdale hospitals, our CNMs collaborate with our doctors, listening carefully to you and ensuring you receive the highest quality compassionate care. We can also help you find doula support before and after your pregnancy.

About Our Certified Nurse Midwives
A CNM is a registered nurse who has a minimum of a master's degree from an accredited university and has passed a national board certification exam.

CNMs provide a continuum of healthcare for low-risk women throughout adulthood, offering gynecologic medical and obstetric care, including prenatal, childbirth and postpartum care.

Women who choose a CNM often do so because they’re seeking a more holistic pregnancy and birth experience. Our CNMs are ardent supporters of vaginal births with fewer medical interventions (without epidural anesthesia, episiotomies, instrument deliveries, etc.). Our CNMs view pregnancy and birth as events that can typically happen without major medical complications. They encourage women to actively participate in their care, emphasizing preventive medicine with a holistic approach.

If childbirth interventions become required, they are done judiciously and in collaboration with an obstetrics and gynecology doctor. Obstetricians and neonatologists are on the unit floor 24 hours a day. Your health and safety, and that of your baby, are our highest priorities.

Physicians in the field of maternal-fetal medicine specialize in treating high-risk pregnancies and the most common types of pregnancy complications, including congenital disabilities, chromosomal issues and genetic disorders. A maternal-fetal medicine specialist can help improve the likelihood of a successful, healthy delivery for mothers and babies who have risk factors.

Present through all stages of your pregnancy, our team of obstetricians, gynecologists, genetic counselors and sonographers can coordinate your prenatal tests and screenings, monitor your baby’s growth and help manage any pre-existing conditions that could affect your pregnancy.

Your obstetrician may refer you to a maternal-fetal specialist if you have any of the following risk factors:

• History of diabetes, heart disorders, high blood pressure or breathing problems
• History of pregnancy complications
• History of smoking, drinking or drug use
• Multiples pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.)
• Older than age 35
• Past abdominal surgeries

Our maternal-fetal medicine specialists can also offer care for several different conditions diagnosed in utero, including:

• Amniotic disorders
• Genetic disorders
• Growth disorders
• Placental disorders
• Prenatal complications
• Suspected congenital disabilities

Not every pregnancy goes according to plan.

Manage your risks and eliminate stress by delivering at a UChicago Medicine AdventHealth hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and perinatal services appropriate to your needs. And because our locations are so close to home, you and your family can spend less time traveling and more time at your new baby's side.

UChicago Medicine AdventHealth NICUs in Chicagoland

Perinatal services are designed for babies that experience problems in the weeks leading up to and just after birth. With level II and III care at our hospitals, your baby will receive the best care close to home.

Our hospitals in the area have the following NICU designations:

ICN Level II:

• UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook

NICU Level III:

• UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale

We are part of the UChicago Medicine Perinatal Network. Take comfort in knowing that whatever services you need, we will coordinate seamlessly with the best obstetricians and specialists you and your baby need.

At our UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook and Hinsdale hospitals, we offer 24-hour, onsite obstetric (OB) hospitalist coverage, provided by OB Hospitalist Group (OBHG), the nation’s largest and only dedicated provider of customized obstetric hospitalist programs. Hospitalists are physicians who specialize solely in caring for hospitalized patients rather than those in a clinical office setting. This hospitalist program adds to our hospital’s quality obstetrics and women’s health services.

When an expectant or postpartum mom enters the emergency department, these OB hospitalists:

• Evaluate within 30 minutes of arrival for patients 16 weeks or greater gestation (at our Bolingbrook hospital); 12 weeks or greater gestation (at our Hinsdale hospital); and those within six weeks postpartum
• Admit to the labor and delivery unit or discharge the patient home within four hours of arrival
• Contact the patient’s obstetric physician and work collaboratively on care
• When an expectant mom in labor arrives, the OB hospitalists:
  • Care for laboring patients while waiting for their obstetrician to arrive
  • Support the care of high-risk pregnancy patients
  • Deliver babies and care for patients who do not have an obstetric care provider
  • Provide postpartum care
    

We’re here to help you navigate the ups and downs of breastfeeding. We understand that the journey isn’t always easy and may not look how you envisioned. Feel confident knowing that our team of certified lactation consultants is here for you every step of the way, from working on latching techniques to troubleshooting clogged ducts, supply issues and more.

Certified Lactation Consultants to Guide You

Our lactation consultants want every new mother leaving our hospitals to approach breastfeeding with confidence. That’s why we have several lactation consultants available for consultations every day of the week by appointment and who can follow up with you after discharge.

We also continuously train our team of nurses on the latest breastfeeding techniques — taking great care to comply with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a joint effort by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) that encourages hospitals to teach successful feeding skills. Together, we'll work one-on-one with you to achieve successful breastfeeding.

In addition, our lactation consultants are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE), which demonstrates their commitment to staying in the know on the latest evidence-based care and support for breastfeeding mothers.

The Nurturing Nook

We offer The Nurturing Nook to promote and protect the initiation and duration of breastfeeding through support, supplies and education. Most visits are covered by insurance, but please check with your insurance coverage.

