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South Florida Babies
Emjay221
member
Hospital advice for Broward (Coral Springs/Margate)??
Emjay221
member
I live in Coral Springs. I can choose from Coral Springs Medical Center, or Northwest, which is in Margate.
My BF and I live in Springs. As you probably know, the towns here literally
overlap. So, we have two hospitals within 5 minutes of us. Both have
maternity wards, but I've got no experience with either from an L&D
standpoint.
He seems set on the one Northwest. I don't see the point to go there since we would actually pass CSMC to get there. It's not a long drive, literally 2-3 miles apart, but seems pointless.
I delivered my last two babies back home and I never saw a problem with that hospital and it was the only option, so I never really put much thought into it.
His reasoning is "CSMC is terrible." He's basing this on what?? He's been in the hospital twice to visit, in his life, neither were to a maternity ward. He has a co-worker that said she didn't like it, so I'm guessing that's his source of info.
I suggested that we could go to both places and take a tour of the L&D/nursery, etc. His return was "whatever." I told him to ask his co-worker for more info. What was it that she didn't like?
So... in comparing hospitals, what would you look for, and what would be a deal breaker?
Both have rooming in with the baby, both let a spouse/boyfriend/whoever stay with you over night, my doctor is on staff at both hospitals.
The only difference I can think of is CSMC is
associated with Broward Health, and they have a high level NICU if needed just down the road in the other
overlapping town, and their own children's hospital. I have no reason to
think anything would go wrong, but you never know. The other one is an
HCA hospital, and I'm sure they are affiliated with someone locally,
but not sure where. But I assume either hospital could make a transfer
if god-forbid it was needed.
I'm semi-new to the area so I have no word of mouth of my own to draw from.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Hospital advice for Broward (Coral Springs/Margate)??
I would probably choose the Northwest one mainly because I have never had a good experience with CSMC...granted I have never given birth there. I did have a friend of mine deliver there and it was a big hassle just going to visit her. This was probably like 8 years ago so it might be different now but we had to use the main hospital entrance and there was a long line to get in. They had to call the room to make sure we were allowed into the hosital...just a big ordeal. Most of my personal experiences have been with their emergency room. I have a friend due in November and she is trying to choose between CSMC and Margate as well. I think they are going with Margate though. I know you mentioned the NICU and only one of the hospitals having that. But there is also a level 3 NICU at West Boca which is not to far (it's on 441) if you should need one.
However, I would do a tour of both hospitals and see which one feels right to you.
I had the same choice when I was delivering and I chose Coral Springs MC. I based it on a few things.
1) My OB is actually pretty high up on the board at Northwest and she actually recommended CS to me. I trust her opinion. Almost two years later I do not remember all of her reasons, but I know she prefers CSMC.
2) I wanted to higher level NICU in case we needed it.
3) It was closer for not just me but also friends and family to make it easier.
I had a great experience at Coral Springs. Sure - the non L&D areas are not the greatest. I've had bad experiences at their ER before and that was clouding my judgment before I made a decision. I will deliver my future children there (unless I move). I've also had a bad experience at Northwest though.
The staff on the maternity ward was wonderful. Everyone was very helpful and accommodating. The do not keep traditional "Visiting hours" for maternity and I liked that family could visit whenever I was feeling up for it - not just when the hospital said.
Like in any hospital you have to make sure you are your own advocate if something is not going the way you want it to be.
Not everything was perfect, but it was a good experience.
Feel free to message me if you have more questions.
We had to make the same decision 2 years ago and went with CSMC, since we'd had no experience with either hospital. My OB also recommended CSMC, even though their office will deliver at either (and I believe that it's a different practice than Rach312). I also know that our pediatrician recommended CSMC over Northwest, but again I can't remember any of the specific reasons - it was enough for me that that was the consensus opinion of the people that I'd asked and in our case it was slightly closer.
My family had no issues coming in to visit, but we also didn't have friends come to the hospital so I don't know how much of a hassle that might have been. In general we were happy with our experience, so I'm glad we went with CSMC.
