Preparing for Labor & Delivery
A team of obstetricians and experienced labor and delivery nurses are on alert to help at any time. In fact, there's an OB/GYN in-house 24 hours a day/7 days a week. The moment you arrive, you’ll be "partnered" with a specially trained obstetrical nurse certified in electronic fetal monitoring who’ll assist you through delivery.
Our unit also features mother/baby couplet care, which means that the same experienced nurse will care for you and baby until it's time to go home. This ensures comfort, continuity in care and improved communication between you, your family and your care team. If you plan to breastfeed, we have several certified lactation consultants available to support you while you're here and after you return home.
We also offer a variety of pain relief methods including breathing techniques, medications and epidurals provided by an anesthesiologist available in-house 24 hours a day.
LEVEL 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Pregnancies range from the routine to the delicate, and our highly trained staff is ready to take care of any problems that may arise. In addition to a typical nursery, the Birthing Center at Silver Cross has Will County's only Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This means that our staff is specially trained to care for babies born before 30 weeks gestational age; and babies born with birth defects, infections, breathing difficulties or other high-risk conditions. We partner with the experts from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.
Neonatal/Pediatric Specialists
In addition to our superb nursing staff, Silver Cross Hospital has partnered with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago to ensure that a specially trained neonatologist or pediatric hospitalist is onsite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Having a doctor from Children’s present is a benefit since they can provide expert specialty care to newborns that may otherwise need to be transported to Chicago or a specialty center outside the community. And if your baby needs follow-up specialist care, Lurie Children's outpatient clinic is conveniently located in Pavilion A, which is connected to the hospital.
Cesarean Suite
While the birthing suites are fully equipped for labor, delivery, and recovery, some deliveries require surgery. And that’s why we have three complete cesarean suites in our Birthing Center.
Telemedicine
Another feature offered by the Silver Cross Birthing Center is Baby Care Connect PDF and Baby Care Connect-Spanish PDF which is a telemedicine program in conjunction with the Lurie Children's cardiologists. Telemedicine is a cutting edge diagnostic tool that allows pediatric cardiology specialists to analyze a baby’s echocardiogram in real time through a video linkage with Silver Cross.
Benefits of Skin-to-Skin & the Golden Hour
Helps baby adjust to life outside the womb:
- better temperature regulation
- stable heart rate
- stable respiratory rate
- stable blood sugar
- reduced crying
- reduced pain perception
- decreased stress\enhanced brain development
Good for moms, too:
- decreased stress
- improved interactions with baby
- enhanced attachment
- enhanced sensitivity and responsiveness
At Silver Cross Hospital, we encourage parents to honor the Golden Hour.
The Golden Hour is the first hour of life of the newborn. During this hour babies are very alert. They are actively looking at and listening to their mother.
The Golden Hour allows for uninterrupted bonding between the parents and their new baby.
Consider telling your family and friends that you will be observing the golden hour with your baby.
In the FIRST HOUR
- Babies are very alert
- Babies search for mom’s face and listen to mom’s voice
- Accomplish the first breastfeeding
SHHHHH! Family Rest Time
Rooms 3101–3115 • 3201–3215
2-4 P.M. Daily
What does this mean?
• Quiet time
• Lights go down
• Baby stays with mother if she wishes creating
enhanced and relaxing feeding opportunities
• All family needs are met before rest time begins
Why have Family Rest Time?
Family Rest Time offers moms and babies alike a time to rest and renew each day without interruptions. Nursing staff is always available. Research shows that rested families handle their new families with more ease—so it’s healthy for all!
