would you drive for a nicer hospital?

luvU2theMoon · December 2013

I am a FTM who deals with serious anxiety and finding a hospital is triggering my anxiety to the max!! So now I am having a terrible time deciding on a hospital. I have heard good things about both hospitals that i am choosing between. They are both Natural Birth friendly and very supportive of natural birth.

First hospital is a mile away from me. Its a christian based hospital and they are a very relaxed and quiet hospital. they do not see high risk mom but are only two blocks from Childrens Hospital in case of a serious problem but they also have the resources for problem deliveries. Its a little older and smaller but i have heard wonderful things about them.

Second choice is about 15 minutes away from me. Its a newer hospital and its extremely nice with larger rooms. I have also heard wonderful things about hthem. The thing that is really pushing me towards them is the fact that they offer free Doulas (on a first come first serve basis) which i really like since i dont want to spend 100's of dollars on one but i like the idea of a Doula. They are also a low risk hospital and the only concern i have is that they are not anywhere near childrens or a level one hospital but again have the resources to deal with minor problems.

Do you think its worth it to drive the extra distance for the nicer hospital or do i just give up the doula and stay close? My midwife is no help as she delivers at both and has nothing but great things to say about both.

Katiecave · December 2013

15 minutes difference isn't bad. I wouldn't really take that into account. Just go for the one YOU like better!

Serenla · December 2013

15 mins is not far I'd do it if you like it better.

thomas930 · December 2013

Yeah, 15 mins isn't that big of a difference. I'd pick whatever one your most comfortable with.

The hospital I'm going to is just over an hour away from where I live.

Beachgal72 · December 2013

I would not worry about a 15 minute drive. Definitely just pick the hospital you prefer! I have a drive of about 30 minutes to my hospital which is a top-notch hospital but the only one my doctor delivers at so I have no choice. I wish it was closer but it is what it is.

sugarrush · December 2013

Im driving an hour away for my hospital, when I pass about 4 or 5 hospitals along the way that are closer. But my difference is that I work for the hospital system that im delivering at

but its also the best in the city and the state and can handle everything. Our next baby will probably be delivered closer to home i think...

ETA: go to the nicer one if thats what makes you feel better!

loveyoga7 · December 2013

15 mins isnt much of a difference. That's how far we have to drive to the nearest hospital from our house.

nessabeers · December 2013

I choose the 15 minute away from me one instead of the one down the street from us. I would weigh your pros and cons. My decision was based on the NICU, where my specialist delivered, and reviews. I'm very happy that I switched, I could tell a huge difference but good luck in your decision!

ksulli · December 2013

MaiTaiBeth said:
I'm driving an extra 50 min to Boston with no traffic for the best care. With snow and traffic 3+ hours.

Boston Traffic can be a beast- I used to live 7mi south of Boston and a friend/neighbor wanted to deliver at a birthing center in Charlestown (just north). Went into labor during rush hour & had the baby in the front steps because she couldn't make it in.

She's freakish with fast labors though. I was over when she started contractions with #2, 12 hours later they were home as a family of four.

MamaFantastic · December 2013

agree... 15 min is nothing!! plus, if the bigger/nicer hospital is only 15 min from you and the other smaller hospital / Children's hospital is right down the road from you, wouldn't that mean Children's hospital is within 20-25 minutes of the nicer bigger hospital you're considering? that's not far at all. in all likelihood you won't have any issues that would require you or the baby to be transferred, but if that happens, it happens. it sounds like you'll be well cared for in either location.

cjpell0 · December 2013

If the one a mile away is right next to a Children's Hospital, wouldn't the one 15 minutes away be at most 15 minutes + a mile from it? I would go to the one you prefer, 15 minutes isn't a big deal at all.

KatieGummow · December 2013

Mine is 10-15 min away, it is a super nice hospital and I would drive a lot further to deliver there. But that is me!

JoelleOK · December 2013

An ambulance can cross that distance very quickly if your baby needs it.

I'm traveling 2.5 hours to my preferred delivery room. And I traveled 1.5 hours for my firstborn.

audditty · December 2013

Almost the same situation here. From everyone I've talked to, it's totally worth the drive, and we will be making it!

