Birthing Center

It’s more than just a delivery room. 

To learn more about Valley West Community Hospital’s Birthing Center, please call (815) 786-8484, Ext. 3760.

The birth of your child is a special event. At the Valley West Community Hospital Birthing Center we are committed to making your entire pregnancy as comfortable and memorable as possible. 

Valley West Birthing Center is truly a family birthing center—ensuring cherished memories for mom and dad, grandparents and siblings, too. Here at VWCH, we go beyond your expectations to ensure that the birth of your baby is a safe, comfortable, joyful event. 

In partnership with your doctor or midwife, VWCH Birthing Center offers comprehensive care that begins at your first prenatal appointment, and continues throughout your pregnancy. Highly skilled VWCH nurses and staff provide a wealth of experience that supports you every step of the way during your baby’s birth. VWCH continues to offer support services for you and your family even after you bring your baby home. 

Advanced technology in fetal monitoring,  increased infant security, spacious family comfort areas, one- on-one instruction for new moms, a private breastfeeding room, and whirlpools in patient rooms all add up to a comfortable, memorable and rewarding experience for families. 

Medical Staff and Nurses

The Birthing Center’s medical staff includes doctors board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, family practice, pediatrics, and a certified nurse midwife who have independent practices in the community. 

Our staff of registered nurses represent years of experience in maternity nursing. Many have advanced certification in obstetrical nursing and lactation counseling. All staff involved with deliveries are certified as neonatal resuscitation providers. 

Your First Baby Gifts

All new parents receive a gift bag for baby and a certificate for dinner out for two. 

Childbirth Education

Bi-monthly classes are available for expectant parents to discuss and learn about pregnancy, childbirth expectations and realities, breastfeeding, infant nutrition, epidural anesthesia, pain management alternatives, cesarean delivery and possible complications of pregnancy. A tour of the unit is included. For registration and fees, call (815) 786-8484, Ext. 3760.  For class details, visit the Classes & Programs section of this site and click on OB Programs.

Sibling Visitation Classes

A free one-hour class for children ages 2–6. Features an interactive video, tour and individual teaching led by trained obstetrical staff. For more information and scheduling, call (815) 786-8484, Ext. 3760. 

Lactation Counseling

Trained lactation educators are available to counsel mothers on breastfeeding concerns and problem solving.  Bi-monthly classes are available. For class details, visit the Classes & Programs section of this site and click on OB Programs.

Home Visit Program

An experienced obstetrical nurse will visit a new mother at home, if she desires.  The nurse weighs the baby, checks for feeding problems, and answers questions to support parents with their new roles.  The service is in cooperation with the DeKalb County Health Department.

Newborn Hearing Screening

Valley West Community Hospital, in conjunction with Northern Illinois University, provides hearing screenings for every infant born at our hospital as mandated by the State of Illinois.

The screening process may involve two stages. The first of which is done prior to discharge from the hospital.

Your baby’s hearing will be screened using a quick, harmless, non-invasive method of assessing hearing called OAE (otoacoustic emissions). A soft sound is presented to the baby’s ear through a probe tip placed in the ear canal, an “echo” or emission from the inner ear is present in a normally functioning ear and will be recorded with a microphone in the probe. Both you and your baby’s doctor will be informed of the test results in writing.

Some babies require a second screening, due to an ear canal blockage, middle ear fluid, or possible hearing problem. Second screenings are done at the Northern Illinois University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic.

If at anytime you have concerns about your child’s hearing ability or speech and language development, consult your family doctor and arrange to have an audiological evaluation. You may also contact the Northern Illinois University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at (815) 753-1481.

Comfort 

Your comfort is a priority. You may discuss pain management plans with your physician and nurse. Epidural pain relief is available as well as other comfort measures such as our Jacuzzis, birthing ball, rice socks, and medication.

You’ll take comfort in knowing that the nurses who care for you have accumulated years of knowledge, experience and advanced training.  Their expertise is available to support you every step of the way.

Infant Security System

A state-of-the-art system ensures the safety of the infant. Part of the VWCH Birthing Center abduction prevention plan. Your baby is never left alone here. Our family centered maternity care and high nurse to patient ratios make your family’s new beginning safe and memorable. 

A “Suite” Experience

You will feel cared for every minute during your stay in one of our LDRP suites, where you will Labor, Deliver, Recover and receive Post delivery care all in one private room.

A new OB department with delivery, recovery and post-partum (LDRP) rooms, where expectant parents will be able to labor, deliver and recover in the same room along with their infant throughout the remainder of their stay.  Each room has a private whirlpool.

Two lovely, private, patient rooms, are available to care for patients after having gynecological or Cesarean surgery. Rooming in and other maternity features and care remain the same.

At Valley West Community Hospital we value your health. Count on us to help you take good care of yourself.