Hi, I gave birth to my last child in Germany, and though my OB/Gyn there was really up on all the latest medical stuff, she also had a "common sense" approach. I felt I got top quality medical care, and my delivery experience in Germany was complemented by a relaxed, natural approach in a hospital with top notch medical services (midwives deliver there routinely, each person gets a midwife/lactation consultant visit at home every day for the first 10 days postpartum, you stay in the hospital for 4-5 days after giving birth if you want). We're looking to have another baby in the next two years, and I'm new to Chicago, and don't know much about hospitals or doctors around here. I want somebody who practices between Lincoln Park and Edgewater, or on the Gold Coast where I work, and who is very competent, will be happy to use the latest medical technologies, but who won't be into overly medicating and would be patient about questions I might have.
Thanks for any advice you can offer!
Actually, in the end, I decided to transfer to Northwestern's midwife practice. I wasn't that impressed by being made to wait around to see a doctor when I found out I was pregnant at Swedish Covenant (I was having pains and thought it could be ectopic, and they wouldn't get me in for four weeks when I told them that -- they claimed it was "too early" to tell, which is just not true). I'm due in just 12 weeks, and excited about delivering with midwives at the new Prentice. So far the appointments have been, well, very clinical. the midwives themselves are wonderful, but I've felt like just another pregnant woman in a highly medicalized waiting room. What will make up my mind is how delivery and recovery go.
The midwives at Swedish Cov. are amazing! I had my daughter there and it was wonderful. Call the midwife office and ask them to recommend someone to you. I trust them completely.
This info was from the VP of Nursing at SCH. I know her well and she would obviously know the doctors well at SCH.
Drs. Brennan and Wos are really great. They have recently moved to SCH, but have been practicing a long time.
If she wants a midwife, we have a great group lead by Kathy Loebel. These midwives are covered by the above group of MDs.
Hi M.,
I recently delivered at Swedish and my son was 6 1/2 weeks premature. My doctor is also Maura Brennan, and I think she is the absolute best. I, like the previous poster, also have followed her around as she has moved practices over my last 9 years with her. My experience unlike the previous poster's was amazing at Swedish. I was in the hopital 4 days while they monitored my fluids before they decided they needed to induce, and then our son was in the NICU for 3 weeks after he was born. We have nothing but good things to say about Swedish, Dr. Brennan, and our experience with the delivery nurses and NICU nurses at the hospital (and we spent a lot of time there over a 3 week period!!). I know Dr. Brennan's practice has midwives in their office, and I believe the patients that use them can just set up appointments with them in the office. Dr. Brennan's number is ###-###-####
S.
I just delivered with the midwives at Swedish Covenant and had a great experience. I did not have any problems with the hospital - and since the other person did not give specifics, I am not sure if she had an isolated incident. My birth was natural - and I was able to use the jacuzzi tub during labor, and try several positions for the actual delivery.
Good Luck!
Hey M. - I know you are looking for a good delivery experience. I am currently going to the Nurse Midwife program at Illinois Masonic hospital & they have a great program! I have not delivered yet - but will in December. they can be contacted at ###-###-####.
I'm currently at Swedish Covenant and looking to change based on the quality of the hospital, lab and dr. availability.
I *like* my OB, but I just don't like the surroundings. It is at the point where I do not feel comfortable there. Take the hospital tour as everyone has different levels what bothers them. I just find any public bathroom to be gross when I need to use it there and so has my husband. On our tour, the bathroom he used had toilet paper all over the floor along with poop and blood on the seat. I couldn't believe it so went in to check it out. :( No one was around to tell how bad it was.
When I was in the lab giving urine sample, there was a potty collection seat on the bathroom floor and urine all over the floor because it tipped. I did not enjoy having to give my sample there, to say the least. I was less happy when there was no soap to wash my hands and even less happy when the lady at the desk didn't even make eye contact when I tried to tell her about the mess.
Blood work has to be done at the hospital lab downstairs and not in the doctor's office. Most waits are around 45 minutes to be called for the blood withdraw.
Another thing you should ask about is referrals. SCH only had the level of ultrasound for checking to see if there was a baby in me. I opted for Nuchal Translucency which had to be referred to ENH. I was fine with that as it is a special ultrasound. However, I had to wait 4 weeks to get the results from my doctor. This is crucial to know if you would want to consider termination based on the results. I was surprised to learn that I had to go to ENH for my 20 week (well in my case a few weeks later) ultrasound.
Again, I think the quality of the OB is great, the services of the hospital not so much. I know others have had very good experiences and it is pretty personal on what makes a person comfortable or irritated.
Good luck!
Edit: I do want to point out that they all private rooms (except for triage area), no shared and they keep your baby with you! :) So, if you have insurance that pays only for shared rooms if available, you will get your privacy, which rocks.
Edit 2: Doh! You already moved. I leave this in case someone else is weighing pros/cons of SCH.
There are midwives at Swedish.
West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park is what the other responder was talking about. FANTASTIC place. I was living in Edgewater when I had my 1st child there so it is not too far.
Evanston hospital is not too far from Edgewater
I had my first (and only, so far) baby at Northwestern with the midwives. I thought they were great, but NW was definitely not a "natural" place to give birth! I think the midwives there are pretty supportive of people who want to try a natural childbirth, but only 1/15 women from my natural childbirth class ended up having it that way! (I ended up with a scheduled C section because my baby was breech :( ) I've heard that Swedish Cov. midwives are great and I'm planning to go there for kid #2.
I know they have a birthing center at the hospital in Oak Park, too, so you may want to check into that. Can't remember the name.
My doc is Maura Brennan. I have used her for over 10 years and followed her from hospital to hospital. But I am sad to say that I was NOT happy with my experience at Swedish AT ALL and wish I would have switched early in my pregnancy. Granted, I had twins .. and had them early but I just don't feel that the hospital is very prepared nor has it's act together. My advice... just head to Northwestern.
Hi M.
I don't know too much about the area hospitals since I had both of my babies at home. If you'd like information about the homebirth practices in the area, I'd be glad to help.
I have heard good things about the midwives in Oak Park. As for Northwestern, they are not geared toward natural birth. I have heard that they have a 98% epidural rate.
Another consideration as you prepare your birth options is to hire a doula. A doula is trained to assist and support you and your partner in achieving the birth you desire. Research shows that the presence of a doula results in shorter labors, fewer medical interventions and happier parents.
Hope this helps and best of luck to you!
A.
