Looking for OB and reccomendation (Overlake Vs. Evergreen)

JessieJH · July 2011

Hi Ladies, My SO and I recently relocated from North of Seattle to the Eastside (home near Kirkland and we work in Redmond and Issaquah so the commute up to Edmonds for every appointment isn't going to work). My current doctor suggested that I check out Evergreen and Overlake and we have tours in the next week.

Does one of these hospitals come particularly recommended in this community? We are interested in as close to a non-medicated birth as possible with labor in water. Two close family members had disasterous Epi's and a C-section, so it's a goal we have.

Along with a hospital recommendation I'm looking for an OB on the Eastside (female) who delivers at one of these hospitals. I'd love your advice since searching for a new doctor is the last thing I want to do right now. I loved Puget Sound Women's, but even they are not suggesting I travel up there.

Thanks in advance!

MSTie24 · July 2011

I had a wonderful experience with the midwives at the Center for Women's Health at Evergreen. They have OBs at that pratice as well- I ended up having to have a scheduled C section due to DD's undeliverable position, and Dr. Wells was great- and since I'd been seeing the midwives I had the on call midwife in the OR as well. They are a very pro-breastfeeding hospital which was very important to me. FWIW I attend the parent-baby classes at the hospital and on birth story day, many of the moms who'd delivered at Overlake were not very happy with their experiences for various reasons. It made me extra glad I'd chosen Evergreen! I would definitely suggest the midwives (all female, at least when I was there) in particular because they will be very supportive of your birth goals. GL!

mrssmith717 · July 2011

I don't believe Evergreen does water births. Not sure about Overlake. Most OB's are not going to supervise a water birth either. Have you thought about using a midwife? The midwives at The Center for Women's Health always get rave reviews and will probably support your wishes for a med free birth a little bit more. If you're really wanting a water birth, I've also heard great things about the Puget Sound Birth Center (Leanne, yoohoo?!

where you CAN do a water birth. It's right near Evergreen, so if any complications came up, you would be suuuuper close to the hospital. Having said all that, if you're still looking for an OB instead of a midwife, I was really happy with Dr. Russell at Evergreen Women's Care. She delivered my daughter and I was med free.

BSJMM · July 2011

mrs_smith717:
Having said all that, if you're still looking for an OB instead of a midwife, I was really happy with Dr. Russell at Evergreen Women's Care. She delivered my daughter and I was med free.

THIS! I loved Dr. Russell - she delivered my daughter (med-free) and we are actually considering switching to her for Baby #3......(no I'm NOT pregnant, I'm thinking for the future). She was present during my ENTIRE labor at the hospital, given it was only 2.5 hours - but she was fabulous!

stacylu · July 2011

I think both Overlake and Evergreen get good reviews on here. I have had 2 Overlake babies - one with an Epi, one unmedicated. I was in the tub for the first and I believe it could have been a water birth if that was what I wanted (i didn't)

I love my OB - Elisabeth Anton at Bellegrove OBGYN. (bellegroveobgyn.com) Dr Moore and Dr Brown are also great.

mrssmith717 · July 2011

BSJMM:
mrs_smith717:
Having said all that, if you're still looking for an OB instead of a midwife, I was really happy with Dr. Russell at Evergreen Women's Care. She delivered my daughter and I was med free.

THIS! I loved Dr. Russell - she delivered my daughter (med-free) and we are actually considering switching to her for Baby #3......(no I'm NOT pregnant, I'm thinking for the future). She was present during my ENTIRE labor at the hospital, given it was only 2.5 hours - but she was fabulous!

Dr. Keys was my doc with Laurel, and we totally thought that she would be delivering her, but she was too fast! Loved Dr. Russell. I had seen her a few times when Dr. Keys was out of town or delivering a baby so it was nice to have already met her. I've heard way too many good things about the midwives though, so I'm going with them for number two! (Whenever that time comes!)

MrsAmyB · July 2011

Another rave for the midwives at the Center for Womens health. I had my first daughter throught them and I was with them for the first 12 weeks of my 2nd pregnancy and only left because my pregnancy was too high-risk.

