Delivering at Evanston Hospital

I know it may be late...but I had my midwife, Debi Lesnick (she's associated there and is part of a private practice comprised of 2 midwives and 4? OBGYNs). I thought everyone was great, and even the food was good! I had two dinners lol.
All the best to you!

Hi C.,

Congratulations on your third baby!

I have not yet delivered a baby at Evanston Hospital. My first child was actually born at Rush for we live in downtown Chicago and I had a great experience there. I work at Evanston Hospital and am moving closer to work in a few months. My second baby will be born there. From my interactions with the staff it has always been positive. Good Luck to you!

S.

I had my second son at Evanston (first at Northwestern). It's not as comfortable -- meaning fancy -- as Northwestern, but we felt that we had a good experience. There's not a lot of bells and whistles to the rooms, at least 4 years ago, but the staff was great and really caring.

I delivered at Evanston Hospital and found the nurses very responsive and caring. When I arrived in the delivery room, they were ready to attend to me -- immediately calling for an epidural when I requested it (and even ensuring that the residents hadn't screwed things up). At the end of my stay, they made sure that I filled my diaper bag with hospital supplied goodies.

Hi, both of my children were delivered at Evanston, and both were high risk pregnancies and deliveries. I found the staff to be exellent, balancing my needs with the needs of the baby very well. The nursing staff was great, and I really felt taken care of. Hope that helps. Congrats and good luck!

Hi Connie,

Nurses vary, of course, but I find Evanston Hospital's are very good overall. I delivered last year. What may impact your experience more is the residents. A new crop starts every July (at any teaching hospital, so you can't avoid that.) Their inexperience can make a difference.

Evanston has a "level III" nursery ie NICU and a high-risk OB unit, so a repeat c-section can be handled with care.

They renovated the hospital like 2 years ago. The delivery rooms are spacious. They have hardwood floors, nice tvs, wireless internet, etc.

I should disclose that I work there. I live in the city, and I chose Evanston over Prentice/Northwestern.

Hope this helps.

Hi there--Congratulations on what sounds like your third child! I had my first at Evanston Northwestern four years ago. The nursing staff post-delivery was really great, communicative and helpful, which was especially needed since it was my first time. In retrospect, I can look back and know that I got some very bad breastfeeding guidance from the LC (I am now breastfeeding my third babe). I wish I could remember her name, but she actively undermined my confidence and actually encouraged formula! I would say skip the hospital LCs and contact your local La Leche League leader is there are any breastfeeding issues.

Evanston Hospital has all the levels of care necessary for baby and for mom, and was a great place for me to have both of my c-sections. I definitely received good nursing care there.

I've delivered my 2...and have numerous friends who have delivered at Evanston-
no one has had a negative experience! It is an excellent hospital!

C.,
I delivered at Evanston Northshore 6 months ago, and ended up with a c-section. This was my first baby so I don't have comparisons to draw on, but I was VERY happy with the care I received. I'd say that 95% of the staff I interacted with were excellent. (Had a couple of women in recovery after surgery who I wasn't impressed with, they struggled to redo my IV for me to get my pain meds, but I was still swollen from natural labor dehydration, and that had been an issue since I got to the hospital, so if you are starting out with a c-section it shouldn't be a problem. My veins were hiding!)
Since I had the c-section I stayed the week in the hospital and the nurses were WONDERFUL. In particular I remember Pai and Jessica - they were an excellent resource when I had medical or care questions, and baby questions, and beyond that, had such amazing bedside manners. I truly felt cared for as an individual and new mother. I missed them when I left! The lactation consultants and care were wonderful too - although since this is your 3rd LO you're probably all sorted there :). Even after a rough start to breastfeeding (my baby was in the ISCU for 2 days, where he received excellent care) the LC's help and the nurses' help was invaluable, and I have exclusively breastfed since my son's day 2 of life. They very actively encouraged breastfeeding - I don't know about years ago and their policy re formula, but I would say from my experience 6 months ago that they are extremely supportive of breastfeeding, and lactation consultants visited me every day without my even specifically requesting them. My baby had an IV and a little bit of formula in the ISCU, as well as a pacifier (all of which I would not have preferred if I'd had him with him from moment one) but since he was under an oxygen tent and I wasn't able to pump immediately, those were the only options. The LC's and nurses really helped me get past this and facilitated as best they could our BF'ing relationship as soon as he was with me in my room.
I have no idea about Elmhurst but wouldn't hesitate to recommend Evanston to you. I've also had a few friends who delivered at Evanston and were very happy with their experiences there.
Good luck to you!