Picking a hospital

xaudreyx2011

I need to decide where to deliver. But I can't. I have previously delivered at a large city hospital for my first 2 babies. I was really hoping to avoid the hour drive for every appointment this time. I switched to an ob that has a clinic in my neighborhood, but I was hoping to still deliver at a women's hospital in the city. I didn't think it would be an issue since it's within the same health network, but my ob really got cranky when I mentioned this. She feels that our small country hospital is just as good. ..which we don't even have a nicu. I also see a cardiologis in the city that specializes in adults with congenital defects (something I have) she got very defensive and said "we have cardiologists too". Ummm..not the same. My husband feels I'm being selfish because I don't want to drive to the city hospital an hour away. ...but most of the time I would be doing that with a 4 year old and a 2 year old. Not fun for any of us. What would you do?

lm45678

Are the only options the small country hospital and an hour drI've to the city? Not sure I totally understand.

But I will say that as a nurse, I would never deliver in a hospital without a NICU. Not everyone feels that way, but that's my opinion.

jaqualls

Honestly I would go where you want. Even if it means a drive. You have to keep your safety and your babies safety first. Your cardiologist knows you and your situation. and having a nicu could be necessary especially given that you have a heart condition

xaudreyx2011

Yes, my only options are the local hospital or the city hospital an hour away. I'll probably go back to the city. Ugh. I hate driving in the city, but having a nicu and better doctors is more important.

My cardiologist did a full work up on me (echo,stress test, holter monitor and MRI) and I've been fully cleared for now. I'll need a valve replacement in about 5 years though. My cardiologist will also do a fetal echo on my baby as well. So I'm not as concerned with being near him, but it is a comfort.

cattlebride

Our nearest nicu is 5 hours away, I believe. I don't think a nicu would be a requirement unless baby is high risk. We do have a hospital that deliver babies 30 and one 45 mins away. Our local hospitals will do prenatal care and transfer the health records to hospitals that deliver. Would something like that be possible for you?

Rosehip15

As a cardiology nurse who works with patients with CHD, I'd want to be at a hospital much more familiar with my condition.  It sounds as though you're repaired and quite stable, but still...  If I were you, at the minimum, I'd talk to your cardiologist to see if he feels the local hospital would be safe.