Obstetrics Education

The Women’s Group of Northwestern is a group practice.  Our providers have varied schedules. There are days they are in the office, days they are at the hospital for deliveries, as well as days off. The advantage of a group practice is that we create an opportunity and encourage you to schedule your regular prenatal visits with multiple providers so that you will be familiar with other providers should your primary care provider not be on-call when you go into labor and deliver your baby. Additionally, we have an excellent team of nurse practitioners and physician assistants who are well versed in general obstetrics to see you for routine or problem visits in order to accommodate all of our patient’s scheduling needs. Our entire team is dedicated to you and your baby.

COVID-19 vaccine booster

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant and recently pregnant people up to 6 weeks postpartum receive the new bivalent omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine booster, as pregnant individuals are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection Researchers have identified that the vaccine is 99% effective at preventing hospitalization. Data shows that COVID-19 vaccines are both safe and effective when administered during pregnancy. We at The Women’s Group of Northwestern strongly encourage our pregnant patients to be vaccinated and boosted, including with the new bivalent omicron-specific booster.

FEATURED CONTENT – CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant Women 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued recommendations on the vaccination of pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant.

As of September 29th the CDC and the Illinois department of public health are urging pregnant women to be vaccinated against Covid 19, see the link below:

Link to Article

Obstetrical Patients with Covid Symptoms

We recommend a telehealth visit and appropriately timed pcr testing for our pregnant patients with covid symptoms or covid exposure because the diagnosis of covid in pregnancy presents extra risks to the mother, the pregnancy and fetus. There are treatments and preventative measures that we would discuss at the visit. Even if you have done a telehealth visit previously, because covid information is continually evolving, we recommend a brief t/h visit to update you on any new information. Even mild symptoms may represent covid and a pcr test is more sensitive than a home or rapid test at detecting covid.

Best Hospitals for Maternity

U.S. News & World Report has begun collecting data from hospitals nationwide for its inaugural edition of Best Hospitals for Maternity, which will be published in the fall of 2021.  Here is a link to the article.  As you can see, our NMH-Prentice stands out among this distinguished group by demonstrating some of the top metrics.

As an Honor Roll hospital, NMH had been asked to participate in the pilot survey, and submitted data on four measures:

  1. Cesarean birth rate in low-risk women
  2. Rate of exclusive breast milk feeding
  3. Unexpected complications rate in term newborns
  4. Support vaginal birth after Cesarean (yes/no)

Prenatal Visits and Appointments:

Prenatal visits will be scheduled as follows:

OB Schedule (updated)

Prenatal Visits  Weeks
NOB  8-12 weeks
Genetics  12
16 week appointment  16
20 week appt (ULTRASOUND & Visit) 20
24 weeks appt (1 hr GLUCOSE & OFFICE VISIT) *Must be at least 24 plus 1 day 24
28 week appt 26
30 week appt   30
32 week appt   32
34 week appt  34
36 Week appt 36
37 Week  appt 37
38 Week appt 38
39 Week appt 39
40 WEEK  (Ultrasound & OFFICE VISIT) 40
  •                Scheduled C-section: PLEASE Read below “Preparing for your scheduled C-Section“, prior to your surgery, it contains important information.

If your pregnancy is more complicated, more frequent visits may be necessary. It is advisable to make two to three appointments in advance.

Scheduled Cesarean Delivery:

In years past, once a woman had a cesarean delivery, it was expected that all subsequent deliveries would also be by cesarean delivery.  It is now felt that some women who have had a C-Section may be able to safely delivery vaginally.  If you have had a prior C-Section, you will discuss the pros and cons with your physician and together decide which route of delivery is best for you

Moderna, Pfizer vaccines shown safe and effective in pregnant & lactating women, click on the link below to read the article:

Preparing for your scheduled C-Section:

Pre-registration with the hospital should be completed as early as possible in your pregnancy. Your C-Section could be put onto your physician’s schedule as soon as your first OB visit.  However, your C-section cannot be scheduled until you are registered with the hospital for this delivery.  Hospital Registration: Labor and Delivery: 312.472.3610 Link to registration – If your due date is within the next 90 days please fax your pre-registration forms to 312-472-0127. If your due date is greater than 90 days please fax your pre-registration forms to 312-472-3505

Three days before your surgery:

  • Check with your physician about the use of any daily medications you take to see if you should stop them prior to your surgery.

