Obstetrics & maternity care

The “Sherman Delivers” experience aims to make your pregnancy and delivery truly special for you and your family. That's why we provide exceptional treatment along with the support and education you need to confidently care for your newborn at home.

What you can expect:

• Breastfeeding support before and after your pregnancy with classes, one-on-one assistance and outpatient services.
• Private delivery rooms and postpartum suites to welcome your family's new addition in comfort.
• One nurse, your Baby's First Friend, dedicated to caring for only you and your baby.
• Focus on bonding through skin-to-skin contact.
• No separation policy that keeps you and your baby together throughout your hospital stay, unless he or she requires specialized care.
• Daily nap time that promotes rest for healing and bonding.
• In-room assessments and screenings including hearing, cardiac testing and bloodwork.
• A baby security system using unique identification bands that monitor your baby's location at all times, for peace of mind.

Breastfeeding support

Advocate Sherman is a designated Baby-Friendly hospital – a worldwide breastfeeding quality improvement project created by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). This means we provide breastfeeding guidance and support throughout pregnancy and beyond.

• Helping you prepare: Learn basic breastfeeding skills and how to avoid common problems. Partners or support persons are encouraged to attend. Classes are taught by an international board-certified lactation consultant. Register online now.
• During your stay: Our nurses, peer consultants and international board-certified lactation consultants are available to help you get started, answer any questions and address any complex issues.
• Support at home: Once your return home after your delivery, our outpatient breastfeeding center will be available to you. You'll also have access to a 24-Hour Breastfeeding Warm Line and our donor milk depot (Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes). For more information or to schedule an appointment, Call 224-783-8041 for more information.

Advanced services for complex issues

Should complications arise, specialty services available at our birthing center make us more than equipped to identify and treat high-risk mothers and babies.

• Special Care Nursery: Our Level II Extended (IIE) special care nursery is one of only 11 hospitals to receive this designation. It's awarded only to hospitals with the necessary staff, services, equipment and demonstrated record of excellent outcomes in treating high-risk newborns, including premature or low-weight babies.
• State-of-the-Art Testing: We offer a wide range of testing options to monitor the health of mothers and babies throughout pregnancy. These include Level II ultrasound, screening for abnormalities, fetal echocardiograms, first-trimester/early Down Syndrome screening and genetic/fetal lung amniocentesis.
• Counseling: Our specialists are available at any time for pre-conceptual, genetic or diabetes counseling.

Our instructors are ready to lead virtual discussions with you and other new parents about childbirth, newborn care and breastfeeding, and we also offer online self-led course options. Please click here to see the list of available classes. We're here to help you and your family prepare to welcome your new baby, and we look forward to working with you during your newborn's first few months.

Register for a class

Select a class to learn more and register online. You can also register by calling 800-3-ADVOCATE and mentioning the class code.

• Birthing center virtual tour
• Birthing center in-person tour
• Breastfeeding basics with Zoom
• Breathing for birth with Zoom
• Empowered pregnancy and beyond
• Newborn care with Zoom
• Online - Breastfeeding basics
• Online - Newborn care
• Online - Understanding childbirth
• Understanding childbirth with Zoom

Support groups

Our support groups are held at the hospital. Free valet parking is available at the main entrance. All groups are free, and registration isn't required. For more information, call 224-783-8041.

New Mother/Breastfeeding Support Group with Zoom:

Lactation consultants facilitate the group from Advocate Sherman Hospital. Let us know if you want to participate by calling 224-783-8041. Leave your name and email, and we will send a Zoom code so you can join.
Meets every Thursday, 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m.

Advocate Sherman Hospital car seat safety check

We offer car seat checks by certified technicians who can also recommend the right type of seat for your child. Appointments available Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 708-684-7019 to schedule.

Additional resources

Advocate Health Care offers a range of resources for moms and babies, including baby pictures and hearing tests. View Advocate's resources.