ST. JOSEPH'S VS NORTHWESTERN? (CHICAGO)

tony&tonas

I'm torn between which hospital to deliver at; St. Joseph's Hospital or Northwestern?  My doctors deliver at both hospitals, so I can choose either. I know NW has a great reputation and seems to be recommended by many people just because it is Northwestern. However, my doctors told me either hospital would be a great choice, and that I would get great care at either hospital, but that the only thing that differs (besides the shiny new remodeling of NW) is the type of experience I wish to have. I am told NW has many trained nurses, but that they are NEW nurses, some just 6-8 months being an RN, while I would receive care at St. Joe's from veteran nurses with more experiences under their belt. Also, she said that I would get a more personal experience at St. Joe's over NW, because of the large staff at Northwestern nurses change frequently. AND that if I had an epidural, I would receive it by a resident at NW and not by a true doctor like at St. Joe's. So Has anyone had experience with either, or recommend one over the other??? 

Being it's my first baby, I would like a more personal expereience, over and "in and out" experience,  you know?? Thanks for your thoughts!!

 

katemreed

The problem with St. joes is they have closed down the unit a lot in the past few years and reopened and a lot of the seasoned staff have left. they are mostly staffed by agency nurses now ( i know because i have worked agency there in the past). I would say that you will get good care but if there are complications with your pregnancy NW has a level III NICU and being a teaching hospital there are a lot more resources available than at Joes. however NW is a baby factory so the prioritized care is not there that you woudl get at joes. the unit at joes is run down but just because NW is shiny and new that does not mean you would get the best care either. it really depends on a day to day basis. but NW is a teaching hospital so there will be med students, nursing students, etc so if you are not willing to do that then joes may be what you  are looking for. to some people the image is what they look for and NW def has that going for it.

KLSC04

I did not have a great NW experience the first time and I'm not delivering there for the second time.  I don't know anything about St. Joseph's though to compare.

SaraEmily7

I delivered at Prentice twice, both at the old and new hospitals.  I chose Prentice the first time because I was having twins and wanted to know there was a good NICU if they needed it.  They ended up coming out fine, but I had bleeding complications with my c-section (unplanned), and being at Northwestern probably saved me a hysterectomy.  The docs were able to page a doctor who had experience clamping off uterine arteries, and they were able to keep me from the hysterectomy, the ICU, and even from a blood transfusion.  Because I delivered at Prentice the first time, I had the opportunity to do it again a second time.

I agree with the previous posts that there are a lot of staff around, but both times I was there I loved 9/10 of my nurses - and it wasn't the young nurses I had trouble with, either.

I highly recommend Prentice because you know that if you or the baby has any trouble, you can be taken care of there.

darlawoods

I completely understand your concerns as a first time mom. ?We are also expecting and will be delivering at Northwestern. ?I must admit I am a bit biased since I am a student there and have received excellent care as a patient as well. ?

I know nurses that work there and have worked there for years. ?

Northwestern is a teaching hospital, so you will get a resident/intern but you can request a doctor, they will not refuse your offer. ?Also if you feel you want a more personal experience, I would recommend a doula. ?We are going that route for the personal experience and they will take care of all the chaos of nurses, etc. ?

You might want to think about your birth plan, your wishes for your child and the level of quality service you will receive.

Hope that helps!?

pouka1

I didn't deliver at Northwestern, but was flow there by Air Angels afteri delivered at another hospital in the burbs and can say nothing but good things about every part of the hospital.  From the Apprentice staff to the ICU to the nurses that helped changed my bed sheets.  I lived there for 3 weeks.  And never felt that i had in adequate care.  I often found that i had an overload of information if i asked a question.  Just my opnion, but i am bias as i wouldn't be here if not for the OB department, and surgial team i had there.

ChicNotGeek

I'll be delivering at Northwestern/Prentice ... but I've been a patient at St. Joe's and I thought it was a horrible experience.  I went there for migraine a few years back, and they treated me like a drug seeker ... even though my migraine doctor has a headache clinic/facility that comprises TWO floors of the hospital.  I thought it was very unprofessional.  I will only go back if it's an emergency, I'm unconscious, and there's no other choice.

StephB25

I am probably delivering at Northwestern.  I asked my OB about natural birth, and she said, if you want a natural birth you may want to deliver at a different hospital!  I also have a few friends who are L&D nurses, 2 at NW, and they said it is more clinical and has a high patient load, so I may want a doula in order to get the experinece I want- but they still recommend NW!

honey112101

Northwestern!