The Irvin & Margaret Houck Family Birthplace - we love to make a difference.
...a happy beginning for your love story
It’s a time of many emotions. A mother’s powerful love, the warm love of family and friends, the supportive, nurturing love of the staff at The Irvin & Margaret Houck Family Birthplace. Our commitment to making the birth experience as comfortable and joyous as possible comes from our deep reverence for life and family. We never take the miracle of birth for granted. Each and every mother is special, each baby a blessing. As a result, our approach to your delivery is highly personalized.
All of us – the physicians, midwives, nurses and support staff – will do whatever we can to ensure a healthy delivery.
Throughout your stay, we will respect the special needs and wishes of you and your family.
Thank you for considering the Irvin & Margaret Houck Family Birthplace at West Suburban Medical Center. We’re not just about babies. We’re about families.
Comfort and joy, skill and caring
It’s perfectly normal to be a little anxious about delivery. Our job is to minimize risk and maximize comfort so you can concentrate on what’s important. Our private labor, delivery and recovery suites help you do just that. After delivery you can bond with your baby in one of our postpartum rooms, which reduces stress and enhances the experience.
Natural childbirth options
Many women prefer natural childbirth in the company of family - that’s why we also offer The Alternative Birthing Center. Here, women have a variety of choices to manage their delivery – including water for labor and birth. You are surrounded in a home-like setting with a queen-size bed for family bonding, along with many amenities, like a television, refrigerator and microwave, to make everyone feel more at ease.
Comprehensive care
You’ll also take comfort in the level of care and skill you’ll find here. At The Irvin & Margaret Houck Family Birthplace, you’ll find certified nurse midwives, nurses with additional training in delivering babies and providing prenatal and postpartum care. We also provide comprehensive care with 24-hour obstetrician, anesthesiology and neonatology coverage, supported by additional neonatal staff and expertise from Children’s Memorial Hospital. For those mothers who need extra help, or for newborns that require special care, we have a fully staffed and equipped nursery that provides round-the-clock support.
Kind and supportive nurses to turn to
You can also count on compassionate, knowledgeable nurses for mother-baby care. Many of our nurses have worked with The Irvin & Margaret Houck Family Birthplace for years. You’ll appreciate the continuity of having the same nurses throughout your stay. Whether you have a question or just want a hand to hold, you’ll always have someone kind and supportive to turn to.
Support, guidance and the very best start
The birth experience is so much more than having a baby...
It’s about being aware and prepared in advance.
It’s about knowing how to cope with variables as they arise. It’s about going home and beginning a new chapter in your life with confidence.
We’re here for you before, during and after. To begin, you can choose from our extensive line-up of prenatal classes, which cover mom’s health during pregnancy, birth preparation, alternative birthing orientation, newborn care and more. We also offer a range of classes and programs once you’re home to assist new families.
Education and support continue at the bedside
Our certified lactation counselor is on hand to offer assistance and answer questions about breastfeeding. Daily breastfeeding classes are held on the unit.
When you go home you may have questions and most likely some concerns. Not only do we offer the resources of West Suburban Medical Center-affiliated pediatricians and family practice physicians, but we’re also glad to answer your phone calls any time of the day or night.
It’s like having a very knowledgeable friend every step of the way.
Click here for a 2012 Prenatal Class Schedule