Pls tell me about your experiences at NAMC or AABC

purpletulip

We're touring both NAMC and the Austin Area Birth Center in early August and then making a decision, but I'd love to hear your experiences.

What did you like/dislike? What OBGYN or midwife did you have specifically?

Thanks!

m_and_m

I specifically did not go to AABC for a couple reasons, but mainly I felt they had the drawbacks of a standard OB practice without the benefits-

1, I wanted one MW during my labour and delivery, not a new one every 8 hours.

2, I wanted to build a relationship with my MW and not have to see a different provider each time.

3, They have been known to falsify their statistics, which made me question all their other practices.

 

I went with Birthwise Birth Center instead- 1 MW, 2 apprentices. Same people at every appt and same people during the birth from start to finish.

carlinlp

I had my 3rd at NAMC and have photographed quite a few births there.  The new wing is gorgeous and I really like the facility.  The only drawbacks in my opinion are that they do not have birthing tubs or other items that make natural labor easier (birthing balls, bars, etc.)  The nursing staff is amazing and they are for the most part very into honoring your desired birth plan.  Moms looking for unmedicated births are respected for their wishes and not pressured.  The nursery staff is stellar.  It was a nursery nurse that saved Teagan's life when he stopped breathing.  The NICU there took care of both Teagan AND us, which was huge for us.  I cannot say enough good things about them. 

I also have clients (I am a birth photographer) who have used the birth center and have had wonderful things to say and I've yet to hear of a bad experience.  I will be photographing a birth there later this year and am excited to experience the facility as I've heard good things. 

I would say tour both and choose the one you feel the most comfortable in, both have wonderful reputations

Bookworm75

I had my 2nd child at NAMC and Dr Seeker w/Austin Area OBGYN was my OB. LOVE LOVE LOVE Dr Seeker. Cannot say enough about him. He delivered both my children and I would follow him anywhere. His nurses are awesome too! He has a new office now at NAMC w/lots of fancy new equipment and does a lot of u/s's which is nice for mama to get to see the baby so much during pgncy. Plus, if you want to know the gender, he'll tell you at 16wks instead of the normal 20wk and he guarantees it!

Liked my stay at NAMC, the new womens center just opened up after I delivered, so the rooms there are brand new, really nice and big, I'm told.

 Never looked into midwife or a birthing center. I'm pro-meds/OB/hospital when it comes to pushing out a 9lb baby out of my who-ha.

EDIT: I do not mean for this last part to come off as rude, judging or insulting if you are not pro-meds! To each their own, I say. I think you should do what feels right for you and yours.

2H2L

Mostly, I really liked our NAMC experience. Absolutely loved the nurse who stayed with me (after her shift should've been over even!) all through labor and delivery.  Delivery rooms are nice and spacious (recovery rooms, not so much).  I met with all 3 LCs at some point during our stay and found them helpful.  My OB is Dr. Cutler, and I really like her. Very proactive, listens well, easy to talk to, and I also love her nurse. Her nurse treated all my crazy questions like they were normal, serious concerns.

We had a very unpleasant experience with the NICU though, and if I had an inkling we would need the NICU again in the future, I would pick a different hospital based on our poor experience there alone.  We discussed all the problems with the NICU director and she assured us they would address them so no one else had to deal with them. Still, I can't get over the bad experience there. (Nurses flat out lied to us, we felt pressured and bullied, and didn't get to speak to actual doctors when we specifically requested a dr instead of a nurse, among other things.  And I don't mean I demanded a dr this second. I mean, I asked for one in the morning, an NP came instead, lied, and the dr. didn't show up until more than 24 hours later to bully us some more. )