I think your idea of taking the tour at both places is a good one - especially if you're undecided. I'd also ask your OB since they probably have the most first hand experience with both hospitals.
How likely is it that you will be able to get a private room after delivery at either hospital? That would also be a big factor in my decision, since I had to briefly share a room at CSMC with a mom who was feeling REALLY sick after her delivery and it was pretty awkward. And does CSMC let your significant other stay over night if you're sharing a room? When we toured 2.5 years ago I'm pretty sure it was only if you were by yourself in the room.
I was at Royal Palm OB up until this week, but I am transferring into Omega.
I had a lot of issues with staff at Royal Palm, even though I liked the OB. I brought it to his attention, but nothing was ever done. Missing days of school because they didn't have time to get the letter saying I was able to return to school without restrictions, having ultrasounds scheduled that I took time off of work for, and it was only a HB check... which I didn't need since I have a Doppler. I just gave up.
Do any of you Springs residents have any info on Omega? I haven't been there yet, but I should be very soon. They are waiting on records.
But I do know the Omega group delivers at both.
According to the websites, it says both places have rooming in for the spouse, so I'm not sure. I will definitely check that.
I think I'm going to just schedule the tours. Sounds like the best bet.
Thank you all!
ahh! i delivered at northwest and i personally had a pretty bad experience.
when i was in labor, i felt the baby coming out, but when i told the nurses they completely blew me off. i had to struggle NOT to push until about 45 minutes later when they checked me and said "omg he's crowning!" duh! so they told me to start pushing while my doctor went to the bathroom. DS came out like a slip-n-slide and the nurse had to catch him. he was blue from being stuck in the birth canal and not allowed to come out!
then after all was expelled and stitched up, they left me lying in the pad covered with all kinds of bodily fluids for about 2 hours until another nurse came in to help me pee.
annd this is sort of trivial, but for the 3 days i was there, they always "forgot" to bring any meals to me for dinner.
my SIL had her DD at coral springs, and she had a great experience. she also purposely didn't go to northwest because she saw firsthand what i went through!
sorry this was so long... GL with your decision! whatever you choose i hope you have a great experience!
I went to Dr Carol McKenzie and Dr Anila Wahid and liked their practice. They rotate on call duties with a few other practices, so the on call doctor who delivered my baby was Dr Linda Green. I loved her as well and would recommend any of them.
Dr. Linda Green is my OB that performed my c/s and I love her. I've heard great things about KT&BG's office since like she said they rotate on calls.
Are these doctors in a group practice, or independent? I don't see them when I do a superpages.com search.
Dr Green's practice has the following website: https://www.greenurribarri.com/index.htm
3001 Coral Hills Dr. Suite 360 Coral Springs, Florida 33065
954-341-2916
Dr McKenzie added Dr Wahid to her practice almost 3 years ago. The practice is under Dr McKenzie's name:
Carol McKenzie MD LLC
3100 Coral Hills Drive Suite 205
Coral Springs, FL 33065
954-341-1520
Both practices also have a Nurse Practioner on staff and I liked both of them as well.
Thank for all of the input.
Last time I had kids, I was in Lakeland, so I'm still sort of new to the area.
Thanks again.
I delivered at Northwest and had a great experience. I was scheduled in for an induction; checked in fine and the nurses were great for my experience (from start to finish). I was cleaned up immediately and was actually walking the floor two hours after I delivered. I liked that they had one room to labor/deliver in (same as coral springs) and was told the only difference b/n the two hospitals is that Northwest has a window in ever room (whereas CS does not). Had a private room after delivery and a smooth transition when I needed to leave (and I got all my meals...lol).
My OB has a private practive and it's just her so I had to deliver at Northwest since I did not want to rotate doctors with another practice. I really liked having the same doctor from my first OB visit to my delivery. Her office is right next to the hospital and she takes a limited number of pregnancies each year. If you need her info, let me know.
Good Luck in your decision.