Hi there,
I am new to Baltimore and 10 weeks along. I am not sure where to deliever at? I have an OB at UMD but curious about Saint Joesphs or GBMC. I want an at home/ cushy birthing environment but not doing a natural birth (will be doing an epidural). Basically want a nice room that my husband and I will feel comfortable in. UMD seems very hospital like but also haven't toured the labor and delivery. I guess there is also Mercy. It's really hard to find info on the internet and don't know anyone who has delivered in Baltimore. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!!
Re: UMD, St Joes, or GBMC?? New to Baltimore
I remember hospital rooms at St Joes not in L&D but elsewhere and I was impressed. Dr Daya is an excellent Dr and he has privileges at both St Josephs and GBMC. I think he prefers GBMC and does most deliveries there, that speaks volumes to me also. I do recall my DH and his ex delivered SD at St Joes schedule C section and he didn't get to see a thing (from what he remembers) that there bothered me, i got the impression they were strict so I would go elsewhere first (I could be mistaken though this is MY feeling)
I know you weren't specifically asking Dr recs, maybe you could tour both L&D?
I cannot speak from personal experience as I am a FTM, BUT I am actually an RN in one of the ICU's at UMMC (UMD). Although there are many things I love and would recommend about our hospital, L&D is probably not one of them unless you end up being super super high risk. The nurses, OBs and midwives are wonderful and highly skilled/knowledgeable in obstetrics but there is definitely a focus on high risk patients/patients with lots of comorbidities. We do have a great NICU. L&D is a small unit, and the rooms are teeny teeny tiny. Patient population is a little iffy, very different experience than that of a community hospital. We are a large university teaching hospital so there will be daily rounds and more than likely (unless you specify otherwise) med student or nursing students around. One of my co-workers just took a job there, if you want to PM me feel free... I could get back to you once she starts. I do have a friend who was very high risk and was there for 6 weeks for OB care inpatient before delivering. I know her experience was good, but also very complicated. She had a wonderful experience with our NICU.
I know the rooms at St. Joe are very nice, and we now own them so they're part of the UMM System but are still a community hospital, probably more the feel you're going for. My cousin delivered all 3 of her kids there (singleton first and then twins) and had a great experience with both L&D and the NICU at St. Joes.
Ditto PP, Mercy is very nice. The midwives and OB's there are great. I did clinical time there and I really liked it. If I lived closer to the city I would probably choose to deliver there.
All children in my family have been delivered at St Joseph.
Had several bad experiences at GMBC, non-pregnancy related.