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Part 4 in my series narrating a bit about what it is like to give birth in different locations around Chicago. Evanston Hospital is near the top of my list of places to give birth. It used to be called Northshore Evanston until it was acquired by Endeavor Health. I like to just keep it simple and just say, "Evanston." I've got a soft spot for this one because my partner was born here and I've had a lot of really great experiences. That said, I never want to imply that there is one right place to give birth, because there isn't! Read on to learn more.
Part 1: Birth Center of Chicago
Part 2: Illinois Masonic
Evanston Experience
Getting to Evanston is fairly straightforward from the North and Northwest neighborhoods of Chicago, as well as the suburbs. I have had clients drive in from as far as Antioch. Luckily, babies are often born at night so traffic is slightly less of a concern. When you arrive you can park in the main hospital garage parking and walk about 5 minutes to the Women's Hospital entrance, or you can use the valet.
Once inside, you'll go to triage first and then into one of the rooms for L&D. Evanston just finished renovating their entire L&D floor in fall of 2024 so all of the rooms are as new and updated as they can get.
Midwives at Evanston
This NSAGO midwifery practice gets their own section, they are that good! Evanston has a long history of midwifery, and in my humble opinion, the midwives at Evanston are some of the very best you can find in any hospital. Each one brings a unique perspective and expertise. One of the midwives, Jordan Parnell, is fam (LGBTQ+) and also a former doula. Debbie has been around so long she knows the midwife who caught my partner. She's always running a little late because she takes her time with people. Mary just came over from a birth center and brings an out-of-hospital lens. I could go on and on...
The midwives spend time with their patients, regularly coming into the room just to sit and observe. They support VBAC, and even VBA2C. They catch babies in just about every position, which is rare for hospital midwives in my experience. And, the hospital was renovated recently to include birth tubs. I can tell you the midwives are stoked about the tubs!
Key Statistics & Information
OB and Midwifery-led care
3,500 births (midwives: 420)
Primary Cesarean Rate: 19%
Number of first time birth-givers who went on to have cesareans
Epidural rate: 82% (midwives: 76% planned unmedicated births)
Induction rate: 41.7%
50.7% of clients chose to have doula support
Waterbirth: not allowed BUT
9 tubs available for hydrotherapy in labor
VBAC: 39% (midwives: 90%)
NICU Perinatal Level III
Visitors: 2 people plus doula (3 total)
Siblings are allowed during family visiting hours, 4-6pm each day
Photographers are allowed
Eating and drinking is restricted during labor: clear liquids
Services & Amenities
One of the best perks of giving birth here is that they have tubs! Beautiful, large-enough-to-float-in tubs! Most of them are medium sized and then one is absolutely gigantic. In general, the midwives encourage hydrotherapy and that means that the nurses are comfortable with and used to people getting in both the tub and the shower. Heads up that this means you'll likely end up wearing a sad plastic contraption (usually an extra large glove taped up) to keep your IV port dry.
The L&D floor also has a refreshment room that has coffee, tea, hot and cold water, the good hospital ice, and some juice. It is nice that you can go use the nourishment room yourself without having to ask your nurse each time you want ice. Unfortunately, the guest bathroom is all the way in the lobby waiting area.
Next Steps
If you are interested in a birth at Evanston, I highly recommend that you schedule an appointment with the providers there. I am partial to NSAGO, but I really also have enjoyed working with Dr. Mary Conte, Dr. Isa Ryan, and Dr. Jill Hoprasart. You can always reach out to talk more about it with me.
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