Programs and Specialty Services

Programs and Specialty Services Available for Patients

Our experts use up-to-date, evidence-based principles to care for our patients. We are committed to comprehensive care and have a variety of programs for both common and complex conditions.

Gender Pathways Program

The Gender Pathways Program provides gender-affirming care to transgender and nonbinary patients, with a multidisciplinary team of specialists dedicated to helping you achieve your individualized transition-related goals. We are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive setting where everyone can feel safe to be themselves. We believe that everyone deserves high-quality health care that respects and validates their gender identity.

Family Planning and Contraception

Northwestern Medicine Family Planning and Contraception provides patients with personalized, high-quality care. We offer family planning care including complex contraception consultations, laparoscopic and hysteroscopic sterilization procedures, and pregnancy terminations in the first and second trimesters.

Centering Pregnancy Group Prenatal Care

Centering Pregnancy is group prenatal care. During each prenatal visit, you will meet with your care team and other people with due dates similar to yours. Each visit is two hours long and includes discussions on topics that are important for the phase of pregnancy you’re in. We will check in with your baby to make sure everything is going well.

You will still have some individual appointments at the beginning and end of your pregnancy, and for ultrasounds, but most of your prenatal care will happen with your group. It’s not a pregnancy class — it’s a new approach to prenatal care.

Research shows that people who participate in Centering Pregnancy have more success with breastfeeding and are more satisfied with their prenatal care.

We do not require a COVID-19 vaccine to participate in Centering Pregnancy at Northwestern Medicine. However, we do require all participants to wear a mask.

If you feel unwell the day of a session, please stay home. We will reschedule a visit for when you have recovered.

Cancer Genetics

Patients with cancer and their families have a high risk of breast or ovarian cancer. The goal of cancer genetics is to identify people with an increased risk of cancer. This can help prevent cancer or detect it early.

With experts in the Division of Clinical Genetics, our physicians specialize in cancer genetics and preventing of gynecologic cancer. We provide preventive care for patients with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

Through surveillance and minimally invasive surgery, we can reduce the risks due to these mutations.

Women's Health Physical Therapy

Our team of highly skilled, compassionate physical therapists offer a range of treatment plans. They can help you achieve your goals and improve your quality of life.

Learn more about our physical therapy program.

Social Work

A social worker is available in Prentice Ambulatory Care Clinic to meet the psychosocial needs of patients. They can help you with:

• Baby supplies, including a car seat and a crib
• Transportation issues
• Labor and delivery and parenting classes
• Domestic violence or abuse issues
• Emergency shelter needs
• Options counseling, such as termination, adoption and guardianship
• Substance abuse
• Paternity testing
• Mood changes and postpartum depression
• Preexisting mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, hopelessness and ideas of suicide or homicide

Note that these are just examples of what we can help you with. Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns. To contact a social worker, please call 312.926.3272.

COMPASS

The COMPASS Program offers support for depression and mental health during and after pregnancy. We offer treatment options including medication and talk therapy. Our team tracks your symptoms and tailors your treatment plan using evidence-based approaches.

Services

Our care team includes a care coordinator, a perinatal psychiatrist, a maternal–fetal medicine physician, a licensed therapist and a clinical liaison. They provide mental health care within the prenatal care offices of the fourteenth floor of Galter.

Specialized services include:

• Treatment programs (individual therapy or medication management)
• Collaboration with you and your physician
• Pre-conception consultations
• Treatment during pregnancy and up to a year postpartum

The obstetric and mental health teams coordinate care together.

Conditions we treat

• Depression
• Postpartum depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• All other mental health concerns

Nutritional Programs

Northwestern Medicine offers a variety of nutritional programs tailored to meet the needs of each patient. Registered dietitians will help you develop long-term goals and create food plans that are sustainable and complement your individual lifestyle and preferences.

Our specialists focus on teaching you how to plan and prepare meals, modify your favorite recipes and make better choices when grocery shopping or dining out. Our Registered Dietitians will also help you understand how to manage or improve conditions/diseases with nutrition.

If you want to improve your diet or have other health goals, talk to your physician about a referral to nutrition services. We provide a compassionate environment for learning, along with accountability that promotes success in achieving your goals.