Pregnancy and Childbirth

More than 1,500 babies are delivered at MetroSouth Medical Center each year and that number is growing.  And for good reason.  We offer a sophisticated medical environment complemented by a compassionate and individualized approach to care.  Our Birthing Place team features specialists to help ensure the health of mother and child, even in the most difficult of circumstances.  To read more about the attributes of our birthing facilities and resources, please refer to the highlights of our Women's Health program.

Classes at the Family BIrth Place
At the Family Birth Place at MetroSouth Medical Center, we believe the birth of your baby is a family event. While every birth offers unique challenges, experience shows that preparation is the best way to create a positive birth experience for mother, baby and family. The Family Birth Place offers a comprehensive range of classes and workshops that help the whole family be part of, and prepare both for pregnancy and the birth and care of the baby. Call 708-597-2000 ext. 5572 to learn about upcoming classes.

Illinois State Provided Insurance Programs
MetroSouth Medical Center staff can help you obtain insurance coverage to cover your pregnancy and children.  Please click here to learn more about the Mom & Babies Program and the All Kids Program.

Prenatal health
The MetroSouth Medical Center OB/GYN team members are dedicated to excellent prenatal health in their patients. After all, a healthy pregnancy is the single most important thing you can do to ensure a healthy delivery.

Prenatal testing
Prenatal tests are administered to detect health problems that might endanger you or your unborn child. These tests do have limitations, but they are helpful in identifying treatable health problems in the mother, congenital genetic or chromosomal problems in the baby, fetal abnormalities and information about the baby including size, age and sex. MetroSouth’s prenatal team will work closely with you to help you understand what these tests measure, explain potential risks and explain options if results point to a defect or disorder.

Who Needs Prenatal Testing?
Several prenatal tests are administered to everyone, but other non-routine tests are given only to certain women, especially those with higher risk pregnancies. Those may include women who:

• Are adolescents
• Have had a premature baby
• Are older than 35
• Are carrying multiple babies
• Have had a baby with a birth defect such as a heart problem
• Have a family history of mental retardation
• Have one of the following conditions: asthma, seizure disorder, heart disease, kidney problem, diabetes, high blood pressure, lupus, cancer or a sexually transmitted disease.

Physician office exams and testing may include:

• Family history, blood grouping, etc.
• Exams and tests to detect:
• Anemia
• Hemoglobin & hematocrit levels
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Anemia
• Sexually-transmitted diseases
• Sickle cell train
• Hepatitis B
• HIV
• Ultrasound
• Down syndrome screening
• Fetal movement counting
• Level II ultrasounds
• Non Stress Test
• Amniotic fluid index evaluation
• Fetal biophysical profile
• Newborn screening
• Daily pediatric exams
• Baby footprints
• Security bands
• Bilirubin screen (for jaundice)
• Vitamin K injection
• Hepatitis B Vaccine (first dose)
• Car seat tolerance test
• Hearing screen
• Metabolic screen
• Erythromycin eye ointment
• Cystic fibrosis screen (optional)

To schedule an appointment a MetroSouth Medical Center physician or midwife, call 708-489-7925.