Would you use your connections?

carolinah · January 2010

My family has an affiliation to a local hospital (as in it's named after my great grandfather). However, this is NOT where I am delivering my baby. When I found out I was pregnant I dwelled over whether or not I should deliver my baby at this hospital in hopes that I would get amazing treatment. I decided instead to stick with my long time dr and deliver at the hospital in which she has clearance at. After meeting with some of the other dr's in the practice I am getting a little more concerned, thinking this might not be the right place for us. We also discovered that we are now a high risk pregnancy. Lately DH and I have been thinking this might be the time to use our connections and suck it up and use the family name to get some extra special love and treatment when our LO arrives. I feel awful doing this but Im thinking this might be the one time in life where its ok to name drop.

What would you do?

BlueRidgeMama · January 2010

I would go to your namesake hospital.

leneae10 · January 2010

BlueRidgeMama:
I would go to your namesake hospital.

This. Definitely. Let them take care of you.

Shandie_725 · January 2010

I would go with whichever hospital has the better facilities to handle a high-risk pregnancy.

If you're feeling uneasy about your OB, I'd interview around but not limit it to one hospital or another.

VampyAuthor · January 2010

I'm originally from the Cinci area and I tend to chose hospitals with the best reputation.

prego760 · January 2010

Have a good experience and go with where you'd feel more comfortable. Name dropping is no big deal as long as you don't use the line "Don't you know who I am!"

MBandBud · January 2010

IMHO a hospital is only so equipped based on the people that work there, the equipment and procedures they have, and the processes they have in place. Also very importantly the experience of the doc doing the delivery. I would focus your attention on that as I don't feel like name dropping can influence that reality. If you think it will help make you more comfortable during your stay, then sure, name drop. But in the end I would evaluate why you are high risk and be sure the hospital/doc you are delivering with has this type of experience/system in place for your situation. I wouldn't want them 'winging it' given my name.

mylove071407 · January 2010

MarcnShaun:
I would go with whichever hospital has the better facilities to handle a high-risk pregnancy.

If you're feeling uneasy about your OB, I'd interview around but not limit it to one hospital or another.

This.

dori1678 · January 2010

I would not base my decision on this. Just because you are connected to the hospital doesn't mean you will have special treatment.

I would actually be scared that I would get bad treatment from some disgruntled workers.

mysticporter · January 2010

It's hard to say. I generally have some objections to using any personal connections for special treatment for myself, but as long as it doesn't hurt someone else I don't care one way or the other if someone else does. Of course, there's no guaranties if you switch, either. It seems unlikely that you will love all of the doctor's who might be on call or there to deliver at the other hospital, either. Despite what your family has done for the hospital, it may not influence how an individual physician responds to it, or the hospital itself may discourage special treatment. Some people may even respond quite poorly if they think you are name dropping, so to speak. I guess it depends on your family's specific experience with that hospital in the past.

JhawkCE · January 2010

Well, if your family isn't still active ($$$) with the hospital chances are they don't care who your related to.

If they have a better facility and NICU and you are concerned then switch regardless.

If your family still has clout ($$$) at the hospital then why not? I enjoy similar benefits and while I don't abuse them to get unnecessary medical treatment, I do take advantage of the perks (like free bedpans!!!). Stick out tongue

MrsDCruz · January 2010

I would go to the namesake hospital in honor of your family.

cutie420311 · January 2010

I don't think the hospital is going to care one bit who you are. If you were THE guy they named it after, yeah m,aybe then. I doubt you're going to get special treatment, and I would go to whichever hospital is more capable of taking care of me rather than getting "special treatment"

bloverly · January 2010

Name drop it like its hot! LOL. Use 'em!

AmandaJane1 · January 2010

I would totally take advantage! There are certain times when using connections etc isn't necessary or appropriate, but when it comes to the arrival and health of your LO (and your health too!) I'd pull no punches and pull ALL the strings you can! Enjoy the special treatment

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