Obstetrics care in Chicago

As a designated Baby-Friendly hospital, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center offers the highest level of prenatal and postnatal care by board-certified obstetricians, perinatologists, neonatologists and certified nurse-midwives. We’ve also been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Hospital for Maternity Care.

World-class Chicago birth center

At our birthing center, our labor and delivery team provides personalized childbirth care in our state-of-the-art birthing suites. Whether your birth is considered routine or high-risk, we have the expertise and technology necessary to keep you and your baby safe and healthy.

Trust your pregnancy to us:

• Award-winning care: We’re designated as Baby-Friendly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). We’re also nationally recognized as a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence.
• Modernized maternity rooms and well-baby nursery: We provide 24-hour customized care throughout your labor and recovery to deliver everything moms and new babies need.
• Breastfeeding resources: We offer lactation consultants, virtual breastfeeding classes at the push of a button and more to help you with breastfeeding. We also offer a donor milk program for families who need it.
• Midwifery services: Our team of certified nurse midwives offers the highest level of support before, during and after delivery. Midwives are licensed health care providers educated in midwifery and nursing and have passed a board exam. They work with your OB-GYN to ensure the best and safest care possible.
• Level III NICU: Our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has a level III designation and private suites, so your baby will be well cared for.

What is a birth center?

A birth center is a private, home-like health care setting centered on a more natural birth experience. For healthy, low-risk pregnant women, birth centers offer minimal medical intervention during childbirth.

Why choose the Advocate IMMC birthing center?

At the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center birthing center, we support all types of birthing experiences and have been named an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign. Our accredited Healthy Families program also provides teen mothers with education and support.

Our family-centered approach – combined with our reputation for excellent pregnancy and childbirth care – gives parents confidence and peace of mind during their birthing experience and postpartum care.

Looking for Spanish-language women’s health services? Learn how we can support you.

What's it like giving birth in a birthing center?

Our comfortable, state-of-the-art labor and delivery rooms are equipped with sleeper sofas for spouses and support partners, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Regardless of your birth plan, we want you and your family to experience a calm, home-like setting.

What you can expect:

• Breastfeeding support is offered before and after your pregnancy with one-on-one assistance, on-demand access to breastfeeding classes plus outpatient services.
• Modern, private delivery rooms and postpartum suites mean you’ll welcome your baby in comfort and can focus on bonding through skin-to-skin contact.
• Customizable birthing environments feature custom lighting, aromatherapy and more.
• One nurse, your Baby's First Friend, is 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 backs in a safe sleep environment.
• Our no-separation policy keeps you and your baby together throughout your hospital stay, unless your baby requires specialized care.
• Daily nap time promotes rest for healing and bonding for mother and baby.
• In-room assessments and screenings include hearing, cardiac testing and bloodwork.
• Your baby’s location is monitored at all times via unique identification bands.

We offer you and your family a calm, home-like setting for your birthing experience. Our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has a level III designation, so you can rest assured your baby will be well cared for in any event.

How long do you usually stay at a birthing center after giving birth?

The length of stay varies with each birth. Vaginal deliveries typically result in discharge within 24-48 hours, while C-section deliveries need 48-72 hours for recovery monitoring.

Family-centered birthing center

We support all types of birthing experiences and have been named an LGBT Healthcare Leader by the Human Rights Campaign. Our accredited Healthy Families program also provides teen mothers with education and support.

Midwifery services

Midwives support a natural birthing experience. Many families choose a midwife when they want a nonmedicated birth.

As part of the oldest nurse midwifery program in Chicago and one of the city's largest, our midwives work with our obstetricians to provide complete prenatal, labor, postpartum and well-woman care.

A certified nurse midwife can prescribe medications, order tests and provide treatment to expecting mothers. They cannot perform C-sections or surgeries. Learn more about midwifery services at Advocate Health Care.

Advanced services for complex issues

As an advanced perinatal center, we’re equipped to provide the care moms and babies need when facing a high-risk pregnancy or complications. Some of the leading-edge services we provide include:

• Antenatal Resource Center: To ensure your baby gets timely care, our ARC experts can identify potential issues before your due date by providing such services as:
  • Early pregnancy evaluation
  • Genetic blood screening
  • Targeted ultrasound for unusual test results
  • Prenatal diagnosis (genetic testing, counseling, heart health, amniocentesis)
  • Baby’s development assessment and imaging
  • Fetal echocardiography (baby’s heart rhythm)
• Perinatal surveillance unit: For mothers who require hospitalization before or after labor and delivery
• High-risk obstetrical suites: Specially designed to handle multiple births, caesarean deliveries and birth complications
• Board-certified neonatologists: On site 24/7 in our level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the highest level of treatment available in Illinois for critically ill and premature babies
• High-risk infant follow-up care: Monitoring and care for infants with developmental or neurological issues

Birthing center classes & resources

We offer a variety of classes and resources that can be helpful to you and your family during your pregnancy and your newborn's first months.

Register for a class

For new or experienced parents, our programs offer the education you need to keep you and your child healthy. Take a live virtual class or self-led online class from the comfort of your own home. Virtual classes are taught live by an Advocate Health Care registered nurse educator. We recommend you begin classes early in your third trimester, but they may be taken anytime. Family or other caregivers are also welcome to enroll. Register online now.

Where to find an Advocate Health birthing center near you

Our perinatal services are close to home for residents of:

Find an obstetrician near you