wavering on hospital choice after L&D tour

aussiebabies · May 2011

I'm with Kaiser and in my area you can go to Hospital #1 (with shared pp rooms) or Hospital #2 (with private pp suites). Seems like an easy choice, right? Problem is that Hospital #1 (shared pp) is about 10-15 minutes from my house and Hospital #2 (private pp) is 40 miles (~45 min without traffic).

DH and I did our tour of Hospital #2 (private suites--far from my house) last week and at the end of the tour I couldn't commit to turning in my paperwork. The whole drive I kept thinking 'I'd probably having a contraction now and now and now', etc (If I wait til they're 5 min apart to go in like Dr. suggests that means at least 8 contractions in the car).

With DS my hosptial was only 5 minutes away and I remember being VERY grateful when we arrived. Plus I'm afraid of 2nd labor moving faster...But on the other hand, I am a very private person and am really uncomfortable with the shared pp room idea.

Any thoughts? What would you do if you were in this situation?

anchalmasako · May 2011

I'd vote for the private room hospital. If you're absolutely desperate and in ridiculous pain when that time comes, then just head over to the closer one instead.

wolverine8 · May 2011

Personally I'd go with #2. I need my privacy and the drive is worth it.

Stellar1 · May 2011

Definitely the private room. With traffic my hospital could be more than an hour and I'm fine with it. The drive is worth the private room.

jojobean1977 · May 2011

Definately go with the private PP room. Sharing a bathroom is so gross IMO, after delivery. Plus I would go crazy if my baby was sleeping and I was kept awake due to a roommate and their baby.

ktb31 · May 2011

definitely private room, no doubt

Jelliebean1982 · May 2011

Unless your baby is crowning in the car head to the one with the private rooms.

aussiebabies · May 2011

Thanks for talking some sense into me, ladies Smile

I think I had it right the 1st time, private pp rooms are worth it. Maybe I'll just leave for the hopsital a bit sooner...

katekirschner · May 2011

i vote for private rooms. just leave earlier than when they are 5 minutes apart if it's a bad time of day and would take longe.r like when they are 8 minutes apart. as much as you won't be on your couch and comfortable, you still are probably progressing in the right direction and would hopefully be able to walk the halls at new hospital.

i could never even imagine sharing a room with a stranger after giving birth. i felt gross, and was so glad i had my own space after DD. If I go into labor during rush hour, even though I am only about 20 miles from the hospital, it could take me an hour to get there with traffic.

MrandMrsAndrews · May 2011

wolverine8:
Personally I'd go with #2. I need my privacy and the drive is worth it.

This.

anj0409 · May 2011

Private room. For sure, without a doubt. Not only that, but if it's that bothersome to you, you could always head out earlier than the 5min. apart. Just an idea anyhow. My hospital is about 45min-1hr. away, too, and I was considering just leaving early if I felt the need to.

kriskros · May 2011

#2.. I was in a similar situation. The hospital/dr ive been going to is an hour away, more with traffic, But we love the dr/nurse weve been seeing and the hospital/l&d is SOOO nice. I couldnt swtith

jerol · May 2011

Without a doubt.....private room. Just leave when ctx are 8 minutes apart.

julygal · May 2011

It sounds like you are already leaning towards private room, but I would want a private room for DH to spend the night if he wanted to. I know some dad's don't stay overnight (especially with #2), but DH stayed overnight for both deliveries and it was so great having him there for the middle of the night stuff. With a shared room it is pretty automatic that your DH will have to leave at a certain time.

Woodwife · May 2011

I have an idea. Find a good hotel near the hospital with the private suites and make sure you know the location. That way if you go too early and they send you "home" to labor more, you and DH can go hang out there and you can get in the shower, walk, etc and be very close to the hospital. That way you won't be anxious you're going too early and DH can use that as a base if he needs to. That might solve the too early worry since you know you won't be sent all the way back if things stall in the car! And you can leave the house earlier than you planned so you won't worry about leaving too late and suffering in the car since you'll have a place to go if it's not quite time. Hope that made sense.

The private suites are worth it!

ABCmom123 · May 2011

Assuming both have NICU's I'd go private room. Honestly, from previous experience and friend's experiences...having the NICU at the hospital you deliver at it MOST important after delivery if Godforbid something should happen and your baby needs it...

kimbo1216 · May 2011

I'd go private. Think about women living in the country who drive an hour + to get to the nearest hospital. To me, it would be worth it. Just listen to your body and shy on the edge of caution when it comes to whether or not to go in. Contracting in the car won't be the end of the world if you aren't the one driving.

Colsdoll · May 2011

I went really fast with my first one so I understand being nervous about the 45 minute drive.

I would contact hospital #1 and ask them how often they actually have two patients in the room. The hospital I am delivering at has the rooms set up as doubles but it has been three years since they actually had anyone doubled up.

RachaelandCarl · May 2011

The worst that could happen is you are suddenly having the baby and you go to the closer hospital on the spot, right? We had to change hospitals at the last minute with DS1 so we had never even stepped foot in the doors, registered, etc. It wasn't a big deal at all since my doctors still went there and I was covered with insurance. You don't have to be pre-registered. I'd choose private rooms and just be prepared to switch if it really came down to that.

m00n_fire@hotmail.com · May 2011

Private room totally! You don't want to risk Jim and Pam from "The Office" moment and breast feed the wrong baby! LOL!

mari_gold · May 2011

anchalmasako:
I'd vote for the private room hospital. If you're absolutely desperate and in ridiculous pain when that time comes, then just head over to the closer one instead.

Yes, that's what I'd do.

aussiebabies · May 2011

Woodwife:

I have an idea. Find a good hotel near the hospital with the private suites and make sure you know the location. That way if you go too early and they send you "home" to labor more, you and DH can go hang out there and you can get in the shower, walk, etc and be very close to the hospital. That way you won't be anxious you're going too early and DH can use that as a base if he needs to. That might solve the too early worry since you know you won't be sent all the way back if things stall in the car! And you can leave the house earlier than you planned so you won't worry about leaving too late and suffering in the car since you'll have a place to go if it's not quite time. Hope that made sense.

The private suites are worth it!

This is SUCH a great idea! Thank you! My mom and dad will be in town watching DS and I was also worried that it would be too far of a drive for them to get DS in the car and come back and forth to visit me. If we did this, my mom and dad could stay there with DS whether or not I need the room!

Dani0701 · May 2011

I would rather drive a bit farther and be able to be comfortable PP in a private suite. I don't think you'd go that fast that you wouldn't make it to the hospital.

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