Breast pump through insurance
Most private health plans must cover a breast pump. Check which pump your plan covers and have it shipped before your due date.
From the hospital's official website · confirm on your tour
Private Postpartum Rooms
Doula Allowed in Addition to Visitors
Showers Only
Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital Maternity Ward: Visitor Policy, Rooms, Doulas & Birth Options (2026)
According to its official website, Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago, IL has private postpartum rooms, up to 3 support people in Labor & Delivery, a doula in addition to that limit, showers but no birthing tubs, nitrous oxide for labor. Policies change, so confirm on your maternity tour.
Rooms, Partner Bed & Comfort
- Room Setup
- LDR + 100% Private Postpartum Suites (30+ LDRs, 3 Floors of Private Mother-Baby Suites)
- Private Postpartum Rooms
- 100% private
- Partner Overnight Bed
- Custom pull-out sleeper couch in every private LDR and postpartum suite
- Tubs / Water Birth
- Showers only
- Nitrous Oxide
- Offered during labor
- Wireless Monitoring
- Available
Visitors, Doulas & VBAC
- L&D Support People
- Up to 3
- Doula Policy
- Doula allowed in addition to visitors
- Doula in C-Section OR
- 1 support person in OR (doula permitted only if partner is not present or cleared by OB anesthesia)
- Sibling Visits
- Siblings of all ages may visit in the Mother-Baby unit during visiting hours
- VBAC
- Listed as supported (discuss with your OB)
Hospital Details
- Address
- 250 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611 · (312) 926-2000
- Health System
- Northwestern Medicine
- Births per Year
- ~11,500 (estimate)
- NICU Level
- Level III (reported; confirm with the hospital)
- Parking
- $13/day
- State Doula Rules
- Illinois doula & Medicaid coverage →
- Official Website
- Northwestern Medicine maternity page ↗ · Link checked 2026-11-07
See something out of date? Send us an update.
Questions to Ask on Your Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital Maternity Tour
- Rooms: Are all postpartum (mother-baby) rooms private, or could I be placed in a shared room? If shared, what does a private room cost per night and can it be reserved?
- Rooms: Is there a bed or sleeper sofa so my partner can stay overnight after delivery?
- Visitors: How many support people can be with me in Labor & Delivery? Can I swap them during labor?
- Doulas: Does a doula count toward the visitor limit? Can a doula come into the operating room for a C-section?
- Pain relief: Do you have labor tubs? Are they for labor only, or are water births allowed?
- Pain relief: Do you offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) during labor? Is an anesthesiologist on site 24/7 for epidurals?
- Medical: Do you support VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean)? What is your NICU level, and where would my baby go if they need a higher level?
- Arrival: Which entrance do I use when I am in labor, especially at night? Where do we park and what does it cost?
- Baby: Can siblings visit? What are postpartum visiting hours? Does the baby stay in my room (rooming-in)?
- Extras: If I bring a private cord blood collection kit, what do I need to tell the staff when I arrive?
🌸 Before Your Due Date
Getting Ready to Deliver at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital
Things worth sorting out in your third trimester. We don't collect your details; each link goes straight to the provider.
Baby registry
Build one registry for everything, including your hospital bag items. Many registries add a welcome box or completion discount.
Hospital bag essentials
Battery LED candles, a labor gown, a clip-on fan, long phone cable. See our list of what you can bring to Labor & Delivery.
Cord blood: bank or donate
Private banking needs a kit from the bank in your hospital bag. Public donation is free but only offered at some hospitals. Decide by your third trimester.
Find a birth doula
Ask any doula you interview whether they have attended births at your hospital and how it handles doulas and visitors.
Childbirth classes
Many hospitals run their own classes; online courses work if the dates don’t fit. Aim to finish by 36 weeks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are postpartum rooms at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital private or shared?
According to Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital's official information, postpartum rooms are private, with custom pull-out sleeper couch in every private ldr and postpartum suite. Confirm on your tour.
What is the Labor & Delivery visitor and doula policy at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital?
Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital allows up to 3 support people in Labor & Delivery. A doula is allowed in addition to that limit. Confirm with the hospital before your due date.
Does Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital have water birth tubs or nitrous oxide?
Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital has showers for labor but no birthing tubs. Nitrous oxide is offered during labor.
Does Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital support VBAC?
Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital lists VBAC (trial of labor after cesarean) as supported. Whether it is right for you depends on your medical history, so discuss it with your OB.