I just found out that I as 6 weeks pregnant (YAY!), and not only am I searching for an OB, I am trying to make an informed decision regarding where to deliver. My SIL and a few friends have delivered at St. Mary's, had wonderful experiences, and I have always imagined that I would also have my baby at St. Mary's. I like the fact that it is smaller and knowing others that have been there is comforting. After scheduling my first prenatal visit, I found out the OB does not deliver at St. Mary's but at either Metro Health or Spectrum Health. I know that I will not go to Metro Health but am considering Spectrum.
So, to those that have had deliveries at Spectrum or knows someone that has, what are you thoughts? Is it as personal as St. Mary's?
Re: Spectrum vs. St. Mary's
I enjoyed my experience at Spectrum. It's also a bonusknowing that if anything is wrong with baby that the childrens hospital is connected, not that St. Mary's is too far away. I'll be delivering my 2nd child in March at Spectrum. I don't have one complaint. I actually would NEVER deliver at St. Mary's. My grandma was there for all of her cancer treatment, and I don't believe that she received the best treatment from the nursing staff, but thats just my own opinion. Good Luck and congrats on your pregnancy.
I delivered at Metro with my first when it was still in EGR. I plan to deliver there with this one as well.
My sister and a friend delivered at St. Mary's and I couldn't stand it. Tiny and outdated. Spectrum is nice, and I like the fact that the children's hospital is attached, however it is HUGE and the rooms are tiny as well.
Good luck with your decision, and please don't doubt Metro. It's NOT a bad place what-so-ever.
A good friend of mine just delivered at Saint's on January 7th and had a wonderful experience. Yes, her room was small, but it was more than adequate.... it is a hospital after all, not a hotel. The nurses there were wonderful; she was having trouble with breastfeeding (first baby) and they had a lactation consultant in her room less than an hour later. The nurse she had during her labor and the actual delivery was outstanding (her words).
As others have said, Spectrum is the children's hospital in the area however Saint's does have a NICU, so in the event your little one came early he/she won't necessarily have to be transferred up to Spectrum.
I would suggest taking a tour of the birthing center at Saint's - if you go to their website they list tour dates and how to register. I think that would be an excellent opportunity to check things out for yourself and ask any questions.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
I had my son at St. Mary's, and will be having DD there in a week and a half. My OB office participates with St. Mary's, so that's why we go there. I don't have anything bad to say. We had a good experience. No, there isn't going to be a flat screen TV in your room, and yes, it could be updated. But we were happy with the care we received.
As an aside, St. Mary's now offers room service for meals. You call whenever you're hungry and order from a menu. I think it's a nice way to make the stay more comfortable (less like a hospital and more like a hotel). Your SO/DH can also order meals that way, and I think it's like $7 per meal.
I know you said you would not go to Metro Health but they are wonderful there. I had a great experience, wonderful nurses and had to stay longer because my son was in the Special Care Nursery so I roomed in. The facilities are clean and the rooms are great for you and your spouse and tons of visitors. My friends went to Spectrum and the rooms were outdated, small and didn't have very friendly staff.
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