Northwest Community vs Alexian Bros vs St. Alexius?

bumpuser9130703

I can see this board is pretty quite but I'm hoping some people check in occasionally!!

 I'll be 32 weeks next week and we are moving to the Schaumburg/Elk Grove area. This will be the 3rd time (due to moves) I've switched OBs and I am super nervous. The last move was easy because I had tons of friends/family in the area so I was able to use their recommendations to find an OB and I already knew which hospital I wanted to deliver at. This time I have no clue!

What I am really hoping for is a minimal intervention/med-free delivery. My biggest fear is being strapped to bed and not being allowed to get up and move around. I was looking forward to my hospital having tubs to labor in, but looking online I can't tell which of these hospitals have tubs (if any). It's not a deal breaker if they don't have tubs, but it would be nice. More than anything I want an environment where the nurses will be supportive of my choices. Obviously I want an OB that will be on board too, but let's face it, during delivery you spend way more time with L&D nurses than your OB.

Anyone feel strongly about any of these hospitals? Also open to OB recs. 

 TIA!!

lageorgiapaperie

I gave birth at Alexian Bros. in 2011. I think St. Alexis has a new women's hospital now? Not 100% sure. So, here's my experience at Alexian Bros.

They had 1 room with a tub. You can labor in there but can't give birth in the tub. It's first come first serve, so you might not get that room, but can request it when you get to the hospital.

My birth was complicated and a month early. I had to be put on mag sulfate so I was tied to the bed. I did get an epidural as well (I had always planned on one) . Oh, and I got pitocin too b/c the mag sulfate slows labor down. 

 My birth was basically the opposite of what you want, but again, I had a few complications that required medical interventions. And I wasn't allowed to leave my bed for 24 hours after giving birth! DS was in the NICU so that was rough. But the safest thing for us. 

Hopefully you can hear some more typical experiences. GL! 

TMDMJAOCT07

I delivered at NCH in 2010, they have since opened a new L&D and post-partum section and from what I hear it's beautiful. I don't know if they have tubs now or not, I can't remember if they did when I delivered, I didn't ask.  I had a great experience, the nurses were all fantastic (well all but one, but that was at least in post-partum so it wasn't as bad).  I was able to move around in labor, and they had rocking chairs in the rooms that you could sit in as well. I ended up with an epidural, even though I didn't want one originally, so after that I was stuck in bed, which was fine since I was numb anyway.

 St. Alexius does have a new woman and children's hospital and its really nice. My best friend just delivered there in May and I was really impressed with how nice it was.  I have heard mixed reviews on the staff though, so I think that just falls with luck of the draw. 

I'm friends with a few L&D nurses at Alexian Bros and I know a few of them recommend Dr. Murz (sp?) and the midwife in his office.

 I have heard great things about Dr. Johnson (Peter, Jeff and one other) and Dr. Orhan, and they are all at St. Alexius and their offices are right in the Doctors Buildings right next to the hospital. 

Good Luck

 

boggs507

I delivered at St Alexius in 2/2011 and had a great experience.  I made it clear from the get go that I wanted to be able to get up and walk and not be confined to my bed the entire time I was laboring.  The nurses were totally fine with that and let me be up walking as much as I wanted, but I had to go on the monitor for 20 minutes every hour - I could either sit in bed or in a rocker for this.

The med-free portion of your labor is really something you need to discuss with your doc as they are the ones who help determine those things - not the hospital.

St Alexius did just open a new women's hospital in April, so it has all new everything and private rooms, which you weren't guarunteed at the old hospital.  With DS, I wanted to avoid St Alexius at all costs because of that and because I wanted to deliver in the new women's hospital at NCH, but I went into labor during the blizzard and how no choice in where I got to deliver since all the roads were closed and where ever the ambulance could get is where we were going. I ended up loving the nursing staff at St Alexius and even attending their breastfeeding group every Monday during my maternity leave and found it incredibly helpful.

I toured NCH while I was pregnant that go around and it was their new women's hospital, but I still don't think they had tubs - maybe they had 1 or 2, but they weren't available in every room.  It is a nice hospital though.

