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.
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.
Many of our patients deliver at our partner hospitals:
Northwestern Memorial Hospital – Prentice
serves our Erie locations:
Endeavor Health - Swedish Hospital
serves our Erie locations:
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.
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
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, 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
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. Our hospital partners may also have support groups and classes for various stages of your pregnancy journey.
Perinatal (including Post-Partum) Support Group
- Language: in English
- When: 1:30 PM
First and Third Wednesday of each month - Format: Telehealth
- Description: A safe space to explore various topics that are significant to motherhood.
Perinatal (including Post-Partum) Support Group
- Language: in Spanish
- When: 12:00 PM
First and Third Wednesday of each month - Format: Telehealth
- Description: A safe space to explore various topics that are significant to motherhood.
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 and Top Workplaces Purpose and Values Awards, and we received the 2024 Healthcare Industry Award. These awards recognize that our shared belief in Erie's mission and values drives everything we do.