MrsZ0811 · December 2013

The closest hospital to me is about 20 minutes away! 15 min is nothing! The hospital i chose is 45 minutes away with no traffic and in good weather! Its a better hospital than the closer one.

kwolslager · December 2013

If it's what you're leaning towards then go for it. But personally from what you described id pick the first option. Just cause for me, those things are more appealing. And Considering that with the second choice doulas are first come first serve. It's not guaranteed you'll get one.
But that's just me! 15 minute drive is not far at all considering many women have to drive even an hour to deliver.

pdilly2b · December 2013

I assume your care provider would be the same for both. Agree that 15 min isn't a big deal (labor in the car sucks, but that's still pretty short).

Do both have tubs to labor in (not necessarily deliver)? That would be my deciding factor if one does and one doesn't since you want to go med free. Actually, that was my deciding factor, but my options were more like 20 min and 30-45 min away, traffic depending. We went with the further one with tubs. I would not have survived otherwise (exagerating of course, but the tub was awesome). If both have tubs, I'd go for the doula hospital.

luvU2theMoon · December 2013

Well now i sound just silly... lol i never leave the City so 15 minutes for me seems like a lot when i am laboring lol. Because i am going naturally i want to wait as long as possible to go to the hospital. i have tours set up and i know i will like the looks of the one thats farther a lot better but i just am having a hard time because i know the one closer has really good reviews i just wish they offered doulas as well... but I really appreciate your comments. I will see how long it taks to get to the farther one in the snow then i will know it will take half the time when there is no snow... however there was definitely snow last april here... like alot!

mommy2twox3 · December 2013

Fifteen minutes isn't bad at all, I'm going to one 20 minutes away and the closest children's hospital is an hour away. I mean, they have helicopters if needed, but still. The drive is worth is for the nicer hospital.

sarahm7310 · December 2013

15 mins isn't bad. I'm driving 30 mins for mine…and could be more with traffic. Nairobi traffic is horrendous. That's been my prayer actually that I go into labor when traffic isn't bad

Serenla · December 2013

ksulli said:

MaiTaiBeth said:
I'm driving an extra 50 min to Boston with no traffic for the best care. With snow and traffic 3+ hours.
Boston Traffic can be a beast- I used to live 7mi south of Boston and a friend/neighbor wanted to deliver at a birthing center in Charlestown (just north). Went into labor during rush hour & had the baby in the front steps because she couldn't make it in.

She's freakish with fast labors though. I was over when she started contractions with #2, 12 hours later they were home as a family of four.

So true, I'm going to be Ting it during the last month so I do not get stuck on the south shore if I go into labor while I'm at work.

snmetz7 · December 2013

I was expecting you to say you were wondering if you should pick a hospital and hour away and prepared to tell you yes! I feel like 15 mins is a non issue.

Serenla · December 2013

@MaiTaiBeth if you see a pissy pregnant lady it is probably me lol

. You know I actually have an easier time driving through Boston than the surrounding burbs. The trick is to commit to your decisions lol, but sometimes I cut through south Boston to get around highway traffic.

The birth center I'm going to is on the North shore, around where I live so about 20 mins away. The trick is I work on the south shore so it is a gamble that labor will not begin at 8am or 5pm m-f lol.

rayray2014 · December 2013

I agree with everyone. 15 mins isn't bad! I'm driving 30-35 mins when I could be 10 mins away. Mainly b/c my obgyn is only able to deliver in the hospital further. It's just a bonus that it's WAY nicer than the one close by!

Sisimama10 · December 2013

15 mins is nothing. Go with the nicer one.

Sisimama10 · December 2013

My hospital is about 25 mins from my house. No big deal.

dreamalways · December 2013

A hospital near to me is about 10 miles away. I chose a dr and hospital that is about 60miles away. The hospital here would take maybe 15min to get to. It takes about an hour to get to the other hospital which is also in a different state, but I love it and feel more comfortable at it.

fourthnlast · December 2013

I'm driving 45 minutes to the hospital, but I've delivered 3 times there before and I would drive 12 hours if I had to! Go to the one YOU feel most comfortable at! Can you tour them both?

maelic · December 2013

I'm in Boston too and while MGH is about 20 minutes away if I take the T, while driving all bets are off.

Note to self, do NOT go into labor during rush hour.

luvU2theMoon · December 2013

fourthnlast said:

I'm driving 45 minutes to the hospital, but I've delivered 3 times there before and I would drive 12 hours if I had to! Go to the one YOU feel most comfortable at! Can you tour them both?

