Evergreen or Overlake?

meganmgmiller · December 2011

My husband and I are currently trying to decide where to deliver when the time comes (late May). We are debating between Evergreen and Overlake and aren't sure what the best choice is for us.

My current OB is at Evergreen and she is great, so I am leaning toward Evergreen. However, we live in Issaquah, so Overlake is closer and it has great reviews as well (plus my husband was born there many many years ago!). We thought about the new Swedish Issaquah, but it doesn't have a NICU and we really don't want to take any unnecessary chances.

I know that the odds of me going into labor and delivering within 35 minutes (the amount of time it takes us to get to Evergreen from our house) are super-slim, but my husband is a bit of a worrier and is always thinking about the worst-case scenario.

Has anyone had any experiences at either of these hospitals that makes them recommend one or the other? We have to decide by Wednesday-- that's when my 16 week appointment is and we need to let the doctor know if we want to continue with her or not.

Thanks!

MSTie24 · December 2011

I delivered at Evergreen (via necessary C-section) and was very happy with my care. One thing that was very important to me was the breastfeeding support there, they are extremely pro-BF and the LCs were very helpful. My daughter was in NICU for about 4 hours and although I wasn't able to go see her there, my DH, parents and doula were happy with her care there. Her NICU nurse even gave her a special book.

Also I like that they don't have a nursery. I know some new moms like to send the baby off for some sleep but I wanted her there with me every moment. It was a very pro-family environment. I have heard some not-so-great experiences at Overlake so based on those I personally would not go there; that being said some moms here have been very happy there.

meganmgmiller · December 2011

Thanks a bunch! That is super-helpful to know. I have been really impressed with their birthing suites... hoping my husband can be on board for Evergreen (he wants to make sure that it is not more expensive than Overlake with our insurance... he is Mr. Dollars and Cents!).

Thanks for sharing your experience!

**Maggiepoo** · December 2011

We loved Evergreen, great care all around. We will definitely be going with if there is a #2. We also had 2 hospitals that were closer but chose to go to Evergreen and never regretted that choice.

theresab · December 2011

We live further east than Issaquah and still chose Evergreen. I really wanted to see the midwives there. (I liked the midwifery philosophy combined with being in the hospital in case that was needed)

Overall a good experience. labor nurse was great. post-labor nurse could have been better. parent/baby classes are awesome.

We will likely go to swedish issquah or a birth center if we have another, now that the midwife practice at evergreen is effectively gone.

kathleen02 · December 2011

We had DS at Evergreen and I can't say we had a bad experience (wasn't what we had planned since we were doing a birth center birth) but the staff was great. Rooms were huge and it was conveniently located close to us. I may consider Overlake next time though because something happened with Evergreen where the midwife group there isn't really there as it used to be. Anyway, my insurance didn't cover that particular group anyway so I may look into the midwives at Overlake. I had a couple friends who delivered there recently and they had great experiences. One with twins and one just your standard birth. I think for the most part it's just weighing the pros and cons with your individual needs.

stacylu · December 2011

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/55879545.aspx?MsdVisit=1

Mrs_Stevens · December 2011

Vote here for Overlake! We had both of our girls at Overlake and had an amazing experience both times. The nurses were top rate and the care beyond excellent! With DD#2 I delivered within 5 minutes of walking out of the elevator and the nurses were amazing (the head nurse actually delivered my little girl)! We had a scare where DD#2 didn't take a breath right away and they were 100% on top of everything. I'm incredibly happy with Overlake and wouldn't go anywhere else for future deliveries.

Side note - if you decide to go with Overlake, my OBGYN is Dr. Evans. She's AMAZING!! Best of all, her office is in Issaquah but she delivers at Overlake - best of both worlds for you! I can't recommend her enough.

https://www.issaquahobgyn.com

WatchPot · December 2011

I know you didn't ask about it but so far I'm very impressed with Swedish in Issaquah and I'll do everything I can to deliver there. But it's worth noting they only have a level 2 NICU so if you need more advance care after the baby is born, you'll be transfered to Seattle.

The rooms are beautiful and huge. I love that they only have delivered less than 20 babies there since they opened (november) so the staff is all very eager and they all seem so happy. My Midwife group is right there so I pop over every time I have an appointment to see how things are and every time they seem like they are all so happy. If you are in Issaquah you may want to check it out??

MrsAmyB · December 2011

No matter what, they are both excellent hospitals each with a level III NICU. We chose Evergreen for both of my pregnancies. The first with the midwives for a no complication pregnancy/delivery. The second was a very high risk triplet pregnancy with PTL, an antepartum stay, c-section, and 6 weeks of NICU stay. And that was For the most part as best of an experience as it could have been...under the circumstances. The biggest differences between the two is that Overlake has very high security standards for your baby. Which is helpful if you are a celeb or Bill Gates who paid for those security measures to be put in place. The other is that I much prefer the Evergreen NICU over Overlake. Overlake has tiny rooms partitioned off by curtains. So you have less privacy and you can hear other babies/people. Evergreens NICU has private rooms that you can stay in with your own bathroom, couch, recliner, etc. Evergreen is not much farther than Overlake really. It's just a few more minutes on 405 and with the new offramp, it takes you right to the hospital. You will likely be happy with either choice!

Want a personalized experience?

Evergreen or Overlake?

Re: Evergreen or Overlake?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards