Overlake Hospital

shelleyo17 · November 2011

Question for the group:

We are delivering at Overlake and want to find out how many others have chosen Overlake as their delivery place! Has anyone delivered there before? This will be our first and we are so nervous! Also, wanted to find out if anyone has done any classes at Overlake and what they thought of them (both birthing class and breast feeding classes)...any information would be greatly appreciated!

LauraLynneC · November 2011

shelleyo17:

Question for the group:

We are delivering at Overlake and want to find out how many others have chosen Overlake as their delivery place! Has anyone delivered there before? This will be our first and we are so nervous! Also, wanted to find out if anyone has done any classes at Overlake and what they thought of them (both birthing class and breast feeding classes)...any information would be greatly appreciated!

I delivered at Overlake in July - it was awesome. Staff was great, food was great, rooms were great! I highly recommend it!

We took the birthing class but for me it was dull - but I've been there, done that. It was helpful for my DH though (his first child and birth). He liked the class. I didn't take the breastfeeding class.

shelleyo17 · November 2011

Do you know if we have to pay for the birthing class, if we are already having our baby there? I know some hospitals have deals and bargains if you have everything planned out to deliver there...and some are included...just trying to figure out what I need to do!

LauraLynneC · November 2011

we did pay out of pocket for the class.

Mrs_Stevens · November 2011

We love Overlake, had both girls there. They're wonderful. The nursing staff was amazing throughout all shifts. We did the weekend childbirth class (paid out of pocket) and I'd say it was informative, but not very helpful during delivery. If you're thinking about taking a childbirth class to ease your fears about giving birth....let's just say that's not the right way to go

Good luck, it's a great hospital and they'll take super good care of you, DH and your new little one

shelleyo17 · November 2011

I have been told that I should take a class, since this is my first...however, I "know" what happens...I am an EMT and understand the fundamentals...I just figure that it's going to happen one way or another and do I really need to spend money I don't have and time that I don't have much of to do a class that I have heard from some is useless. I have heard that the nursing staff, who is there, can help and answer any questions, etc. Is that true? The only class that I was planning on taking was a BF class...just because I want to know what the heck to do! LOL...being a FTM, I have no idea what I am doing...

Mrs_Stevens · November 2011

If I had to do it all over again I'd definitely skip the childbirth class. For me, the only real thing I got out of it was the anatomy - like how the baby actually travels thru the birth canal - and I'm sure you can find a youtube.com video with that info. I also think that BF'ing classes before hand are kind of useless. You don't know what latch feels like until there's a baby on your boob...up until then, all they can do is kind of prepare you for that and there's lactation consultants onsite that'll help you with any BF'ing, all of which is MUCH easier once there's an actual baby there.

One thing I would do (and is absolutely free) is recommend the Parent/Baby classes at Evergreen Hospital. The instructors are all lactation consultants and you also will have a great support system. Most people in those classes are FTM/FTD so you're all there to help each other. I honestly don't know how people have babies w/out going to these classes....they seriously helped me so so much!!

They have a facebook page (Evergreen Parent Baby Class) and you can find info on those classes by going to the Evergreen Hospital website.

shelleyo17 · November 2011

I will definitely check out the classes at Evergreen Hospital! I go there for my specialist appointments all the time...so I will look into it! THANK YOU!

blueLu25 · November 2011

As far as classes, I think it depends on what kind of birth you are hoping for... I had med-free births with a midwife with both kids, and DH and I took the 12 weeks of Bradley classes when I was pregnant the first time. I loved it so much, and it was great that dh was learning everything I was learning. I felt like the more knowledge you have about the process the better, and takes a lot of the "fear" out of it, for example when it gets really difficult, you will be able to tell yourself- yes, it hurts, but it is just my body doing what it needs to do to have my baby, etc, and you will also recognize which stage of labor you're in. The more relaxed you can get, the better your body can do what it needs to etc. Anyway, sorry to get all preachy. Classes are really helpful so definitely get one that works for you and what you want!

alicb · November 2011

I know I'm late to the party but I wanted to say that I had my DD last December had an emergency C-section and my baby was in the NICU for 6 days. The Overlake staff was AMAZING. As I'm preparing for my daughter's first birthday we have been talking a lot about that first week and how lucky we were to be at such a great hospital.

We did take the childbirth class, I think my husband got more out of it all than I did. Especially since I ended up with the c/s, maybe I would have gotten more out of it? I'm not sure. I did not attend the BF class but I do agree with pp that the lactation consultants were very helpful. Having the baby there and knowing if there is a "good" latch, etc. I'm not sure I would have understood (also being a first time mom) without the baby there.

KNemo · November 2011

alicb:
I know I'm late to the party but I wanted to say that I had my DD last December had an emergency C-section and my baby was in the NICU for 6 days. The Overlake staff was AMAZING.

I had an emergency c/s there too. I didn't work with the Overlake OBs, because I had Group Health insurance, but their nursing staff is the best!! I am actually really sad that we don't live close enough to Bellevue to have another Overlake birth. My Maxwell was in the Special Care nursery for over 30 hours after he was born. The nurses in the SCN were brilliant and so helpful. I was also really impressed with how well the Overlake staff worked with the GH staff. I was there a total of 5 days (long labor and recovery) and probably met every nurse there. I don't have anything but wonderful things to say about every single one of those women! It's a great place to give birth.

tfarabians · November 2011

i just had my c/s at overlake in Jan. Loved all the nurses, seriously they were so wonderful to me and our room was fantastic! I didn't take any childbirth classes with either pregnancy which I was glad about because the first one ended up being a c/s so it would have been a waste!

Kathzoo · November 2011

Regarding childbirth education classes, you can take them at any facility regardless of where you plan to deliver. There are also community-based classes like Great Starts that teach you about all your options for birth. Even if you know the anatomy and physical process of labor and birth, there is so much to learn about the emotional experience and to prepare yourself. Classes are a good opportunity to discuss things with your partner about his/her role in labor and birth and make sure you are on the same page. Classes should give you decision-making tools, labor coping techniques, and resources for early parenthood. Plus you get to meet other expecting parents and start building a community for your new family. No matter how you are planning to birth, you will be asked to make choices during the process. Medical providers often do not have time to give you all the information you might need in the moment to make your decision. Nurses have so much on their plates keeping you and your baby safe. It makes their jobs easier if you arrive with preparation. Research shows that women are more often satisfied with their births if they are well-prepared, have realistic expectations, and feel involved in the process. If you are short on time and money, there are one-day or online options. You can also use Medicaid vouchers. And I highly recommend a breastfeeding class. Best of luck with your decision-making.

MissBHaven1024 · November 2011

I am due in 3 weeks and we will be delivering at Overlake too! This is my first delivery there; DD was born at Swedish, and in comparing the two, I have informed DH that for baby #3, we will be going back to Swedish. Nothing against Overlake, but after taking the hospital tour, I was a little disappointed in the size of the rooms (my Swedish room was twice the size), and the fact that they stop doing food service at 7pm (so if I deliver at 8pm, I am stuck with a cold sandwich).

I know these things aren't top priority when you're in labor, but if I have to have another C-section and spend 3 days there, I would like my room to be a little more spacious, and to be able to order food whenever I am hungry (Swedish had 24 hour room service).

MissBHaven1024 · November 2011

Also, we took the breastfeeding class and I found it to be VERY informative. I would recommend it to other pregnant women for sure. We also did the Siblings are Special class for DD, so she could learn and understand her role as a big sister. Both were great classes!

kathleen02 · November 2011

I've heard good things about Overlake from a couple friends who delivered there. One of them was with twins and she actually had a vaginal birth...you don't hear of that happening a lot because usually they're scheduled c-sections. Anyway on the topic of classes, I highly recommend Liz Chalmers of The Birth Zone. She is based out of Redmond and she is great. Even though my baby is one my class still meets up with all our little ones for get togethers. Her classes are popular and she books up quickly though. Here is her site...

https://www.birthzone.com/classes.html

alicb · November 2011

MissBHaven1024:
I am due in 3 weeks and we will be delivering at Overlake too! This is my first delivery there; DD was born at Swedish, and in comparing the two, I have informed DH that for baby #3, we will be going back to Swedish. Nothing against Overlake, but after taking the hospital tour, I was a little disappointed in the size of the rooms (my Swedish room was twice the size), and the fact that they stop doing food service at 7pm (so if I deliver at 8pm, I am stuck with a cold sandwich).
I know these things aren't top priority when you're in labor, but if I have to have another C-section and spend 3 days there, I would like my room to be a little more spacious, and to be able to order food whenever I am hungry (Swedish had 24 hour room service).

I will say on our hospital tour we were also shown a VERY small room. The room we actually stayed in was quite large. After being there for 6 days (while DD was in the NICU they let us room in the hospital) my husband said "Boy I'm glad we didn't get that tiny room they showed on the tour."

kaskade · November 2011

Kathzoo:
Regarding childbirth education classes, you can take them at any facility regardless of where you plan to deliver. There are also community-based classes like Great Starts that teach you about all your options for birth. Even if you know the anatomy and physical process of labor and birth, there is so much to learn about the emotional experience and to prepare yourself. Classes are a good opportunity to discuss things with your partner about his/her role in labor and birth and make sure you are on the same page. Classes should give you decision-making tools, labor coping techniques, and resources for early parenthood. Plus you get to meet other expecting parents and start building a community for your new family. No matter how you are planning to birth, you will be asked to make choices during the process. Medical providers often do not have time to give you all the information you might need in the moment to make your decision. Nurses have so much on their plates keeping you and your baby safe. It makes their jobs easier if you arrive with preparation. Research shows that women are more often satisfied with their births if they are well-prepared, have realistic expectations, and feel involved in the process. If you are short on time and money, there are one-day or online options. You can also use Medicaid vouchers. And I highly recommend a breastfeeding class. Best of luck with your decision-making.

This this this! Educate yourself so you know what to expect. I ended up needing a c/s, but because I had researched and done my homework, I knew that it was truly the right choice for me and my baby. I see a lot of women end up with c-sections because of scare tactics, insurance decisions and lack of knowledge - and I've seen the resulting stress of not being fully informed and being angry at having that decision made for you. Sorry to also get preachy, but I feel strongly that it is your responsiblity to know what is going on with your body so you can accept however it is your little one comes into this world.

stacylu · November 2011

I had both kids at Overlake and great experiences both times. We also took childbirth classes and BF class from them the first time around and met some now very good lifelong friends in the class. I loved our teacher and thought she presented info very nicely and I know it was really good for DH especially.

And RE the PP who was worried about just ahving a cold sandwich after birth - Overlake food is seriously amazing. I had an 11:00pm baby and the sandwich was probably the best food I've ever tasted.

bradandkatie · November 2011

We took the birth class and the breast feeding class at Overlake and LOVED it! It is nice because you get a tour in the birth class so you know where to park and the in take process. I delivered in August and had a natural birth so we used the jaccuzzi tub and it was wonderful! The staff didn't seem used to a natural birth or even using the tub so there were a few hiccups where my midwife took control but I didn't really care at that point! The only "bad" thing was that the nursing staff didn't refill the diapers or supplies for me and I had to call for them. I think because I was a low-need lady they didn't check on my as much as other mommies.

Want a personalized experience?

Overlake Hospital

Re: Overlake Hospital

Choose Another Board

Search Boards