"New Here" Long Beach Moms - Where to Deliver?

glindaca

Hi, I'm pretty new here.  I've been lurking a little bit.  I live in Long Beach and am 28 weeks pregnant with my 1st.

I'm conflicted about where to deliver. Everybody says Long Beach Memorial is the best. I know they have a ton of great things to offer.  I went on the tour last night and was really turned off by the lack of private rooms, the size of the shared rooms (TINY) and the fact that my husband would have to leave at 10pm.  I'd love to hear anybody's experience delivering at Memorial.

My doctor will also deliver at St. Mary's but I know nothing about them besides the fact that I'd be guaranteed a private room.  Anybody deliver at St. Mary's?  

NewMommyBarbie

I'm a Long Beach Momma, but I'm actually delivering in OC. As far as Long Beach hospitals go, I continuously hear that Long Beach Memorial is the best. I haven't even heard of St. Mary's! Good luck

glindaca

Thanks for the reply!  I know Memorial has the best care.  I was really turned off by the tiny shared rooms and that my husband would have to be out by 10pm.  I'm trying to figure out if I should just suck it up since everything else there is so great.  Where are you delivering in OC?

Yamjo

St. Mary's is an old hospital in a somewhat scary part of town.  Memorial has one of the best perinatology groups (high risk OB) and the NICU is also one of the best if anything goes wrong.  St. Mary's has a small NICU that is run by the Memorial Group; however, if the infant is really sick they will move her/him to Memorial.  The lack of private rooms is a big negative especially if you don't need any of the high risk services, but then again nobody knows exactly when you might need them.  You are tired as it is and to hear another crying baby (other than your own) just adds to the stress.  I know this because I used to work at Memorial but now work in the South Bay area where the hospital has all private rooms.

glindaca

Yamjo:

St. Mary's is an old hospital in a somewhat scary part of town.  Memorial has one of the best perinatology groups (high risk OB) and the NICU is also one of the best if anything goes wrong.  St. Mary's has a small NICU that is run by the Memorial Group; however, if the infant is really sick they will move her/him to Memorial.  The lack of private rooms is a big negative especially if you don't need any of the high risk services, but then again nobody knows exactly when you might need them.  You are tired as it is and to hear another crying baby (other than your own) just adds to the stress.  I know this because I used to work at Memorial but now work in the South Bay area where the hospital has all private rooms.

 So if you had the choice between the 2 which would you go with Memorial?

Yamjo

Yes, because I have seen things go wrong unexpectedly. About 10% of all births require NICU admission, so why risk the health of your baby.

glindaca

Yamjo:

Yes, because I have seen things go wrong unexpectedly. About 10% of all births require NICU admission, so why risk the health of your baby.

 Thank you!  We decided to go with Memorial. 

ShaNeleFarmer

Hi Glinda!!

I am also a Long Beach Mom-but I will not be delivering at Memorial nor St. Mary's which are both located down the street. I am proud to say I will be delivering at an all PRIVATE suite labor, delivery, recovery, and post partum hospital Little Company of Mary in San Pedro (15 min. away). Now there is also one is Torrance which is newer and has more private rooms, but my doctor is located right across the street from San Pedro.

The only thing I am thinking though is..you are 28 weeks and I am guessing have an established doctor so you may be able to only go to the hospitals he/she is contracted with.

Good Luck!

Let me know if I can help

ShaNele' 

glindaca

ShaNeleFarmer:

Hi Glinda!!

I am also a Long Beach Mom-but I will not be delivering at Memorial nor St. Mary's which are both located down the street. I am proud to say I will be delivering at an all PRIVATE suite labor, delivery, recovery, and post partum hospital Little Company of Mary in San Pedro (15 min. away). Now there is also one is Torrance which is newer and has more private rooms, but my doctor is located right across the street from San Pedro.

The only thing I am thinking though is..you are 28 weeks and I am guessing have an established doctor so you may be able to only go to the hospitals he/she is contracted with.

Good Luck!

Let me know if I can help

ShaNele' 

Hi ShaNele'!  So nice to meet another Long Beach momma!  When are you due?  Sounds like we're neighbors... I live about 3 minutes from Memorial.  

Little Co. of Mary sounds awesome!  You are right though, at this point I'm pretty established with my doctor.  And because my insurance is an HMO I don't have too many choices right now. We're just going to suck it up and hope for a private room.  I have a friend who delivered at Memorial last week and was able to get one so that gives me some hope.