Erie Prenatal Health teams strive to increase patients’ access to effective reproductive health care including Prenatal and Postnatal care, in order to improve patients' overall health and the the health of baby during pregnancy and after delivery. To accomplish this, our care teams provide an array of integrated services before and during pregnancy as well as after your child's birth.
When you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant...
When you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is important for your health and the health of your baby to get regular medical care throughout your pregnancy.
At Erie, your health and the well-being of your baby is our priority. Erie's prenatal care team is here to help you get a healthy start. We partner with you for every step of your pregnancy.
Erie welcomes patients with or without insurance, regardless of your immigration status, in the language you prefer - no matter how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Your physician or midwife coordinates your care, and case managers and health promoters are available to provide support to help you have a healthy pregnancy and delivery, and to prepare you for life after pregnancy.
You receive care from our certified nurse midwives, advanced practice nurses, family medicine or OB/GYN providers for your prenatal care and delivery, and we can care for you after you have your baby.
Many of our patients deliver at our partner hospitals:
Northwestern Memorial Hospital – Prentice serves our Erie locations:
- Erie Westside Health Center
- Erie West Town Health Center
- Erie Division Street Health Center and Erie Teen Center
Endeavor Health - Swedish Hospital serves our Erie locations:
- Erie Division Street Health Center and Erie Teen Center
- Erie Humboldt Park Health Center
- Erie Foster Avenue Health Center
- Erie Helping Hands Health Center
- Erie Evanston/Skokie Health Center
Endeavor Health - Northshore Evanston Hospital serves our Erie Evanston/Skokie location.
Northwestern Memorial Lake Forest Hospital and Endeavor Health - Northshore Highland Park Hospital serve our Erie HealthReach Waukegan location.
Learn about Erie locations and partner hospitals for each location.
Visit our locations pages
Erie Prenatal Health Services
- Preconception counseling
- Free pregnancy tests
- Prenatal exams and pregnancy care
- Care for high-risk pregnancies
- Ultrasound services
- Behavioral health integration in Pregnancy (BHIP) care
- In-hospital labor and delivery (at some partner hospitals)
- In-hospital newborn care (at some partner hospitals)
- Post-partum care
- Family planning and contraception including postpartum LARC (IUDs and Nexplanon)
- Breastfeeding support
- Support from our case managers and insurance navigation
- Health education and nutritional counseling
We offer comprehensive Reproductive Health Services for all patients.
WIC (Women, Infants, Children) Program
WIC helps families eat well and stay healthy. WIC is for
- infants and children up to their fifth birthday (even if they are cared for by other guardians, by fathers, grandparents or foster parents)
- pregnant or breastfeeding parents
- or people who have just had a baby
WIC provides
- an EBT card for healthy foods based on your nutritional needs
- breastfeeding education and support
- nutrition counseling
- and referrals to other social services
You do not have to be an Erie patient to participate in WIC at Erie.
The WIC program is offered by Erie with support from the Chicago Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Support groups during and after pregnancy
Erie’s prenatal and post-partum support groups are available to registered Erie patients and are led by our BH clinicians. Typically, groups meet either weekly, biweekly, or monthly for an hour or two weekly or monthly.
Let your Erie provider know if you are interested in registering for an Erie support group.
Below is our currently active support group. Your delivery hospital may also have support groups and classes to support you in the different stages of your pregnancy journey.
Pregnancy & Post Partum Support Group (in English)
Time: 1:30 PM
Days: First and Third Wednesday of each month
Format: Virtual Group
Description: A safe space to explore various topics that are significant to motherhood.
Pregnancy & Post Partum Support Group (in Spanish)
Time: 12:00 PM
Days: First and Third Wednesday of each month
Format: Virtual Group
Description: A safe space to explore various topics that are significant to motherhood.
Tips for a Healthier Pregnancy
We understand there is a lot to manage during your pregnancy.
Be sure to go to all of your prenatal health appointments and talk with your provider if you have questions.
The following educational handouts provide important tips for giving you and your baby a healthy start and managing your pregnancy between visits. Each handout is in both English and Spanish.
Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy
Stages of Pregnancy
Tips for Healthier Pregnancy
Substances Harmful to Pregnancy
Nutrition and Food Safety in Pregnancy
Over the Counter Medication Tips for Pregnancy
Mental Health in Pregnancy
Warning Signs in Pregnancy
Ultrasounds in Pregnancy
Oral Health in Pregnancy
Erie Case Management
COVID-19 Safety in Pregnancy
Delivering at an Endeavor NorthShore Hospital
Car Seat Safety for Newborns and Infants
Car Seat flyer /resources information coming soon
We recommend a few vaccinations during pregnancy to protect both you and baby.
Preparing for Delivery
How do I have a healthy pregnancy
- Vaccinations and Healthy Pregnancy
- Hospital Registrations
- Your Plan for labor and coping with labor pains
- Plan for Birth Control after pregnancy
- Should I get a Doula?
- Mental Health support for depression, anxiety & stress in pregnancy.
What tests are done in this time of my pregnancy?
