Delivering at Holy Cross in SS MD

megan.e.jensen@gmail.com · July 2011

Any mom's out there deliver here? I grew up not far away, and actually had surgery there in HS, but now I'm delivering! Anything I should know? Policies, things they do, don't do, provide, don't provide? Any info or tips are greatly appreciated!

WinesNot Whines · July 2011

I had a great experience there. You should sign up for one of their maternity tours if you haven't already. They show you the labor rooms, recovery rooms, explain their policies, and answer questions. My main tip is to bring your own pillow(s) and some snacks. They let you eat and drink "clear" things during labor, like Gatorade or even jello and popsicles, but you have to bring your own.

the_jackpot · July 2011

I delivered there and it was fine. I took the tour, which was helpful. The nurses were very nice. The checkout seemed to take forever but I probably was just anxious to go home. GL.

mssaint · July 2011

I delivered there, too, and it was fine. They deliver more babies than any other hospital in Maryland so they definitely know what they're doing! I ended up being there from 11:30 pm on Sunday to mid-day on Friday (long labor and then a c-section) so I spent a lot of time there. I agree you should take the tour.

ETA: I had a terrible time trying to see a lactation consultant. I asked every day multiple times and it took me pitching a fit and demanding to see the nurse manager before one came to see me on my last day. Because I wasn't having trouble bf-ing, they didn't prioritize my request.

I also was furious about the check-out. They really don't communicate well, so we were left hanging for a long time. I was about ready to just walk out, but I didn't know if they'd chase after me or something.

thiswillbe · July 2011

I delivered there too, and was there 4 days (c/s). If you catch a bad nurse, don't be afraid to ask for someone else. (Most were great, but I got one awful one.) If you see the lactation consultants there, see another one (or more) once you get out. They told me some stuff I found out later was totally wrong for my situation (trying to BF twins), and I was never fully successful BFing because of it. Also, keep an eye on your LO's electronic tracking tag-- DD's cut her but we didn't see it till it was quite deep (she was always swaddled). I don't mean to be a downer, though. Overall it was a nice experience.

belizeitornot · July 2011

I agree with taking the tour, but you can also find some basics here:

https://www.holycrosshealth.org/maternity

I could have sworn they had a "no cell use" policy on the L&D floor, but no one stopped us from using our phones. Def. bring your own pillows, and if DH is staying with you, bring a pillow for him and a blanket. (I think they give you sheet for the couch bed thing, but nothing else)

The wait to see an LC can be interminable. I saw one on day 2 because I'd been having quite a bit of pain. After that, I never saw another one until the following day at check-out time when I was in tears from her latch. They had 1 (!) LC making the rounds to all the new moms on the postpartum floor. We waited about 2 hours past check out time to see her, and only got in that quick because we were leaving. If I'd been there another day I shudder to think how long it would have taken.

Other than that, we had a really good experience there. I like my L&D nurses more than my postpartum nurses but they were all fine. The food isn't anything to write home about, but it works.

They changed their parking situation in the winter but if you are staying a few days you can buy a pass that allows you in and out privileges without having to pay each time. I'm pretty sure they have info for that on the website too.

WinesNot Whines · July 2011

I'm posting again to add some things...

The checkout process took forever for me, too. I don't know if it's just luck of the draw, but we were one of the last people to get checked out. I kept asking them how much longer it was going to take, because I was so ready to get out of there!

The nurses were also very reluctant to send an LC to see me, until LO refused to latch on one side. I guess they decided that was a "valid" reason for an LC consult. The LC I saw was great, but it probably depends on who you get.

My postpartum nurses were fine, but my L&D nurse was Amazing. I loved her. But I had a drug-free birth, so my nurse was probably more actively involved than with someone who has an epidural. She was extremely encouraging.

The food wasn't great, but you could order from a menu for each meal, so at least there was some selection.

preissless1 · July 2011

I delivered at HCH too, and it also took forever for the checkout process to finalize. Otherwise, we had a good experience. My LO tore one of my nipples to shreds so the LC came and saw me each day to try to help improve the situation. My L&D nurse was awesome.

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Delivering at Holy Cross in SS MD

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