Any experience with delivery at UIC?

punkrockabye

I posted this over at BBC and then I realized that I should go ahead and drop it here as well!

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience delivering at or even just touring UIC Hospital. We will start TTC our first starting in October, and due to a sliiight chance that I have the blood clotting disorder that took my mom's life, I will be considered high risk. Last week I met with an great MFM doctor at UIC (Dr. Wilkins) just to consult and see what she would suggest. I really loved my interaction with her so I look forward to working with her when he time comes (I am opting for preventative treatment with heparin/Lovenox).

Anyway, working with this doctor means that, clearly, I will be delivering at UIC. All I am really familiar with in Chicago is Prentice, and even then, I only know about what others have said on the internet! I'm assuming UIC isn't the "baby delivery resort" that Prentice seems to be. ha. However, I love that my doctor was very pleased to know that if at all possible, I want to have a totally natural, uninduced, med-free birth. She said that's ideal in her mind, as well. I was told that there are several birthing tubs, even, and a staff of 17 midwives that I can turn to if my pregnancy goes without major complications. They allow rooming-in with baby as long as there are no problems, and god forbid that there are, they have a level 3 NICU.

I am up in Edgewater and I think Swedish Covenant is closest to me, but they don't seem quite as equipped to handle sudden severe complications. Also, the fact that this doctor is at UIC is a deal breaker! I got a referral for her from a doctor I referred myself to; I wanted more in-depth tests and discussion about what my mom had, and UIC has a doctor who basically specializes in the disorder. Meeting with him was absolutely refreshing and he wanted to refer me to a high risk OB because he supported my desire for preventative treatment with blood thinners.

Does anyone have any personal experience, or even know of a friend who may have shared her experiences? I can't seem to find much in the way of moms who have delivered there, because Prentice does seem to have a birthing monopoly in the city. ha.

JJ1973

I have a friend/coworker who delivered at UIC and had a positive experience. You are correct in that it is unlike Prentice (less cushy/new) but overall, she felt very good about her experience. Her baby was two weeks premature so she had to deal with the NICU, as well.