We are very proud of our lovely new maternity department, but, more importantly, we understand that it’s more than a physical space that makes parents-to-be feel safe and secure. It’s a team effort at OSF Saint James. Our healthcare providers, including OB/GYN specialists, Family Practice Physicians and Pediatricians work together with our experienced obstetric nurses to provide you with excellent care throughout your pregnancy, during your birth experience, and afterward.

During your pregnancy, you will have many questions and even some apprehension about what’s happening to you, or how your baby is developing. Your healthcare provider is your best resource for answers to your questions. In addition, you may want to take advantage of the many class offerings and programs designed to give you all the important information about things like nutrition during pregnancy, or how to get a good start with breastfeeding. Our classes can help you find out such things as: ‘What’s it like to be pregnant’ or “How will I know if I’m in labor?” “What should I eat while I’m pregnant?” “Do we need a special car seat?” “How can I help my 3-year-old prepare for a baby brother or sister?” For information about our classes, you can call the Education Center at 815-842-4545, or click on classes, and view our entire listing. If you like, you can even sign up for a class through this website!

When it’s time for your baby to be born, you will feel right at home in one of our 4, beautiful LDRP rooms (labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum). Each room has natural wood floors, soft colors, and comfortable furnishings, yet is fully equipped for the birthing experience. There are 3 additional private rooms within the department, suitable for patients having pre-natal testing (NST’s), for observation, or those needing other types of obstetric or gynecologic care.

Our Newborn Nursery is close-by, just behind the nurses’ station, although you may want to have your baby room-in with you as much as you can. This gives you a wonderful opportunity to become acquainted with your little one, while you have the expertise of the nurses available as you learn to care for your baby. For moms who are breastfeeding, you’ll find a very supportive and knowledgeable staff of nurses and a dietitian, all experienced in lactation, ready to help.

Before you head for home, we’ll see to it that you have had the opportunity to have an approved infant car seat checked by our Certified Car Seat Technician. This can all be done during your last trimester of pregnancy by attending a Safe Ride Home class.