Evergreen does offer water births.

mrssmith717 · July 2011

MrsAmyB:
Another rave for the midwives at the Center for Womens health. I had my first daughter throught them and I was with them for the first 12 weeks of my 2nd pregnancy and only left because my pregnancy was too high-risk.

Evergreen does offer water births.

Do they do them in the normal bathrooms or bring something in?

JessieJH · July 2011

Wow- thanks ladies. I could almost cry this info is so helpful. I'm actually not looking for a water 'birth' but wanted to labor most of the time in a tub or shower for pain management. Then get out for the final push.

These are great reccomendations to start with. Now I'm so much more excited for the tours. :-)

MrsAmyB · July 2011

mrs_smith717:
MrsAmyB:

Another rave for the midwives at the Center for Womens health. I had my first daughter throught them and I was with them for the first 12 weeks of my 2nd pregnancy and only left because my pregnancy was too high-risk.

Evergreen does offer water births.

Do they do them in the normal bathrooms or bring something in?

I didn't use this option but heard about it when I was pregnant with Meg. The website says that dad can bring swim shorts to join mom in the tub. I'm assuming its the regular tub?

LauraLynneC · July 2011

I have used Overlake for 99% of my medical needs and my LO will be born there this weekend (stay tuned!) - I know they have jacuzzi tubs you can labor in and I *heart* by OB (Katie VanKessel) - she's very laid back, non-intervention oriented, and really listens to me (which was by FAR the most important thing for me). I'm over 40 but otherwise have had the picture perfect pregnancy and she's been wonderful. I've seen a couple other docs in the practice and like them as well.

Good luck and congrats!

theresab · July 2011

MSTie24:
I had a wonderful experience with the midwives at the Center for Women's Health at Evergreen. They have OBs at that pratice as well- I ended up having to have a scheduled C section due to DD's undeliverable position, and Dr. Wells was great- and since I'd been seeing the midwives I had the on call midwife in the OR as well. They are a very pro-breastfeeding hospital which was very important to me. FWIW I attend the parent-baby classes at the hospital and on birth story day, many of the moms who'd delivered at Overlake were not very happy with their experiences for various reasons. It made me extra glad I'd chosen Evergreen! I would definitely suggest the midwives (all female, at least when I was there) in particular because they will be very supportive of your birth goals. GL!

Another recommendation for Evergreen and the midwives at Center for Women's Health. Med free, midwife there the most of the entire time (12 hours labor at the hospital)

Only negative was I felt pressured to have my water broke, turns out it was a good thing (although painful) but I wasn't happy at the time being given what I saw as an ultimatum. I didn't like my night nurse that first night, but our delivery nurse was awesome.

pixelvixen · July 2011

I had both kids (unmedicated, although not by choice! lol) at Evergreen. Different OBs for each baby and different delivering doctors, as mine came out too quickly. I can't say enough good things about the entire staff and all of the doctors I saw during both pregnancies and deliveries at Evergreen. Dr. Shaunie Keys (Evergreen Women's Care) was my favorite and Dr. Russell (same practice) - who delivered my son - rocked, too.

AND Evergreen's NICU is amazing, too, if you (God forbid) happen to need them.

Good luck!

MSTie24 · July 2011

MrsAmyB:
mrs_smith717:
MrsAmyB:

Another rave for the midwives at the Center for Womens health. I had my first daughter throught them and I was with them for the first 12 weeks of my 2nd pregnancy and only left because my pregnancy was too high-risk.

Evergreen does offer water births.

Do they do them in the normal bathrooms or bring something in?

I didn't use this option but heard about it when I was pregnant with Meg. The website says that dad can bring swim shorts to join mom in the tub. I'm assuming its the regular tub?

You can rent larger labor tubs- we were considering it before I knew I had to have a C. Also, I forgot to say that the nurses were really nice- C had to go to the NICU for about 4 hours right after birth, and her nurse gave us a hardback book she'd put her name and date in along with a birthday message for Charlie. It was the nicest thing- I wish I'd gotten to meet her. My room nurses were super too.

karebear219 · July 2011

Evergreen does have jetted tubs in their birthing suites. Another rave for Evergreens center for women health.

preston18 · July 2011

Another vote for Dr. Brown at Bellgrove OBGYN. I loved Overlake (I was inpatient for 5 days so I really got to experience it!) and had a great birth experience but it really sounds like a midwife might be the way to go for you.

