Quality Care with a Community of Support
Making a wise choice for prenatal care and delivery is the most important decision expectant mothers can make. Throughout their pregnancy, women discuss their most personal and important health-care concerns with their obstetrician. By combining a team of skilled doctors with the latest technologies and practices, Loyola is able to offer expectant mothers the area’s foremost expert care.
Sarah Martin, mother of three, couldn’t agree more. “Over the eight-and-a-half years that I have been receiving care at Loyola, it’s been a great experience. Two of my three children were delivered there, including my 4-month old daughter, Lily.”
“Loyola’s world-class, experienced obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists and a collaborative team of physicians and nurses provide comprehensive health care,” said John Gianopoulos, MD, FACOG, professor and chair, obstetrics & gynecology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, and medical director, Loyola University Health System, Women’s Health Service Line.
Loyola’s academic resources, care for the human spirit, innovative practices and obstetricians, ranked in the top 1 percent nationally according to the sixth edition of Castle Connolly’s “America’s Top Doctors,” are integrated to provide a complete approach to women’s obstetrical needs.
Recently, many of the Loyola general obstetrical services moved to our Melrose Park campus so that we can offer mothers-to-be all the comforts of a community hospital with Loyola’s high-level care. You and your baby have access to the “safety net” of Loyola experts and the same leading-edge technologies available at our Maywood campus that meet your specific needs.
“When it comes to high-risk obstetrical care, Loyola’s medical center campus in Maywood is unmatched in the region. For low-risk obstetrical care, Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park is an excellent choice,” said James Gomez, MD, vice-chairman, obstetrics and gynecology, at Melrose Park.
Healthy Pregnancy or High Risk – Loyola is Area’s Best
“Most pregnancies are going to be uncomplicated with reasonable outcomes, and Loyola excels in delivering babies for mothers with normal pregnancies. But we also have unmatched success with high-risk deliveries,” Dr. Gianopoulos said.
Loyola boasts a state-designated perinatal center that provides coordinated high-risk obstetrical and neonatal services for the most difficult cases in Illinois. Serving eight regional hospitals, it operates one of the few obstetrical intensive care units in Illinois and serves as an international model. In fact, the two Guinness-Book-of-World- Records-holding smallest surviving babies were delivered at Loyola. One, born at 9.9 ounces in 1989, is now a healthy and happy college student. The other, born at 8.6 ounces in 2004, is a busy toddler exploring life with her twin sister.
Loyola’s fetal assessment centers, located strategically throughout neighborhood communities, offer expert consultative and diagnostic services for mothers whose pregnancies turn challenging. Nationally recognized specialists and board-certified physicians in obstetrics & gynecology are equipped to provide patients with answers quickly and on an outpatient basis with most results available the same day.
Moreover, Loyola’s obstetric intensive care unit is one of only a handful in the United States and the only one in Illinois. This unit provides critical care for mother and baby before, during and after delivery.
“Loyola’s most attractive quality is the sense of community with our expectant mothers. We are a sophisticated health system, but we are also a community that cares for our patients,” said Scott Graziano, MD, assistant professor, obstetrics & gynecology. “From the call center representatives to the front desk receptionists to transportation staff who help mothers to their rooms, we all work together showing patients genuine concern. That caring spirit shines through and creates a healing and healthy environment for mothers.”
A patient of Dr. Graziano’s, Sarah Martin has developed long-term relationships with Loyola’s obstetricians and nurses. “The first time I went to Loyola, the staff was very friendly and introduced me to everyone on the team. Dr. Graziano wanted to make sure that I knew everyone and felt comfortable. It was so important to me that the nurses and doctors gave me their undivided attention and listened with keen respect,” Sarah said. “This is a key reason why I stay with Loyola. And, when I had my deliveries at Loyola, my husband was able to stay overnight in the room with me. We could tell that all the nurses and doctors really cared about us, and that put me at ease,” Sarah said.
Loyola’s mission is to provide care for the whole person, embracing and uplifting the human spirit. This is why Loyola’s obstetrical services treat the whole woman and her baby, in body, mind and spirit. In fact, every pregnant woman who is seen by a Loyola physician receives a comprehensive book titled Journey of Birth, Journey of Love written by Loyola nurses. “My husband and I read the book, and it was very helpful,” Sarah said.
Sarah has benefited from Loyola’s community of support in many ways, including attending a “Moms-in-Motion” class that offers water aerobics, yoga and the added bonus of making life-long friends with fellow expectant moms. “We have formed strong bonds and get together with our babies and support each other in motherhood,” she said.
Dr. Graziano pointed out another benefit from Loyola’s sense of community. “We offer a seamless transition from obstetrical care to other women’s health issues. We are integrated technologically, but also on a personal level with fellow physicians, nurses and specialists. If a patient I am seeing has a non-obstetrical issue, I can refer her within the system to someone know and trust. All of her care has been integrated not only technologically, but personally from physician to physician,” he said.
Where to Learn More
To find a Loyola physician, call (888) LUHS-888.
Trusted Loyola care with community hospital benefits
Loyola University Health System recently relocated many of its general obstetrical services to our Melrose Park campus at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, offering a comfortable private setting with well-appointed amenities for new mothers, their families or support person, and babies.
Obstetrical services at Melrose Park are family-friendly, pair a world-class teaching hospital with a highly skilled medical staff and are located an easy 10-minute drive northwest of our Maywood campus.
The newly renovated facility serves Loyola and Gottlieb physicians. Loyola obstetricians are credentialed to deliver patients at Melrose Park, and Loyola’s obstetrical specialists are on call 24 hours a day. Should mothers and babies need specialized care, Loyola experts will be available to facilitate a rapid transfer to our obstetrical or neonatal intensive care units.
“Whether you choose a Loyola or Gottlieb physician, you and your baby will have access to the same Loyola-level standard of care and protocols. One collaborative team of physicians and nursing staff is working together to provide the best patient care new moms need,” said Dr. Gianopoulos.
Obstetrical services at Melrose Park include all the comforts of a community hospital but with the added assurance and access to Loyola’s high level of obstetrical care including:
- Fetal assessment center for high-risk pregnancies
- Private room with soft restful décor
- First trimester screen and high-level consultation
- Cell phone and free wireless internet
- 24/7, in-house obstetrician
- Convenient, free parking
- Team of obstetrical nurses 24/7
- Comfortable sofa-bed for support person
- On-call Loyola neonatal team
- Rooming-in so that babies stay with families
- In-house pediatrician
- Online baby photo site to share first
- Certified lactation counselors images with friends and relatives
Where to Learn More
To find a Loyola physician, call (888) LUHS-888. To find a Gottlieb-affiliated physician, call (708) 450-DOCS. Take a tour of our Melrose Park birthing suites.
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM
