Has anyone done a water birth at Abbott NW? My husband and I are looking at NW and Southdale but are concidering a water birth and they don't do them at Southdale. Any moms that have done this at NW and have any good or even bad experiences I would really appreciate hearing about your experience.
Re: Water Birth at Abbott Northwest
I had a water birth at Abbot, and I wasn't impressed. Everything went fine, especially considering how quick my labors were (< 3 hours from start to finish). But they seemed to be figuring it out as they went. They only have blow up tubs until they open the new birth center, and they didn't pump up the tub enough, so water kept spilling out. I had a Health Partners Midwife (not the one I saw for prenatal) and she really offered very little support or information.
My birth photographer, who has had two water births got fed up and finally stepped in and offered some suggestions. I was so grateful she was there. I know they have only offered them since August 2011, and our L&D nurse told us afterward that it was her first water birth.
I would absolutely do a water birth again, I'd just make sure that the person "delivering" had more experience with water births.
I don't have any experience with NW but I will be delivering at HCMC which has a designated room for a waterbirth on thier midwife unit. It is an actual tub so you wouldn't have to worry about the tub being inflated or not inflated enough. I know HCMC is not everyone's first thought of a place to deliver but thier midwife program is amazing! Good luck in your search for the right birth center for you!