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September 2013 Moms
How far away is the hospital where you will deliver baby?
I'm a little over 5 weeks pregnant. I had my annual physical last Thursday and pregnancy was confirmed. I need to choose an OB, but in part need to base this decision on where I will deliver the baby.
Hospital A: Has a nicu. Labor and Delivery has poor reputation. 20 minutes away. The OB I would chose would also be 20 minutes away.
Hospital B: Also has a nicu. Labor and Delivery has a fantastic reputation. 60 minutes away. The closest OB with privileges at this hospital is 30-40 minutes away from me. I know that I would feel very safe and supported at this hospital during delivery, but am wondering if it will be worth the long trips every time I go to see the OB.
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Re: How far away is the hospital where you will deliver baby?
The hospital I'll deliver at is about 20-25 mins away. But, it has amazing reviews, and an awesome NICU. Plus, it's the only hospital my current OB delivers at.
The one I delivered my son at was horrible. The nurses had no compassion at all. I couldn't wait to leave. I was only there for 36 hours, but it was the worst. On top of losing my son, the way I was treated there sucked.
From work it's right across the street. From home it's about 20 minutes away. My old gyno, who is also an OB, was about 45 minutes away and I left her to my closer hospital.
For the L&D that has a poor reputation, would it be possible for you to get a doula to help support you?
BFP Oct 16, 2012 M/C Nov 10, 2012
BFP Dec 31, 2012 EDD Sept 12, 2013
That hospital sounds amazing!
OP I would go with the hospital you are most comfortable with. Take tours of both places and talk to others who have delivered at each place.
DS born 4/06/14
MC #2 August 2015
CP November 2015
MC#3 January 2016
BFP 5/11/16 EDD 1/19/17
BFP #1 : 05.08.11 : EDD : 01.16.12 : DOB : 01.15.12
BFP #2 : 12.26.12 : EDD : 09.08.13 : DOB : 09.03.13
That sucks you had such a bad experience and I'm very sorry about your son.
DS born 4/06/14
MC #2 August 2015
CP November 2015
MC#3 January 2016
BFP 5/11/16 EDD 1/19/17
Hospital A - I've heard from moms who have delivered there, and it's even evident in the hospital's own literature, that it is not as progressive. In other words, no options to move around during labor, epidural only pain management that is mentioned, not as supportive with breast feeding, feet in stirrups/directed pushing, not as many options if something goes wrong (smaller town, not as many specialists).
Hospital B has private rooms with jacuzzi to labor in, offers a lot of flexibility (epidural but also many other types of medication, birth balls, heat, counter pressure, etc.), multiple positions for pushing/encourage to push when feel need to, very supportive of breast feeding, many specialists including a nearby children's hospital, lots of options (midwives, doulas, etc.), very experienced and equipped to handle difficult births/high risk situations, baby/partner stays in room, after birth they put bonding/skin-to-skin first and hold off on routine newborn medical procedure as long as baby is healthy.
I don't yet know what type of birth I want/will be able to have, but like the idea of having options and also feel safer with hospital B. The distance could make it very difficult though, both for appointments and also the long ride when in labor. It could be more difficult to schedule appointments around work schedule, at a time when I'm trying to save up sick time for maternity leave. I'm very conflicted.
We have a hospital in the nearest town to where I live, and I could be there in about 25 minutes. However, they have no nicu, and still operate as though it is 1970. Everyone I have talked to here has told me that they would recommend going anywhere but there for a number of reasons, even if it means driving for hours.
The closest hospital with a nicu is 2.5 hours away.
Later in my pregnancy, we plan on relocating (for the purpose of having my baby) to an actual city about 7 hours away so I can deliver in a facility that I trust, and with a doctor who I know and trust. And I'm 95% certain that we'll move back a couple months after the baby is born.
I think you need to decide what kind of birth you plan to have. If you want to go unmedicated, then Hospital B sounds like it's for you. If you plan to get an epidural then either seem to be fine.
I wouldn't worry too much about the skin to skin and breastfeeding stuff too much. If you want skin to skin, tell them. I doubt many hospitals nowadays are going to not allow you to do that. The benefits are apparent. Breastfeeding same. No one can make you not breastfeed. I would like to think every hospital has at least one lactation consultant that you can contact if you have questions or need help beyond the nurses. Maybe I'm ignorant as to what goes on at other hospitals though.
I'm so sorry that in addition to losing your son, you were treated poorly on top of it. I can't even imagine how awful that all was and is.
The birth center we're going to is 45 minutes away. There are 4 other hospitals that are closer (3 that are small and I wouldn't consider, one that is large and happens to be where I work). It would be easier for me to go to the one where I work (to get to appts), but I like the natural focus of the other hospital/birth center.
From what you said in your reply, I would go with hospital B.
I think you already have your answer to your question.
I would choose option B just based on what you have said. Remember that most labours last longer than what you see on tv, so you should have plenty of time to make it there. Also, our babies are due in good weather seasons, so road conditions shouldn't be a factor (DS1 was born in a blizzard but we are only about 15 minutes away)
I would go to the one you like! I have the option of 30 minutes (hospital with ok reputation) and 60 minutes (Birthing center). I am planning on visiting both in the near future and seeing which one I like best.
I am a little nervous about a long drive day of delivery, but my first labor was quite long. Also, if I couldn't make it because the baby was coming to quickly, I am pretty sure the hospital would not turn me away.
TTC since: September 2010
BFP 1/18/2013 - beta #1 - 174
1/21/2013 beta #2 - 705
definetly go with the one you like best....it makes all the differnce in your delivery.
we have two hospital choices one is 30 mins away (crappy reputation) the other is 45....we choose the second because the care there is amazing!
Married the love of my life in 2011
DS born in 2012
DS2 born in 2013
Lil surprise due October 18th!
J+E ~ 08/25/2007 DD#1 ~ 05/11/2010 DD#2 ~ 09/25/2013 DD#3 ~ 06/09/2016 Baby #4 Due ~ 01/16/2023
Personally, I'd drive the hour for the better hospital. Even with a textbook pregnancy and delivery, my daughter ended up in NICU. You just never know what might happen.
In answer to your first question, our hospital is less than 10 minutes from home.
BFP#1 5/11/11 . EDD 1/17/12 . M/C and D&C 6/15/11 . RIP Little Bean
BFP#2 8/15/11 . EDD 4/26/12. Blighted Ovum. D&C 9/18/11
BFP#3 1/4/13. EDD 9/14/13. *Fingers Crossed*
I drive 30 minutes to see my OB (from home, 45-50) from work. He is located w/i the hospital campus where I plan to deliver again. They have a highly rated NICU and huge, renovated L&D wing.
The local hospital that is 10 minutes from us has no NICU and an awful reputation. I doubt I would even go there in a dire emergency it is that bad.
The birth center I go to can be up to an hour and a half drive (more if it's really bad traffic or an accident).
I just try to schedule my appointments to avoid rush hour and with my last delivery I went in at 3am so no traffic at all, luckily. I think if you will get the birth experience you really want, it's worth a longer drive.