Woodwinds/ Saint Joe's opinions?

spritzlover

Hi everyone!

Only just recently pregnant but trying to decide on a hospital so that I can choose a mw/ob.

I am really leaning toward Woodwinds but live closer to St. Joe's. Any positive or negative experiences with either hospital for births? Did you take any of their classes?

TIA

Kpeterson18

I have heard great things about Woodwinds, my good friend is a nurse in labor and delivery.  If I could go there I would but I live in Hugo and its way too far.  Good Luck in finding the best fit!!

MrsGo4Hockeychick

I live in Hugo, and will be going to either Woodwinds or one of the birth centers when we have a second. 

I would go to St Joes, but they don't do VBACs there.

Joes is a great choice, especially if you are thinking about a natural birth. They have the lowest c/s rate in the state, by far, and that's a good thing whether you want a med-free birth or not.  

BeccaMarie

I had an awesome experience at Woodwinds, but wouldn't feel hesitant about delivery at St. Joe's either.

 

 

NoBeautyQueen

I've delivered at St Joe's twice and had a great experience both times. Since they're in the same system, you can take the classes at whichever location works best for the timing during your pregnancy. I did take the birthing and breastfeeding classes at St Joe's, but it wasn't necessary to take them at the hospital where you were delivering. You can always tour the hospital where you will deliver if the timing works better to take a class at another location. The classes were so-so, not much beyond what I could read myself in a book or on the internet. If you want a specific birthing method, you'd have to find a separate class.

Woodwinds does have a more modern feel since it is a newer facility. St John's has some updates, but you can tell it is slightly older. I did spend some time in their triage room for an external cephalic version and that was not one of my favorite experiences. They'd taken a regular size room and split it with what seemed to just be a sheet of drywall because we could hear everything in the room next to us. Fortunately a triage room is not someplace you'd spend a lot of time and when we commented on the thin wall the nurse assured me the regular rooms were not like that at all. St Joe's is laid out weird since it is very old and had numerous additions. I liked being close to home though so DH could go home to take care of the dog when we were there for #1 and go home to visit #1 (and have #1 come to visit with grandma) easily when it was time for #2.

Honestly, I'd find your doctor or midwife first. You're going to be seeing them a lot more than you'll be at the hospital for the birth. I love my doctor and he only delivers at St Joe's so it was an easy decision for me to stick with my existing doctor instead of finding a doctor that would deliver at another hospital.

*sallymad*

I delivered at St. Joes and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about it. I had a c/s but one thing I really liked was that was that you stay in your room for labor/delivery and recovery. The rooms are large and private, we rarely heard or saw anybody else while there for 4 days. 99% of our nurses were great, we had just one bad one but honestly all the good ones totally make up for her. I would highly recommend St. Joes!

spritzlover

Thank you so much for all of your responses!

I am definitely attracted to the fact that you can stay in the same room for the entire process (at both places).

I think we'll just end up touring both hospitals, talk to the mw, and see what feels best. But if they're the same then probably St. Joe's as it's closer.

Thanks again and I look forward to chatting with you all in the future!

Frostytoes

I would definitely recommend St. Joe's.  I delivered there on April 1st with a midwife and have nothing but positive things to say.  They followed my birth plan, the nurses were very helpful, the room was nice, and overall I had a wonderful experience.   

manniejean

I just found out that I am pregnant, but have had an amazing experince at Woodwinds. I wouldn't be alive or pregnant if it weren't for them. In october I had a blood clot in my lung and went to Woodwinds and ended up staying in the maternity ward. The nurses and staff are amazing, they are so helpful and are focused on your needs and desires. if you are interested in a water birth I would go to woodwinds. We were going to deliver at Woodwinds until we found out our pregnancy is high risk now we have to give birth at the U so we can have chopper access to the mayo in rochester if our baby is born coumadin dependent. go with woodwinds you wont regret it:)