I would tour each hospital you're considering and also keep in mind your distance to each one. 

lumosmaxima

I delivered at the new women and children's hospital in April (haven't updated my siggy, I know) and had a wonderful experience. The L&D staff was very respectful of my desires, there was no FTM condescension. Even when it came time to push, they encouraged me to listen to my body and do what felt right. The postpartum nurse that I had for the majority of my stay was AMAZING. I can't speak highly enough of her. I was a hormonal mess and she was so encouraging. I attend their bf group and the lactation consultants are great.

Big private rooms, they provide one meal a day for husbands/partners. No labor tubs.  

bumpuser9130703

lageorgiapaperie:

I gave birth at Alexian Bros. in 2011. I think St. Alexis has a new women's hospital now? Not 100% sure. So, here's my experience at Alexian Bros.

They had 1 room with a tub. You can labor in there but can't give birth in the tub. It's first come first serve, so you might not get that room, but can request it when you get to the hospital.

My birth was complicated and a month early. I had to be put on mag sulfate so I was tied to the bed. I did get an epidural as well (I had always planned on one) . Oh, and I got pitocin too b/c the mag sulfate slows labor down. 

 My birth was basically the opposite of what you want, but again, I had a few complications that required medical interventions. And I wasn't allowed to leave my bed for 24 hours after giving birth! DS was in the NICU so that was rough. But the safest thing for us. 

Hopefully you can hear some more typical experiences. GL! 

 

Thanks!

bumpuser9130703

TMDMJAOCT07:

I delivered at NCH in 2010, they have since opened a new L&D and post-partum section and from what I hear it's beautiful. I don't know if they have tubs now or not, I can't remember if they did when I delivered, I didn't ask.  I had a great experience, the nurses were all fantastic (well all but one, but that was at least in post-partum so it wasn't as bad).  I was able to move around in labor, and they had rocking chairs in the rooms that you could sit in as well. I ended up with an epidural, even though I didn't want one originally, so after that I was stuck in bed, which was fine since I was numb anyway.

 St. Alexius does have a new woman and children's hospital and its really nice. My best friend just delivered there in May and I was really impressed with how nice it was.  I have heard mixed reviews on the staff though, so I think that just falls with luck of the draw. 

I'm friends with a few L&D nurses at Alexian Bros and I know a few of them recommend Dr. Murz (sp?) and the midwife in his office.

 I have heard great things about Dr. Johnson (Peter, Jeff and one other) and Dr. Orhan, and they are all at St. Alexius and their offices are right in the Doctors Buildings right next to the hospital. 

Good Luck

 

 Thanks! I actually have an appointment with Dr. Mruz tomorrow but I was disappointed to find out there is no longer a midwife in the office. 

bumpuser9130703

boggs507:

I delivered at St Alexius in 2/2011 and had a great experience.  I made it clear from the get go that I wanted to be able to get up and walk and not be confined to my bed the entire time I was laboring.  The nurses were totally fine with that and let me be up walking as much as I wanted, but I had to go on the monitor for 20 minutes every hour - I could either sit in bed or in a rocker for this.

The med-free portion of your labor is really something you need to discuss with your doc as they are the ones who help determine those things - not the hospital.

St Alexius did just open a new women's hospital in April, so it has all new everything and private rooms, which you weren't guarunteed at the old hospital.  With DS, I wanted to avoid St Alexius at all costs because of that and because I wanted to deliver in the new women's hospital at NCH, but I went into labor during the blizzard and how no choice in where I got to deliver since all the roads were closed and where ever the ambulance could get is where we were going. I ended up loving the nursing staff at St Alexius and even attending their breastfeeding group every Monday during my maternity leave and found it incredibly helpful.

I toured NCH while I was pregnant that go around and it was their new women's hospital, but I still don't think they had tubs - maybe they had 1 or 2, but they weren't available in every room.  It is a nice hospital though.

I would tour each hospital you're considering and also keep in mind your distance to each one. 

Thanks!

bumpuser9130703

ChicagoSummer:

I delivered at the new women and children's hospital in April (haven't updated my siggy, I know) and had a wonderful experience. The L&D staff was very respectful of my desires, there was no FTM condescension. Even when it came time to push, they encouraged me to listen to my body and do what felt right. The postpartum nurse that I had for the majority of my stay was AMAZING. I can't speak highly enough of her. I was a hormonal mess and she was so encouraging. I attend their bf group and the lactation consultants are great.

Big private rooms, they provide one meal a day for husbands/partners. No labor tubs.  

Thanks!