Advocate Sherman Hospital (Elgin) [Midwife-attended birth]

At Advocate Sherman Hospital, we take pride in delivering babies with compassionate care and leading expertise. Each year, our award-winning Sherman Delivers program offers an exceptional experience for moms, newborns and their families. We are honored to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.

Trust your delivery to us:

• Skilled experts: Our multidisciplinary team includes top midwives, nurses, obstetricians, counselors and breastfeeding consultants. You’ll also have access to fetal cardiology specialists and maternal-fetal medicine doctors who handle high-risk pregnancies.
• Advanced nursery: Our birthing center includes an intermediate care nursery that has the necessary staff, services, equipment and record of excellence needed to treat high-risk infants appropriate for level II nursery care.
• Comfortable environment: Individual delivery rooms and postpartum suites with private bathrooms provide an optimal space for labor and recovery.

• suites with private bathrooms provide an optimal space for labor and recovery.”

What you can expect:

• Breastfeeding support before and after your pregnancy with classes, one-on-one assistance and outpatient services.
• Private delivery rooms and postpartum suites to welcome your family’s new addition in comfort.
• One nurse, your Baby’s First Friend, dedicated to caring for only you and your baby.
• A bassinet is provided for your baby to have a safe place to sleep at your bedside. It’s important for babies to sleep on their back in a safe sleep environment.
• Focus on bonding through skin-to-skin contact.
• No separation policy that keeps you and your baby together throughout your hospital stay, unless he or she requires specialized care.
• Daily nap time that promotes rest for healing and bonding.
• In-room assessments and screenings including hearing, cardiac testing and bloodwork.
• A baby security system using unique identification bands that monitor your baby’s location at all times, for peace of mind.”

Comprehensive breastfeeding support:

Advocate Sherman is a designated Baby-Friendly hospital – a worldwide breastfeeding quality improvement project created by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This means we provide breastfeeding guidance and support throughout pregnancy and beyond.

• Helping you prepare: Learn basic breastfeeding skills and how to avoid common problems. Partners or other support people are encouraged to attend. Classes are taught by an international board-certified lactation consultant. Register online now.
• During your stay: Our nurses, peer consultants and international board-certified lactation consultants are available to help you get started, answer any questions and address any complex issues.
• Support at home: Once you return home after your delivery, our outpatient breastfeeding center is available to you. You’ll also have access to a 24-hour Breastfeeding Warm Line and our donor milk depot (Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes). For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 224-783-8041.

Advanced services for complex issues

Should complications arise, specialty services available at our birthing center make us more than equipped to identify and treat high-risk mothers and babies.

• Intermediate care nursery: Our level II intermediate care nursery is equipped to treat high-risk newborns.
• State-of-the-art testing: We offer a wide range of testing options to monitor the health of mothers and babies throughout pregnancy. These include level II ultrasound, screening for abnormalities, fetal echocardiograms, first trimester/early down syndrome screening and genetic/fetal lung amniocentesis.
• Counseling: Our specialists are available at any time for preconception, genetic or diabetes counseling.