ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN

One of the most exciting and special times in a woman’s life is when you learn that you are pregnant and going to have a baby.  It may also be a time that you feel a little frightened, confused or anxious, especially if you are a young mother. That’s why the highly-trained obstetrical staff at Jackson Park Hospital is here to help you during this life changing experience.

Upon learning of your pregnancy, it is never too early for you to seek medical care from an obstetrician.  In addition to providing medical referrals to obstetricians, we offer a unique prenatal program that provides quality education on a wide variety of topics, including: fetal development, nutrition, exercise, breast health, emotional well being, preparation for birth, and baby care.

PRENATAL PROGRAM

The goal of our prenatal program is to provide you with the education you need in an effort to: decrease the incidence of low- birth weight; improve the outcome of every pregnancy; and give every baby a healthy start in life. Our commitment to you is to provide you with the support you need to enhance your successful pregnancy and the delivery of a healthy child.

DOULA

As part of our program, we offer expecting mothers the advantage of having a Doula, or birth assistant, who provides personalized attention to you and your partner. While the Doula does not provide medical assessments, advice or treatment, they provide emotional support to you and your partner and create a positive atmosphere of teamwork in ensuring you have the best birthing experience possible.

A Doula is a certified birthing assistant that recognizes:

• Birth as a key life experience that the mother will remember all her life
• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
• Assists the woman  in preparing for and carrying out the plans for birth
• Stays by the side of the laboring woman throughout the entire labor
• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures, and an objective viewpoint
• Assists in getting the information needed to make good decisions
• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and clinical care providers
• Perceives her role as being one who nurtures and protects the woman’s memory of her birth experience

Having a Doula has shown to have the following benefits:

• Promoting self-esteem in the mother
• Increased satisfaction with your birthing experience
• Reduction in cesarean births
• Reduction in interventions, such as epidurals, forceps, episiotomies
• Shortening of overall labor
• Enhancing the partner’s role
• Increased communication with caregivers of your needs
• Increased rates of breastfeeding
• Decreased postpartum depression

During your labor and delivery, your Doula is there assisting you with relaxing, breathing, massaging, verbal encouragement and other comfort measures.  As your personal birthing representative, your Doula is there with you throughout your entire labor providing you with encouragement and support.  For more information on having a Doula for your birthing experience, call (773) 947-7710.        

LABOR, DELIVERY & POSTPARTUM ROOMS

The Labor and Delivery room, where you will have your baby, provides a peaceful setting and has the latest in technology that is needed for a safe, comfortable delivery. Knowing that for delivery, some women prefer a natural experience while others may choose pain medication and anesthesia, our nurses work with you and your doctor to accommodate your wishes. JPH offers the latest anesthesia options with a dedicated on-site anesthesia team available 24/7. Our highly-trained and skilled team of physicians and nurses will provide you with information and be there to support you in your decision.

After your baby's birth, you will transition to a private postpartum room in order to bond personally with your baby and to experience the joy of your newborn with your family members.  During the remainder of your hospital stay, our staff continues to help you make decisions that are best for you and your baby. Our goal is to help you become comfortable as a new family.

NURSERY

In addition to our well baby nursery that is available for mom’s to get their rest, JPH also has a Level II nursery for premature and certain special needs babies. Our team of neonatologists, nurses and specialists are highly-trained and utilize the latest in technology, high tech monitoring and provide specialized care as necessary.  In the event your baby is a critical needs baby, requiring a higher level of care than is provided in our Level II nursery, arrangements will be made to transfer your baby to a facility that can accommodate this higher level of service.

INFORMATION

If you have any questions regarding our services or would like to meet our staff and tour our facility, please call our Clinical Director at (773) 947-7708.  We want you to know that we are committed to helping you with this major life change and taking special care of you and your baby.