Question about choosing a hospital...

sucrets4

We moved last year and I saw a random gyn for a follow up pap and an annual. Now that we're going to ttc soon, I realize that I need to get on the ball with doing some research about doctors and hospitals and such.

So, what is the farthest away you'd drive to a hospital to deliver at (barring emergencies, of course)?

The closest nice hospital is 14 miles/22 min away (according to Google). It has a Level 2 NICU. The closest Level 3 NICU is twice the distance - 32 miles/45 min.

I am hoping that our next LO will not need a NICU stay (of course), but since they don't know why I had Em so early, I think it's wise to be prepared. I think that I'd rather had a dr that delivers at the hospital with the Level 3 NICU because it would provide me with peace of mind, but is it crazy to plan to drive that far?

mrsbnlmel

We have very similar distances to our local hospitals, about 10 miles and 25 miles. We chose the one further with the better NICU. In the end I was on bed rest at the hospital before delivery so the distance didn't matter. My only concern was not making it to the hospital, so that obviously worked out just fine! 

ShannonSky

DD1 was born at 33w6d due to pPROM/distress. We had her at a hospital approx 35min away with a birthing center and midwives and a level II NICU. This time around, we had the choice of sticking with our midwives and returning to the birthing center, or going to a hospital about 10 min away with a level III NICU, but a reputation as a baby factory and we'd need a new OB. We decided to go back to the midwives - I know them, I feel comfortable with their care, and they did a great job with DD1. So far, I've been happy with the decision, especially now that we're past 32 weeks and I know the NICU would be able to handle the baby if she were born now.

ChickensFive

I probably wouldn't drive more than an hour. The hospital my girls were/are at is 30-35 minutes away. Most of the hospitals around me are about 20 minutes away so an extra 10 minutes was not a big deal.

I would choose the level 3 NICU.

jcsntms06

I live about 5 minutes from a hospital that only has a special care nursery and they are out of my network. We drove about 25 minutes away to a hospital that was in my network, but they have a level 3 NICU. Obviously when I decided on this hospital, we had no idea we were going to need them. I would say go to the hospital you feel comfortable with. If that means going to the house that is 45 minutes away, do that.

OscarQ

mrsbnlmel:

We have very similar distances to our local hospitals, about 10 miles and 25 miles. We chose the one further with the better NICU. In the end I was on bed rest at the hospital before delivery so the distance didn't matter. My only concern was not making it to the hospital, so that obviously worked out just fine! 

I was just going to say that you also have to factor in that you may end up on bed rest in the hospital too.  Not that the distance would matter to you but it would matter to your DH and family.  My DH was exhausted from commuting to work 60+ mins in one direction, then coming home to care for our pets, then drive 20+ mins the opposite direction to see me and then drive back home.  Rinse, repeat.