Where to Give Birth If I Live in Oak Park, IL?

I live in Oak Park as well, I utilized a midwife and delivered at West Sub. I had a great experience and in my case was very grateful that the hospital was so close. I didn't really know I was in labor and went to my weely apt and was sent directly to the hospital and delivered about 1.5 hours later, it was also nice that my apts were close to my house. The midwife practice was in Forest Park on Madison, so also close. As far as the hospital, I had a very positive experience, we did a water birth and that was the only hospital in the area that has that. My husband wasn't able to come to most of the appointments but he was able to come to some, which was nice.

My SIL delivered at Prentice and had a good experience there as well, and everything I heard their facilities are great.

Personally for me the doctor/midwife, who I would be seeing all throughout the pregnancy and the closeness were my priorities, I also didn't have a high risk pregnancy, so I didn't need to worry about that.
Congratulations and good luck with whatever choice you may make.

S.

My family also lives in Oak Park and we just gave birth to our 2nd child at Prentice. I personally had a great experience there and even though my husband wasn't at every appointment, he was able to attend the big ones. I also know people who have delivered at West Sub and had a great delivery as well as Loyola.

I live in Oak Park and gave birth at Prentice and was so happy I did. The idea that all hospitals are good and which one you pick doesn't matter, as someone posted, is ridiculous. Of course some are better than others. A larger teaching hospital is going to be better equipped to handle emergencies than a small regional one. And let's face it, you have no idea if your pregnancy/birth is going turn out to be complicated until it happens. I had a normal pregnancy until week 32 then I needed 2.5 weeks of hospital bed rest, then had a premature baby in the NICU for 16 days. Everything about Prentice was first rate, the doctors, the nurses, the equipment, the NICU, the rooms, food (which is important when I was there everyday for month!) This was my second baby, the first one I had at a top rated hospital in NYC and this experience was sooooo much better. I really can't say enough about how great everything was, even the birth so very stressful.

The only downside was that it was a pain to go into the city for appointments. It took much longer, you have plan around rush hours pay $10 for parking. But if you already work in the city that may not be an issue. That being said, lot of oak park moms give birth at West Sub and seem happy with it.

Good luck with everything!! And Congrats!

Hi I.,

First - congrats on the expected bundle of joy!

A good number of the Drs at Northwestern have practices in the 'burbs. You can call the main Northwestern appt number and they will be able to search for a Dr who has a satellite office in Oak Park. The down side to that is that they will only be in your area one or two days each week - if you need to see them for a same day appt you would have to go downtown.

The alternative is that some of the Drs have later hours - some are there one or two days a week at the downtown office until 8. again - if you have to see them for an urgent appt, you would have to take whatever they can give you.

One thing I would do, though, is go on a tour of both the hospitals where your current Dr is on staff. See what YOU think.

Good Luck!

I am always amazed at these kinds of questions. What is it that you heard about these hospitals? I'd love to know. Unless you need a specialist for some sort of possible birth related problem that you know about I cannot imagine why the people who work in these hospitals can't be any more or less caring than anyone else. As for decor, cleanliness, equipment,etc. hospitals aren't motels, they are usually kept clean in the birthing area if not anywhere else and the people who are hired to work with you have been screened, interviewed, attended many of the same schools others have in other hospitals and are as quick witted and highly intelligent as others. If you have heard some bad things and live in the area or are in their network it would probably be helpful to let them know what you heard. Hospitals would like to know how to update and improve on their conditions just like anything else. And I'm not an employee of these hospitals just a mom who has seen the inside of a number of hospitals.Plus when I had both of my children I discovered with the last one, that his doctor wasn't able to get to the birth on time anyway. You see it is really all about the baby, not how many stars show up on a website. Congratulations and I hope enjoy your baby!

I actually switched from Prentice to West Suburban (at 7 1/2 mo.!). I used a midwife group and had an unmedicated, beautiful, natural water birth. I'm so glad I switched. Prentice has a very high epidural and cesarian rate. It depends on what kind of birth you want. Ask about the Alternative Birthing Center at West Suburban, I used the West Suburban Midwife Associates (the one with Gayle Riedmann, CNM). Prentice also has a high rate of interference with breastfeeding, quick to go to formula, sugar water and use the nursery separating the mother from her baby. At West Sub, I never was separated from my baby. Just because Prentice has the reputation of being a good hospital doesn't mean you will have a great birth experience.

I think it all depends on what you're looking for. Do you want a more natural, intervention-free labor and birth? Then I would definitely go with the midwives at West Sub. Are you ok with having a medicalized and highly managed labor and birth? Then Prentice is the place to be. I think you need to first figure out your beliefs and philosophy of birth. Based on that and any medical issues then you can start your research and make a decision. I recommend that you read "Thinking Woman's Guide to Childbirth" by Henri Goer (Henri is a woman, not a male author). There are resources that can help guide you through this very important step in your pregnancy - determining how you want to experience your birth. If you're interested PM me and I can send you add'l info. In any case, good luck!