I am going to tour both. i know that by looks i will obviously like the newer one but i will just hear what the staff says and see who i feel more comfortable with.. i just struggle with decision making because of my anxiety.. but it seems like the newer one might be the right choice.

KatieKim0815 · December 2013

I drive an hour for an OB I have an amazing relationship with vs. the hospital 20 mins away.

Totally worth it.

ksulli · December 2013

maelic said:
I'm in Boston too and while MGH is about 20 minutes away if I take the T, while driving all bets are off.

Note to self, do NOT go into labor during rush hour.

I used to live in Quincy, walking distance to the Red line, and was fully expecting to take the T if I went into labor at rush hour. It takes you right across the street from MGH, why wouldn't you? I mean, other than being in labor on the T.

maelic · December 2013

ksulli said:

I'm in Boston too and while MGH is about 20 minutes away if I take the T, while driving all bets are off.

Note to self, do NOT go into labor during rush hour.
I used to live in Quincy, walking distance to the Red line, and was fully expecting to take the T if I went into labor at rush hour. It takes you right across the street from MGH, why wouldn't you? I mean, other than being in labor on the T.

Hah. With the Red Line the way it is there's a good chance I'd be stuck underground and in labor. I do not want to birth my child between Harvard and Central.

knotty-girl · December 2013

15 minutes is nothing (to someone who lives in a city) so if you prefer the further hospital go for it. My doc is a resident at Cedars and it's about a 45 minute drive from me with light traffic. Really the closer options aren't even that much closer. I'm just glad I'm due after spring break and before summer when the beach traffic is horrendous.

Serenla · December 2013

maelic said:

ksulli said:

maelic said:
I'm in Boston too and while MGH is about 20 minutes away if I take the T, while driving all bets are off.

Note to self, do NOT go into labor during rush hour.
I used to live in Quincy, walking distance to the Red line, and was fully expecting to take the T if I went into labor at rush hour. It takes you right across the street from MGH, why wouldn't you? I mean, other than being in labor on the T.

Hah. With the Red Line the way it is there's a good chance I'd be stuck underground and in labor. I do not want to birth my child between Harvard and Central.

With no cell service! Lol.
Generally when I get stuck on the red it is usually going north sometime after MGH.

cjpell0 · December 2013

Serenla said:

ksulli said:

I'm in Boston too and while MGH is about 20 minutes away if I take the T, while driving all bets are off.

Note to self, do NOT go into labor during rush hour.
I used to live in Quincy, walking distance to the Red line, and was fully expecting to take the T if I went into labor at rush hour. It takes you right across the street from MGH, why wouldn't you? I mean, other than being in labor on the T.

Hah. With the Red Line the way it is there's a good chance I'd be stuck underground and in labor. I do not want to birth my child between Harvard and Central.
With no cell service! Lol. Generally when I get stuck on the red it is usually going north sometime after MGH.

I'm hoping to go into labor at work since I work a BWH but I'm a 35 min drive (no traffic), 1 hour via commuter if I go into labor at home

Thirdtimemomma · December 2013

I gave birth to my first son in a small military hospital and so many complications after delivery. With my second and now my third baby, I went to a womens hospital 45 mins away and love it. They take so much better care of you and the baby.
Side note: I have pics of my sons first bath given by a guy in his camouflage uniform that was covered in tattoos. It was so sweet to watch them together.

hordol · December 2013

15 minutes away isn't bad at all! I have a hospital 3-4 miles away from me, but I am choosing to go to one a half hour away (in good traffic!) My top choice would be about 40 minutes away but my OB doesn't deliver there and I didn't want to switch doctors. I think having a hospital you feel comfortable in is important.

Lexii2385 · December 2013

We have a hospital 2 minutes from our house but I'm not going there I'm going to one that's about 15minutes away because it's a better hospital. So do what you feel is right for you

melissashogan · December 2013

My hospital is an hour away there is one close but they do not deliver babies anymore. You are lucky to have 2 choices so close.

pannk · December 2013

knotty-girl said:

15 minutes is nothing (to someone who lives in a city) so if you prefer the further hospital go for it. My doc is a resident at Cedars and it's about a 45 minute drive from me with light traffic. Really the closer options aren't even that much closer. I'm just glad I'm due after spring break and before summer when the beach traffic is horrendous.

I'm delivering at Cedars, also! 20 mins in no traffic for me.

(also my knee jerk reaction was to ask you which route you were going to take, but then I realized how "The Californians" that would be.)

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