Is Swedish (first hill) too far away to deliver at?

Mrs.RTH

I'm five weeks along and still have to choose where I want to have prenatal care and deliver my baby. I've been considering Swedish on First Hill since their facilities look really nice (and they have nurse midwives which is the route I want to go) but I'm wondering if that's too far away. I live in Lake Stevens so it's about an hour drive depending on traffic. I don't mind it for prenatal appointments but I'm worried it might be too far away when I'm in labor and trying to get to the hospital. I don't want to hit bad rush hour traffic and have the baby in the back of the car lol! Providence is the only hospital that's close to us but it doesn't look as nice as Swedish and they don't have the soaking tubs, etc. that I really would like to have. I'm wondering what people who have experience think? Is that too far away or should it be fine? We are taking a tour of Swedish on Friday and I was also thinking about maybe looking at Evergreen in Kirkland but that's only about a ten minute difference.

Alli923

That could be a long and uncomfortable ride if you are in labor. I loved my experience at Swedish, but have also heard amazing things about Evergreen in Kirkland.  That would be much closer to you, and if there is traffic it would be much more than a 10 min. difference. Kirkland to Seattle can be a brutal commute depending on time of day.

cmcmillan

Are you sure Providence doesn't have soaking tubs, I swear their was one in my bathroom when having my boys.  But I could be mistaken since I wasn't using it.  Providence is pretty nice, might be worth taking a tour to really see it, the set up is amazing, lots of us north-end girls had great experiences there.  

Evergreen would probably be the next closest hospital.   

fyziksgirl

I would say go where you're comfortable. Remember, for MOST people labor takes a long time, possibly even days of early labor! So it's not like in the movies where your water breaks and OMGWEHAVETOGONOOOOOOOOW! THE BABY'S COMING!!!!!! You'll have time. You can also head over there somewhat early if you want when labor isn't as strong and walk around the area or the floor of the hospital to get things going and/or get a hotel room closer to the hospital and wait there for things to keep picking up. But it's unlikely things will progress so fast and shockingly that all of a sudden you need to go NOW and it's rush hour. If things are picking up and rush hour is approaching, you can head over early. If you hit the point where you should go in but it's the middle of rush hour, you can probably wait another hour or two or three for it to die down before you head over. And besides, if you want a natural birth some of the most common advice is to labor at home as long as possible, anyway!

All of the midwife groups I've interviewed said that they will avoid Evergreen hospital if they can and go to UW medical center (evidently very OOH birth transfer friendly!) or, if that's full, Swedish, as long as it's not an emergency when Evergreen was closest. I'm not sure exactly why, I think Evergreen is just a little less friendly towards natural birth, or possibly just OOH birth. Just thought I'd throw that in there.

To me, it's much more important to be comfortable where and with who I'm birthing than it is to be right down the street. Labor is (usually) not an emergency. If it turns into one, you can stop at the closer hospital, but that is not common. Just my two cents!

Alli923

Yes, you may or may not hit traffic, however when you're in labor and contracting, a bumpy car ride is about the last thing you want to do, especially for an hour +.

I would highly suggest touring Prov, Evergreen, and Swedish.  Determine if you want a midwife or OB, and determine what is most important to you, the doc or the hospital.  Most doctors only have privileges at certain locations.

dosafyre

I think the Evergreen Midwife program was cut recently...people are pretty pissed off about it, from what I gather. That leaves you more likely to have an OB attending, and I've heard their C-section rate is pretty high. Doesn't hurt to tour places. I delivered at Swedish Ballard and loved it...but have heard First Hill can be a bit more of a factory just because of how many labors they see each month. All things to consider.

Alli923

dosafyre:

I think the Evergreen Midwife program was cut recently...people are pretty pissed off about it, from what I gather. That leaves you more likely to have an OB attending, and I've heard their C-section rate is pretty high. Doesn't hurt to tour places. I delivered at Swedish Ballard and loved it...but have heard First Hill can be a bit more of a factory just because of how many labors they see each month. All things to consider.

C-section rates at Swedish and Evergreen tend to be higher because they have more patients and the facilities to care for higher risk patients.

cmcmillan

I just want to add that yes, the car ride while in labor sucks. I live 10 minutes from Providence and I was holing the "oh *** bar" the whole time to keep my ass off the seat.  I would have killed my husband if it was an hour to the hospital.  We also have a local gal on here from Lake Stevens who had to call 911 to get to Prov because her labor came on so fast, while she was at home.   

You can't assume you know what your labor is going to be like. My 2 were completely different. 

smilingjb

I live in Mill Creek and ended up going to Swedish First Hill.  This was my first so I was okay with that, but if I do it again I will be getting a closer hospital.  I was lucky and my water broke so I didn't have the labor pains to contend with.  I know I did keep on dreaming that I went into labor when it was rush hour traffic.  It is totally up to you and what you feel comfortable with.  GL!!

misteezagirl

I had my first child at Swedish First Hill and I loved it, we were coming from Lynnwood and hit Monday morning rush hour traffic, but made it to the hospital with almost 10 more hours until I actually had him!  Whatever you are more comfortable with, I am more partial to Swedish myself.  If you are looking for the midwife route the Swedish midwifery group actually delivers and is located at Swedish Ballard which is a little bit closer than First Hill but not that much.  I am using their midwifery group for my next pregnancy, although there is only one soaking tub. Good luck on your search!