Hi ladies, I have heard some of you recommending Dr. Elvove as an OB/GYN as well as family practicioner, so some of you may not be aware (I just found this out) that after this December, he is no longer practicing OB (but will still be a family practicioner/pediatrician) due to the obscene cost of malpractice insurance making it cost-prohibitive for him to deliver babies. I am so bummed, as I was looking forward to him delivering any of my future children.
I have two boys delivered by Womancare Schaumburg/AH, but am not looking to go back there due to some of the practices I want to do differently (namely natural childbirth, no episiotomy, and immediate nursing after the birth). I plan to hire a doula which will help with the natural childbirth route, but don't know where to start with the other things. Does anyone know of a good practice that might accomodate my requests? Another parameter is that I'd prefer to deliver at Northwest Community Hospital as that's where my first two were born and my family lives closeby there as well (and they'll be a big help with our current kids!). Dr. Elvove would have been out of Highland Park Hospital, which is supposed to be wonderful for "home birth in the hospital" type experience, but it's so far from my home I don't want to drive to Vernon Hills or further for my doctors during pregnancy.
I found a practice that does physician-assisted homebirth. It is called Homefirst, and there are offices scattered throughout Chicagoland (Rolling Meadows, Wheaton, Naperville, among others). So far, they have been very good. I am excited about having our third child at home (our first two were in the hospital).
I birthed both of my girls at home with the help of the doctors at Homefirst ... they have several locations in the Chicagoland area. Check out their website and see if they would work for you: http://www.homefirst.com/homebirth.html
HTH!
I would recommend Northwest Women's Consultants. The main office is just down the road from the hospital. When you're pregnant, you actually go to their office at the hospital. The only drawback is it's a fairly large practice and they rotate who's on call for delivery. You'll meet all of the doc's during your routine prenatal care visits, but as far as delivery goes...it's whoever is on call. That worked fine for me both times (I delivered naturally both times), but I know some women prefer to know for sure who the doctor will be.
Hi-
I am a nurse who used to work in Labor and Delivery for a few years (Northwest Community Hospital for a year). During that time I got to watch how physician's practiced. I would highly recommend Dr. Renae Yockey ###-###-####). Her office is in the new medical plaza at Alexian Brothers Hospital in Elk Grove but she does practice at Northwest Community Hospital (great hospital). I would not recommend delivering at Alexian as they (anesthesiologist and nurse) really screwed up. Dr. Yockey delivered both of my children. Also, she has a nurse practioner (Nicole) who is great. Hope that helps.
Look at mothering.com for recommendations for midwifes. That's your best bet.
I love Suburban Woman's health especially Dr. Christopher Michael. They also have a midwife on staff there who I've heard is great. They are very flexible and both of their ob/gyn's are awesome doctors. Dr. Michael even told me to call him if I went into labor and he wasn't on call and he would come in and deliver my baby after I expressed the hope that he would be on call when I had my baby. I was so surprised when he said that!
There is a doctor, James Smith, on Wilke in Arlington Hts, who has several midwives in his practice. Women who want that type of experience seem to be very happy there.
Thanks for the info, but I am so disappointed to hear this! Unfortunately, I have no advice for you, but just so saddened to hear this news. Was looking forward to using him for the birth of our next child. :(