The Nurturing Nook offers:

• Breastfeeding Support Group on Tuesdays from 12 to 1:30 pm at our Hinsdale hospital
• Lactation management support
• Pre- and post-feeding weight checks
• Proper latch instruction
• Care for milk production concerns
• Care for breast or nipple pain
• Breast pump use and pumping support
• Support for returning to work
• Hospital-grade Symphony breast pump rentals and Symphony kits
• Prenatal breastfeeding education classes taught by an Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
• Donor milk depot and dispensary locations for the Mother's Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes at our Hinsdale hospital

To reach The Nurturing Nook at our Bolingbrook hospital, call 630-312-4234 for an appointment, pump rental or to schedule an in-person tour. For The Nurturing Nook at our Hinsdale hospital, call 630-856-MILK or email HIN.NurturingNook@AdventHealth.com for a one-on-one appointment, to pre-register for the Breastfeeding Support Group, arrange a pump rental or bra fitting, or donor milk drop-off or purchase.

After childbirth, our team remains by your side as you heal, recover and enjoy your little one’s first moments and milestones. You can count on us for ongoing support and encouragement even after you go home.

Our postpartum services include:

• Dedicated warmlines for non-urgent questions, advice or support through our Hinsdale hospital
• Lactation support in the hospital and ongoing support through in-person and telephone counseling once you’re home
• Support groups for new moms and parents at our Hinsdale hospital
• Umbilical cord banking

It's natural to feel overwhelmed during and after pregnancy. But if those feelings interfere with your happiness or your ability to care for your baby, it's important to ask for professional help immediately.

We offer compassionate, proven treatment for pre-, peri- and postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms. Guided by certified behavioral medicine specialists, our care promotes whole-family bonding by inviting partners, fathers and co-parents to participate in the therapeutic process.

Is It the "Baby Blues" or Postpartum Depression?

"Baby blues" are very common for new mothers, usually starting within a week of giving birth and lasting up to two or three weeks. Postpartum depression, however, can last longer and even worsen throughout the year following your child's birth.

Learn the difference between the two with the symptoms listed below. And remember, we’re just a phone call away. So, please let us know if you’re not feeling your best. We’re here to care for you, your baby and your entire family.

“Baby blues” symptoms usually include:

• Anxiety
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Lack of concentration
• Sadness or weeping
• Unstable mood

Postpartum depression symptoms usually include:

• Difficulty making decisions
• Excessive worry or anxiety
• Feeling guilt, hopelessness or fatigue
• Feeling sad and overwhelmed
• Irritability or short temper
• Loss of interest or pleasure
• Physical symptoms without any apparent cause
• Significant changes in appetite or weight
• Sleep problems (either inability to sleep or sleeping too much)
  

Our hospitals in Hinsdale and Bolingbrook offer several online classes for expectant parents to prepare for the birth and care of their newborn:

• Prepared Childbirth Classes
• HypnoBirthing (Hinsdale hospital only)
• Breastfeeding (Hinsdale hospital only)
• Baby Care Basics

Learn more about our Hinsdale hospital events and upcoming Bolingbrook hospital events. You can also stay up to date with our La Grange hospital events and our Glendale Heights hospital events.

Cribs for Kids® awarded our Bolingbrook and Hinsdale hospitals the National Gold Safe Sleep Hospital Certification, its highest designation.

Nine steps to help every baby sleep safer:

1. Always place your baby to sleep on their back on a firm sleep surface.
2. Never dress your baby too warmly for sleep; keep the room temperature comfortable for an adult.
3. Dress your baby to sleep in a one-piece sleeper or wearable blanket instead of loose blankets.
4. Share the room, not the bed. Your baby should only sleep in a crib, bassinet or portable play yard.
5. Remove all soft bedding, bumpers and toys from your baby's sleep area. Use only a tight-fitted sheet.
6. Do not expose your baby to smoke of any kind. Remember, cigarette and other smoke can linger on clothing.
7. Visit your baby's pediatrician regularly and stay current on your baby's vaccinations.
8. Breastfeed, if possible. Breastfeeding lowers your baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by 50%.
9. Offer a pacifier when putting your baby to sleep. If breastfeeding, offer a pacifier after the first month.
   

Truth: Most new mothers’ breasts will start producing milk, rich in protein and antibodies your baby needs, two to five days following childbirth — regardless of whether they’re at the hospital or home. The hospital is a great place to start breastfeeding because you’re surrounded by experts who can show you important techniques to help keep your baby nourished and safe.

Truth: Babies should always be allowed to feed as frequently as they want. When babies feed more often than average, it’s rarely because the mother fails to produce enough milk. Feeding frequently actually signals the mother’s body to produce more milk.

Truth: We recommend letting your baby set the pace when it comes to breastfeeding. This will help your body optimize its milk supply, which can improve breast milk quality.

Truth: The more often you breastfeed, the more milk you’ll produce. That’s because your body can sense when your breasts are running low on milk and works harder to replace it as fast as possible.

Truth: This can be true for babies. Newborns, however, still need time to learn how to suckle, and it may take longer. In either case, you should continue feeding until your baby shows signs that they are relaxed and full.

Truth: This is usually true, but not always. Newborns, for example, may need to be woken up so they can eat at least eight times a day. Babies are usually sleepy during the day and do their best feeding at night.