My doctor delivers at both MoBap and St. Clare's. He prefers St. Clare's for me, as well. MoBap had a better staff (homier feeling), but St. Clare seemed to be a better hospital. MoBap made me feel clausterphobic just touring so I'm concerned I'll feel like that in delivery. I'm prone to panic attacks so that's a concern. Downside: No NICU at St. Clare's. But my doctor told me not to plan on needed a NICU anyway.
Thoughts?
Re: Delivery Hospitals in STL
I think you should deliver at whichever one makes you comfortable. Will the fact that St. Clare's doesn't have an NICU make you nervous during your delivery? No one ever plans on complications during birth, but sometimes they happen. Or will the cramped spaces and halls make you feel claustrophobic at MOBap?
Both are great hospitals. I think you will be fine no matter which one you choose. Good luck in your decision making!
With DS1 we toured MOBAP and St. Joe's (Kirkwood). I hated that at MOBAP you moved from room to room, it felt like an assembly line to me, it seemed busier, and the rooms were small. We went to St. Joe's for a BFing class (after we already decided to go to MOBAP) and we were so surprised by how quiet and quaint it was. We then decided to "tour" St. Joe's after our BFing class and that was it, we'd decided that it was the right fit for us (I also liked that St. Joe's and now St. Clare's doesn't have set tours, you go, see the rooms, get 1-on-1 attention with a nurse to answer all of your questions). St. Clare's is pretty much the same at St. Joe's, just newer. The rooms are huge, same nursing staff, still just 1 room from the time you check in until you check out other than triage (of course they don't want to dirty a whole room if you're NOT actually in labor, and you start in triage if you have a scheduled c/s because the OR is literally a few steps away from traige.
I'm sure it's pretty clear where I'll be delivering. I don't think either is right or wrong, just depends on what's important to you. I feel very comfortable at St. Clare's (it's also where my twins were born at 38w).
GSx1 - 05/13/2013
GSx2 for T&B - EDD 6/21/2015 - They're having a GIRL!
This is my DH too. He tries to convince everyone to deliver there because of the slushie machines.
GSx1 - 05/13/2013
GSx2 for T&B - EDD 6/21/2015 - They're having a GIRL!
I have delievered at Mercy and they were wonderful! This time around I have a new doctor due to my old doctor retiring and am going to St. Joe's in St. Charles because it is between that and Barnes. I did hear of the slushy machine and am pretty excited for that as well, lol.