One day before surgery:

  • Complete any lab tests ordered by your doctor.  You may be required to go to the hospital the day before your scheduled C-Section to have blood drawn (a type and screen) if you are Rh negative, have placenta previa or have had a prior myomectomy.  If you are unsure if this is necessary for you, please ask at your next office visit.  Failure to complete this could result in your C-Section getting delayed or cancelled.
  • A labor and delivery nurse may call to confirm your arrival time and answer any questions.

The day of surgery:

  • Do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours before your scheduled surgery time.  This includes gum, hard candy and water.  If you eat or drink during this time, your surgery time will be delayed or cancelled.
  • Arrive 2 hours prior to your scheduled surgery time and check in at Prentice Women’s Hospital L&D Triage Unit on the first floor.

What to bring to the Hospital:

  • Leave all valuables at home, including jewelry, credit cards and money
  • List of all allergies
  • List of all medications
  • Photo ID
  • Insurance card
  • Camera – your partner may bring a camera, but no pictures may be taken during the actual birth

Please review the C-section document below from Northwestern to review more details about what to expect during and after your scheduled C-Section.

Cesarean Delivery: Enhanced Recovery Pathway Plan

 

Induction Pass:

 

COVID 19, pregnancy and Breastfeeding VIDEO (link below: 

 

Helpful Information for Obstetrical Patients of The Women’s Group of Northwestern:

NM Hospital Registration: Labor and Delivery: 312.472.3610 Link to registration – If your due date is within the next 90 days please fax your pre-registration forms to 312-472-0127. If your due date is greater than 90 days please fax your pre-registration forms to 312-472-3505

NM Anesthesia Consultation: 312.695.2500

NM Fetal ECHO: 312.472.4156

NM – Prentice Ultrasound: 312.926.7657

NM – Galter Ultrasound: 312.695.8095

NM – Northwestern Lake Forest Ultrasound and NST: 312.694.8973

NM – NST: 312.926.7000, Select option #4

The Women’s Group of Northwestern Prenatal class (Making room for baby!)  – Visit Webpage

NM – Prenatal classes: 877.926.4664  Visit Website We recommend that all new parents take the Great Expectations, Infant CPR, Newborn Care and Pediatric Care classes. The best time to call and sign up for classes is at 20 weeks.

NM – Billing/Financial Questions: If you have questions regarding your hospital medical bill(s) or would like to talk with a financial counselor, please call the Financial Counseling Department at 312.926.6906.

NM – Medical Records: If you would like to obtain copies of your baby’s medical chart or part of it, please contact the hospital Medical Records at 312.926.3375

Cord Blood and Tissue:

Your baby’s cord blood has stem cells in it which can be used to treat a number of different blood diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, other blood cancers, inherited anemias, bone marrow failure after chemotherapy.  The chance of your baby developing one of these diseases is 1/700 in their lifetime (if there is no history of these diseases in your family).  There is also research on many other diseases that may someday be treated with stem cells; these areas of research include diabetes, Alzheimer’s, stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and many others.

Family Banking:  Via Cord

www.viacord.com

866.835.0968

Family Banking:  Cord Blood Registry

www.cordblood.com

888.704.1925

CryoCell

www.cryo-cell.com

800.786.7235

 Postnatal Care:

After delivery and prior to leaving the hospital, you will schedule a follow-up appointment in our office.  For a vaginal delivery you will need to be seen 6 weeks post partum. After a cesarean section you will need a 2 week incision check and a 6 weeks post partum visit.

Prior to any visit, if you are experiencing unusual pain, bleeding, lactation issues, or feelings of depression, please call the office to schedule an earlier appointment.

The Women’s Group of Northwestern providers understand that having a baby is a big adjustment. Your  postnatal appointment allows us an opportunity to focus on your health as a new mother and make sure your health care needs are being met accordingly.

Post-partum instructions, click here

Depression:

Depression can occur during as well as after pregnancy.  Many women experience mood changes after their delivery.  This most commonly starts 2-3 days after delivery and usually goes away by 2 weeks.  Changing hormones, anxiety about caring for the baby, and lack of sleep all affect your emotions.  It is important to eat properly, get adequate sleep and reduce stress during this time to help with symptoms.  Sometimes the symptoms require treatment especially if mom is not bonding or enjoying her baby; unable to care for herself or the baby; feeling excessive sadness, depression or anxiety.  If you ever feel you may hurt yourself, the baby or someone else you should go to the emergency room right away.  If you or your partner has any concerns that you may be depressed, please contact us for evaluation.

Psychiatric/Psychologist:

After Delivery Educational Material:

 

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