Picking between the big hospitals

lily87 · January 2011

I am trying to decide which hospital to call. My doc recommends MGH, but there are relatively no posts about them.

Can you tell me where you picked and why? I think I want to go with one of the larger hospitals (ie. MGH, Brigham or Beth Isreal), but I am looking for opinions.

Thanks!

VMRRN23 · January 2011

I choose Brigham (I work for another major hospital and did NOT want to deliver at a place I worked in case God forbid something happened, so that limited my search). My doc is affiliated with the Brigham, I had heard good things about the staff there from other moms that delivered there within the past few years. All of the rooms are private (not sure if that is the case at all the hospitals) they have a high level NICU (in case LO would need it). Then they have all the standard stuff that I assume all the hospitals have (bathing and breastfeeding classes, lactation consultants if you're having a problem, etc.). Just make sure your doctor is allowed to deliver there. I'm going in tomorrow for a C-section so I'll try to post in a week or so about the experience. Good luck choosing.

ladylisalt · January 2011

My friend delivered at MGH and had a good experience. I just hate the cluster of getting in and out of there since I think it is in one of the most crowded areas.

I chose Brighams and purposely sought out a dr. affiliated with them. Brigham's has always had an exceptional reputation for their maternity and I have had multiple friends deliver there. I also was in there for a few days a few years back when I broke my leg and had great care. My grandmother is in and out of there for heart care and in every aspect you can't beat the technology and care.

debisheldon · January 2011

I delivered at Beth Israel. That is who my Dr was affiliated with. I spent some time in L&D before the babies were born and they were great. You also get your own room. I have heard that at MGH, you have to share.

I was always worried about a Red Sox game happening when I went into labor. We know the city well so we always had a back up plan to get in.

alegaga4u · January 2011

We chose the Brigham. I switched OBs in the third tri, specifically to change hospitals as well as Drs. The things I wish I had thought about earlier in the pregnancy were what I wanted in a birth experience. For example: if you want a water birth-not all hospitals offer this. I found that brigham offered the most varieties of anesthesia options, seemed very open to both natural and epi labors, would allow you to have the baby with you at all times, or send to the nursery at ANY time, they also seemed very into respecting the dignity of the patient which I didn't find at the smaller hospital I was previously set to deliver at. I did not look into MGH or Beth Israel because I had prior good experiences at Brigham, and also becuase of locations, but I have heard good things about some of the MGH Drs.

I would suggest reviewing your list of "deal breakers" and making certin the hospital you choose will afford these options.

GL!

bluejetta · January 2011

I am going with the Brigham. My OB (who was a rec from my GP) is part of a practice and delivers there. And I've had a lot of other experiences with both the hospital and affiliated doctors that have all been great. So it is mostly about going with more of a known quantity.

But I was equally interested in MGH because a good friend works there and recommended her OB her delivers there so I think none are bad options.

tiffanyrhorne · January 2011

I actually work at Brigham and Women's Hospital and it is simply the best as far as birthing centers go. I worked as a social work intern in the Center for Women's Health and it has high quality doctors and the best facilities I've seen.

I recently got pregnant and it was an easy choice to go to the Brigham for prenatal care and to give birth.

LAHN · January 2011

::jumping in a little late as I re-discover the Boston board::

I went to MGH with my first (she is now 4 yrs) and had a great experience as far as the prenatal care, scheduling, the doctors, etc. I had a bit of a complicated labor/deliver though that ended in a c-section, but I have nothing bad to say about the care I received. The prenatal classes I took were also good, and the genetic testing (12 week NT scan and testing) was really good.

And I have to say, they gave me an awesome room with the most amazing view of the Charles river!

As far as getting in an out, it's really not bad. The OB practice is in the Yawkey bldg just steps from the MGH T stop and there is a parking garage right underneath the building where patients get a big discount. I never had a problem getting in and out (but I'm used to Boston driving).

I plan on MGH for this PG and delivery too...just gotta get off my butt and make the call. My original OB is no longer there, so I'll be seeing a new one this time.

See ya on the Sept board! (or maybe MGH?)

kates2480 · January 2011

I delivered at Tufts and had an unbelievable experience! I LOVE my OB!!! she is AMAZING and the nursing staff was phenomenal, all 1 on 1 teaching. Can't wait to go back for round 2 in the future:)

caprocornia · January 2011

I'm new to the Boston board, and a little late to respond, but thought I'd jump in.

I delivered at Newton Wellesley and have nothing but positive things to say. I was admitted 3 different times (before delivering) because of complications with gallstones. Everyone was incredible. They were also excellent when I gave birth. The nurses were there the whole time and they were all great. Everything was so personal, and I felt like they genuinely cared about us.

That said, I know you said you wanted to deliver at one of the big 3. My 3rd time being hospitalized with the gallstone issues, I was transferred to the Brigham. Honestly, I only felt like a number while I was in L&D, which was for about 18ish hours. Maybe it's because I was likely never going to deliver, unless there were complications with the procedure I had to have done. Maybe it was because of the nurse I had, who didn't have a great bedside manner. Maybe it was because of the sheer size of the hospital. Who knows. Once I was out of L&D though, I was admitted for 4 more days, and the nurses were much better. I also know the care I got was 2nd to none. I didn't love it though, and told my OB after the fact that I was so glad to be back at NW. She also worked at the Brigham in the past and agreed it's a bit impersonal there.

I'd recommend NW over the Brigham, but if you go with the Brigham, I have no doubt you'll receive excellent care.

irie283 · January 2011

I delivered DS at Beth Israel. I had a wonderful experience. I had a bit of a complicated delivery and ended up with a C-section and general anesthesia. Every nurse that I dealt with was amazing. They also have a an agreement with a company that sells breastfeeding supplies. A lactation consultant comes around with a cart so you can get fitted for nursing bras and buy other nursing supplies (pillows, tank tops, etc.). It was so nice to leave the hospital with everything I needed to nurse my baby when I got home. I found the classes that the hospital runs for new moms, like bathing your newborn, to be very helpful. I hope this helps. Good luck!

TG79 · February 2011

My Aunt is a midwife and has worked at almost all of them. She says all are good, but brigham is by far the best. That said, she said if you are a low risk pregnancy, you are much better off going to a local place like Mt. Auburn. Why? Because the big hospitals have much higher rates of C-sections and repeat C-sections. They just don't have the patience or the risk tolerance for long labors. If you are high risk, go to one of the big 3,, preferably brigham

LAHN · February 2011

TG79:
My Aunt is a midwife and has worked at almost all of them. She says all are good, but brigham is by far the best. That said, she said if you are a low risk pregnancy, you are much better off going to a local place like Mt. Auburn. Why? Because the big hospitals have much higher rates of C-sections and repeat C-sections. They just don't have the patience or the risk tolerance for long labors. If you are high risk, go to one of the big 3,, preferably brigham

Just revisiting this post and I have to comment on this....it's actually not true, although many people think that it is. While there is the clear fact that higher risk women go to the bigger hospitals (and they are themselves more likely to end up with c-sections) in general, they don't actually have higher rates for low risk women.

I'm in public health research and a study is currently underway by MA DPH looking at the reason behind increasing rates of c-sections. The findings are really interesting (probably to be published in the next year or so) and for low risk women, size of hospital has no effect on the rate....they are now going to do more in depth analysis to determine what hospital-specific qualities might be related....

just thought I would share!

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