Pregnancy Test/Doctor Recommendation with United Healthcare

All of St. James' births are done in Chicago Heights. I had to change drs this time (#3) and delivered the 1st two in Olympia Fields (which was really nice by the way). This one I will deliver in Chicago Heights, but have heard good things about the labor/delivery dept. Good luck!

Hello and Congrats! I thought I replied yesterday, but I guess it did not go through. I know you already booked with your OB but were looking for info on Palos. I delivered my first son on Dec 29th 2007 at Palos. I thought it was a wonderful facility. I love my doctor. Her name is Lori Leipold. She has an office in Orland and connected to the hospital in Palos. I live in Mokena as well and both offices are pretty easy to get to. I went to the Palos office because I preferred the hours there, but the Orland one is closer. She is a wonderful doctor. Takes time to sit and answer questions at every appointment. Very personable. You can tell she loves what she does...every appointment when we would check for my baby's heart rate, she would get this little smile on her face. I told her I noticed she did that and she smiled even bigger and said it is a miracle. I really never had a doctor that was so nice. Also, I had a c-section and I was upset because I wanted to deliver vaginally. She comforted me and told me I would be fine....and then when I was being prepared for surgery, she talked with my husband and asked how I was doing (regarding the surgery and how I felt mentally). I thought it was nice she understood how I felt. As for Palos....I enjoyed my experience there. I loved all my nurses. They took great care of me, and at the time I delivered there was only one other woman in labor and she was quite a bit behind me on delivery time. That it seemed all the nurses wanted to help me. I think they might have fought over me! Kidding aside, very caring staff. The lactation consultants that I had were very helpful. I even liked the person who gave me my epidural. She talked me through the whole c-section surgery and kept my nerves in check. THe visiting rules are strict, but really I was ok with it. Sure, I would maybe have liked to have my brother be able to hold my son...but that is really it. I mean, it was the grandparents and us. It kept it really personal and private and really gave me and husband time to just be together with our baby alone. I kinda liked it eventhough it was tough on close friends and family. We said as we drove off with our new son, that the "easy" button was gone and it was now up to us....and that we look forward to having another child at Palos. For the biggest day in my life (besides marrying my husband) I would not change my experience with my doctor or the hospital for anything. (I lied, I wish my son was not breach and could have delived naturally.)If you have any other questions feel free to contact me. Sorry this is so long!
K.

J.,
Congrats! A line is a line . . .no matter how faint!

I grew up in the south suburbs and my mom is a nurse. Her theory has always been to stay as far, far away from anything affiliated with St James.

In speaking with my children's pediatrician (who was affiliated with St James) he was leaving the group because there were "things" (not sure what they were) that he specifically disagreed with there.

On a side note, I was with a friend of mine when she delivered her first child at St James about 6 years ago and it was a pleasant experience. I am pretty sure Dr Freeman was the dr as well.

B.

I had Connor at St. James in Olympia Fields in May of 2007 and it was a great experience. I had Dr. Dexter Arrington and Dr. Shauna Chin-Bonds in Olympia Fields - both great! That being said, I am almost positive that they have closed their labor and delivery area and you would have to deliver at St. James in Chicago Heights. I hear they have renovated it and it is absolutely awesome, however, that seems a little far for Mokena.

I go to Freeman and I LOVE him!!!!! He delivered my second baby and I have had no problems at all. It was my second C section and it healed perfectly. I see him out of the Dixie Hwy office though.

My first son was also born at St. James and Dr. Ruby delivered him. He is also in the Frankfort Office. I wasn't so keen on him in the office, long long waits, but he was AWESOME in the delivery room. My son was an emergency Csection footling breech delivery 8 weeks early and Ruby made me feel very calm, even though it was a scary situation. Needless to say, my son was fine and I was too.

I would totally reccomend them to anyone. I still go to Freeman and saw him last month. He really is great.

Hi J.,
St. James does not have L&D in Olympia Fields. They closed that wing, and moved everything over the Chicago Heights. I am fairly familiar with St. James, and depending on what kind of birth experience you are looking for, it may or may not be a good choice. Dr. Freeman is a very nice man, and again depending on what kind of experience you want, it may or may not be the best option. I can tell you that both the Dr. and the hospital are not known for supporting natural birth. It is possible to have one, you just need to advocate for yourself or hire a doula. But, if you are not interested in a natural birth, I believe the Dr. and the hospital could be a great option, especially since it's not that far of a drive for you. Best of luck. And, congrats!

Hi J.,

I am a mother of three. My second child is 3 years old and was born at St. James in Chicago Heights. I haven't been to Labor and Delivery at the Olympia Fields location, but I have been to their pediatric unit that has been recently added to the hospital, and they are excellent. This unit has been highly spoken of and I'm sure that you would have a positive experience if you have to go to labor and delivery at St. James. As for Dr. Kendall Freeman, you have one of the best OB/GYN around. He was my doctor for my second child and he was AWESOME! A very professional, caring, and personable doctor, I'm sure that's what you want and need at this time. I was treated by Dr. Freeman until labor and delivery, but because he was apart of a medical group of doctors he was not on call the day of the delivery. The doctor that delivered my son, Dr. Lane, was a good one also. Since then I have a 3 month old daughter and am apart of a different insurance which is Humana. Therefore, I couldn't see Dr. Freeman and I was highly disappointed. Of course I Praise God that I had good prenatal care and my daughter and I are both happy and healthy individuals. I'm sorry that I couldn't suggest any doctor that are affiliated with your insurance plan but hopefully you have some reassurance about Dr. Freeman.

Based on your post, you must not be able to go to Silver Cross in Joliet?