Midwifery
At Edward-Elmhurst Health, we respect your personal choices, and believe in giving you options for your birthing experience. One of these options includes midwifery — offered exclusively at Elmhurst Hospital. Our team of nurse midwives provides personalized care and expertise in a welcoming environment that fosters safety, mutual understanding and respect.
What is a nurse midwife?
While traditionally "midwifery” means “with woman," we serve all patients with gynecological and prenatal needs. Our nurse midwives are advanced practice nurses (APNs) who are nationally certified and licensed by the state of Illinois. They are specialists in low-risk pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and gynecologic care. Our midwives also help care for newborns and assist new parents with breastfeeding.
Why choose a nurse midwife?
Choosing a midwife for pregnancy and childbirth is a very personal decision. Our nurse midwives support choice in birth, so you can take control of your birthing experience, instead of letting the experience happen to you. Count on your midwife to support your choices, cultural preferences and unique needs. The result: an empowering experience with personalized care at its center.
Our nurse midwives offer compassionate and holistic care to low-risk pregnant individuals and delivers babies exclusively at Elmhurst Hospital. We also provide preventive healthcare and gynecology services for patients in all stages of life, from adolescence to menopause and beyond. Our offices are located in Elmhurst, N. Elmhurst, Lombard, Oak Park and Woodridge. For more information, call 331-221-9009.
Learn more about Endeavor Health Medical Group
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Midwife services we offer
Your midwife will care for you during all stages of pregnancy and childbirth. At Elmhurst Hospital, we support a natural, personalized experience with alternative comfort measures, such as hydrotherapy and warm water immersion for pain management in labor (should you choose this approach).
Additionally, Elmhurst Hospital is the first in DuPage County to offer nitrous oxide as a pain relief option for women in labor, and it has been adopted by both the hospital’s OB-GYNs and the nurse midwives. Unlike systemic drugs that can cause unwanted effects, nitrous oxide (a tasteless, odorless gas inhaled through a mask) is considered safe to use during labor and can be beneficial for both pain relief and anxiety relief. It also has a quick onset and quickly exits both the mother’s and baby’s system.
While caring for expectant parents is an important focus, our midwives also offer well-care services for patients at all stages of life. Our midwives provide a range of services, including:
- Annual exams/gynecology services, including Pap smear, HPV testing, infection testing/treatment, colposcopies
- Breast examination/mammography referral
- Family planning (including a variety of birth control methods) and preconception counseling
- Comprehensive prenatal care
- Testing, ultrasound and childbirth preparation, including alternative medicine options and referral
- Birth care - Continuous support during active labor
- Alternative comfort measures and pain relief during labor (e.g., hydrotherapy/warm water immersion for labor)
- VBAC supportive environment, for individuals with previous Cesarean sections who would like to try labor (warm water immersion offered for those meeting specific criteria)
- Breastfeeding support
- Menopausal care
- Inclusive and affirming care for LGBTQ+ patients
The health of you and your baby are of the utmost importance. Should complications arise, your midwife will work with a board certified obstetrician and the rest of your birthing team to ensure you and your baby are safe and healthy throughout the delivery process.
Who are candidates for midwifery?
Your doctor and/or a midwife will assess your individual situation to determine if you’re a good candidate for midwifery. While most patients are good candidates for midwifery, some aren’t. Those who have diabetes, heart conditions, are prone to seizures, or have other high-risk factors are not appropriate for midwifery care during pregnancy and childbirth.