I'd suggest you pick which ever is most convenient location wise. I started out at Evergreen but moved to Overlake as I worked in DT Bellevue. It was great until I had to drive by Evergreen to go to Overlake for appts once I stopped working and when DS was in the NICU for a few days after I was discharged.

LizK37 · July 2011

I would recommend Overlake. I am biased though, I work there. I work in surgery and have worked with most of the OBs that do surgery. I prefer the soca that work at Overlake OBGYN over the other group. That is who I chose for myself. I went with dr paley. I prefer a male doctor for myself but knowing that anyone could be oncall, I felt comfortable with the whole group. I also fill in sometimes for c sections in L&D and everyone has been really nice up there. Good luck!

scarletii · July 2011

Another Evergreen mama, here! I had 2 very different birthing experiences. My first, with Dr. Maura Cardwell, didn't go the way I would have liked, but most importantly my doctor left choices up to me and my baby was just perfect. (I highly recommend my doctor, she was great!) 2nd birth was a vbac with the midwives at the Center For Women's Health. I never thought I was the midwife "type", but I LOVED them!!! They supported me through every step, even when a doctor in the practice wanted to just go against my wishes and just schedule a C. (This doctor was not mentioned in any of the prior posts.) I actually considered filing a complaint against her.

As for the tub, the one in the bathroom is the size of a standard tub. I really don't think you would be comfortable in it, nor would your DH fit in it very well. I rented a birth tub, but alas, Gavin came too fast, so we had to cancel it. The company was super nice, and refunded me my deposit. If you want a referral, let me know. My plan was to labor in it, but not necessarily give birth in it. Just another card in my hat to pull out for labor!

Another thing to think out when comparing OBs to midwives - the doctor is really only there when the baby is crowning. The midwife is with you pretty much the whole time. (I arrived at the hospital with #2 fully dilated and ready to push, so I can't say how early they usually stay with you.)

Hope this helps!

itskacie · July 2011

MrsAmyB:
mrs_smith717:
MrsAmyB:

Another rave for the midwives at the Center for Womens health. I had my first daughter throught them and I was with them for the first 12 weeks of my 2nd pregnancy and only left because my pregnancy was too high-risk.

Evergreen does offer water births.

Do they do them in the normal bathrooms or bring something in?

I didn't use this option but heard about it when I was pregnant with Meg. The website says that dad can bring swim shorts to join mom in the tub. I'm assuming its the regular tub?

I asked about a water birth when I had DD at Evergreen and they said that I could rent a larger tub from an outside company for that purpose if I wanted. They have jetted tubs for laboring in though- I unfortunatly had to be monitored constantly and the sound of the jets was interfering with the sounds of the baby on the monitor so I coudlnt be in there long.

My overall experience at Evergreen was fantastic though, and if we were going to have another, I would for sure go back there. My OB was Dr Lorraine Robertson, and she was pretty cool- very laid back. My DD was delivered by Dr Gong from the same practice (A Womens Clinic at Evergreen) and I LOVED her!

JessieJH · July 2011

Thanks again Ladies- these are great reccomendations and it looks like I'll have some phone calls to make to some great doctors. Big Smile

jenseattle07 · July 2011

I LOVE the midwifes at Puget Sound Birthing Center. They are kind, patient, and listen incredibly well. I am with Sunita, Val, and Ally (there are 2 teams there).

The space feels like a small home, which I also like vs. the hospital clinical feel. You can birth there if you are considered a low-risk pregnancy.

I would recommend taking the tour and meeting with a midwife. That's what made the decision easy for me

Jennifer

dmoreilly · July 2011

We delivered at Evergreen and had a great experience. I highly recommend it. Pretty natural birth and they followed what I wanted. I had my own private room all day and one nurse was assigned to me which made it more comfortable.

As for OB, I go to Dr. Mary Beth Wittman and her offices are right there at the hospital.

Classes there at the hospital are great and there are also classes after you give birth once a week for you to attend with your newborn and get to know other mothers or just ask whatever questions might be on your mind.

Want a personalized experience?

Looking for OB and reccomendation (Overlake Vs. Evergreen)

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