What danger signs should I call Erie about?
Am I ready for baby's arrival?
- Do I have a birth plan,
- Who will be my baby's provider after birth? (appointments summary)
- Birthing classes
Tips for a Healthier Pregnancy
We understand there is a lot to manage during your pregnancy.
Be sure to go to all of your prenatal health appointments and talk with your provider if you have questions.
The following educational handouts provide important tips for giving you and your baby a healthy start and managing your pregnancy between visits. Each handout is in both English and Spanish.
Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy
Stages of Pregnancy
Tips for Healthier Pregnancy
Substances Harmful to Pregnancy
Nutrition and Food Safety in Pregnancy
Over the Counter Medication Tips for Pregnancy
Mental Health in Pregnancy
Warning Signs in Pregnancy
Ultrasounds in Pregnancy
Oral Health in Pregnancy
Erie Case Management
COVID-19 Safety in Pregnancy
Delivering at an Endeavor NorthShore Hospital
Car Seat Safety for Newborns and Infants
Preparing for the first years after birth
Getting Ready for Baby's arrival
- Do I have a birth plan, car seat, safe place for baby to sleep, thermometer
- Who will be my baby's provider after birth? (appointments summary)
- What is my plan for feeding my baby?
- Breastfeeding - check out our breastfeeding resources tab (+)
- Birthing classes
- Contraception choices
To Keep Your Baby Sleeping Safely, Remember the ABC's
Babies should sleep alone, on their back, in a crib, in a smoke free place. Read below about the important ABCs of Safe Sleep. You can also watch videos to learn more.
A - ALONE
Babies are safest when they sleep alone.
- No blankets, pillows, toys, stuffed animals, bumpers or any other items in the crib with them
- Babies should never sleep with other people
- Your baby will be safe (and comfortable!) in a crib with a firm, flat mattress, a fitted sheet, and nothing else
- Instead of a blanket, you can use a swaddle (until your baby can roll, around 2-4 months) or a sleep sack (also called a wearable blanket)
Why?
We know that babies who sleep under a soft covering, such as a soft blanket or quilt, are more likely to die of SIDS or suffocation. These deaths are more likely when soft objects, toys, and blankets are in the baby's sleep area.
B - Back
Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep, at night time and for naps. Doing this has been proven to decrease the risk of sleep-related deaths
- Doctors recommend you place your baby to sleep on their back until they turn one
- When your baby starts to roll over on their own during sleep (from back to stomach or stomach to back) you do not need to move them, but you should still always place them to sleep on their back
Why?
Research from many countries shows that babies who are placed to sleep on their stomachs are more likely to die of SIDS. The exact reason for this is not known, but there have been dramatic decreases in SIDS rates in all countries that have advised parents to only place their babies to sleep on their backs.
C - CRIB
Babies should sleep in a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet.
- Never place your baby to sleep on soft surfaces like an adult bed, couch, pillow, quilt or blanket
- Do not use a car seat, stroller, swing, infant carrier, infant sling, or similar products as your baby's regular sleep area
Why?
Research shows that a high rate of infants involved in sleep-related deaths were found in places not approved for infant sleep
S - SMOKE-FREE
- Do not smoke during pregnancy, and do not smoke or allow smoking around your baby.
- If someone in your family smokes, ask them to do it outside and away from your baby
Why?
Research shows that infants who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at a greater risk for SIDS.
Breastfeeding your baby
If you are reading this, it’s probably because you are considering breastfeeding your baby or have already begun. Congratulations! Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for most infants.
We can help you breastfeed.
Even though breast is best, breastfeeding may not be as easy as it looks. Erie Family Health Centers has providers who can help you get started and support you along the way. We have information on:
- the benefits of breastfeeding
- what to expect immediately after you have your baby in the hospital,
- how to keep up the breastfeeding once you get home with your baby
- how to use a pump and store milk for up to a year
- breastfeeding supplies you might find useful
- common problems of breastfeeding
At our health centers we can provide a variety of breastfeeding support by phone, telehealth appointments, or in-person visits. We have certified lactation consultants on staff who can address complicated breastfeeding issues.
Visit our breastfeeding resources page to learn more.
WIC (Women, Infants, Children) Program
WIC helps families eat well and stay healthy. WIC is for
- infants and children up to their fifth birthday (even if they are cared for by other guardians, by fathers, grandparents or foster parents)
- pregnant or breastfeeding parents
- or people who have just had a baby
WIC provides
- an EBT card for healthy foods based on your nutritional needs
- breastfeeding education and support
- nutrition counseling
- and referrals to other social services
You do not have to be an Erie patient to participate in WIC at Erie.
The WIC program is offered by Erie with support from the Chicago Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Call (312) 666-3494 to schedule an appointment.
For our suburban locations call (847) 666-3494
Erie Family Health Centers received back-to-back 2024 and 2025 USA Today Top Workplaces Awards, Top Workplaces Purpose and Values Awards, and the Healthcare Industry Award. These awards recognize that our shared belief in Erie's mission and values drives everything we do.