To switch or not to switch?

ebalkits · August 2014

First, I want to apologize for not being as active on this board as much as I was in the beginning. It's been a very crazy busy summer, but I remember this being a friendly group and helpful with some of my earlier pregnancy issues. I am currently 28 weeks pregnant and we just sold our house and purchased another. Our closing date for the new house is 10/6 and my due date is 11/16, so we're cutting it very close! Our new house is about an hour from where we currently live. I'm not sure if I should continue with my current ob/gyn and hospital plan or try to switch doctors/hospital. I love my current doctor, however I didn't have the best experience in the hospital with my first child, which was surprising since it's suppose to be one of the best in the area. I really don't like the idea of being that far from the hospital and being an hour away from my daughter. If any issues were to arise at home, it would take my husband an hour to get to my daughter and at least 2 and a half hours to get back to me and the new baby in the hospital, which is a bit unsettling. However, I have only two hospital options at the new house. One is a smaller hospital and doesn't have a NICU, which really worries me. My sister gave birth there and loved it, but she didn't have any complications. The second is a brand new, beautiful facility with a NICU, however there are only 2 huge medical groups associated with the hospital. About 15 doctors in each practice, so even if I find a doctor I like, there's a good chance a complete stranger can deliver my baby. I was told by both practices that it depends on who's on call. I still like the idea of only being 15 minutes from home and my daughter though. Opinions?

Cici3913 · August 2014

I would go to the one close to the new house with the NICU. I thought there was always a possibility that your specific OB wouldn't be there to deliver your baby? I know that's how it is with mine anyway. The doctor really just runs in right before the baby is actually delivered anyway. I'm more worried about what nurses are going to be working when I go into labor. That might just be me though.

scarlet3egonias · August 2014

I'm a FTM, but personally, I'd switch. I wouldn't be comfortable being that far from my hospital. If the lack of a NICU bothers you, maybe look into the other available hospital. I know I'm probably in the minority but to me as long as a trained professional was delivering my baby, I'd be fine with it. I'd certainly prefer my dr, but it wouldn't be the end of the world.

erinwithtwins · August 2014

I too would move to the hospital with the Nicu. Hopefully you don't need it but seems better to have the NICU ready to go. Make sure to get a pediatrician picked out that has privileges at that hospital too.

jj0313 · August 2014

I'd switch. No way would I want to drive an hour to the hospital unless absolutely necessary. I won't know who is delivering mine but my practice has a model where you purposely alternate each appt so you get to know each one. Word on the street is the relationship with the nurse far outweighs the one with the doctor and you won't know the nurse before anyways. You could consider a doula or labor coach if having a familiar face is truly important to you.

meeshybee · August 2014

I would go with the new NICU hospital. I drive past the hospital that is literally a mile from my house to go to the hospital that has the area's best NICU/Children's Hospital. I am low risk but if anything did go really wrong, they'd send LO to that hospital anyway and I would be heartbroken not to be with her.

As far as your OB not delivering your baby, there's always that possibility. I love my OB, but she was on vacation when my first AND my second were born so I had to have different docs deliver. Obviously I prefer my own doc, but as long as I get a healthy baby out of it I'm happy.

mrsrich3 · August 2014

I just moved an hour away from my hospital a couple weeks ago, but I decided to continue to see my original doctor. I'm comfortable with him, and I don't like the idea of being at a practice that has 7+ doctors that you never really get to know. I understand things do happen and my current doctor may be unavailable at the time of deliver, but thats a small chance I'm willing to take. Being an hour away is a little scary, but labor typically lasts a LONG time. In the event that you can't make it to the original hospital at the time of labor, going to the close hospital is always an option, even if you haven't been a patient there.

absolutelymaybe · August 2014

I would pick the one close to your new house with the NICU. You really want it there just in case (because it would suck to give birth and have to have your baby sent to another hospital before you're discharged).

lovingaddi · August 2014

I would definitely switch and go based off of your sisters recommendation (as long as you have had uncomplicated pregnancies). Although I will say, if you do choose the bigger hospital there is a pretty good chance you wouldn't know your delivery doctor even if you started out there at 8 weeks. I went to a big hospital, big practice with my first DD. I had multiple doctors throughout my labor (long labor and shift changes) and I didn't know ANY of them. Go with your gut (:

phdprocrastinator · August 2014

I'd switch and ask your current OB for recommendations regarding the hospital and finding a new OB.

In my experience, personal experiences of hospitals can be misleading. All it takes is one really great nurse and the mom is raving about the hospital. One terrible nurse, and mom's not pleased. (I had the terrible nurse experience and a friend had the great nurse experience in the same hospital). The OB only comes in at the very end. I'm also with Kaiser and knew there was no chance of my regular doc delivering given the way the hospital is set up (you either work in the hospital or in the doctor's office - you don't do both). That really didn't seem to matter to me, unless you're doing something like a VBAC.

Best of luck! And good luck with your move!

creativesoul83 · August 2014

well I was drawn in by the name of the discussion... That being said I hate change and have gone to the same ob for 13years so I can't honestly answer. I also live in the same house I was brought home from thehospital when I was born....

So good luck and congrats on the new house and welcome back

Melissa2216 · August 2014

I would switch to the smaller, closer hospital provided they have a plan in place if a NICU is needed. Do they airlift to the larger hospital? I had some concerns with the hospital where DS was born, so this time I'm opting for a cozier, more personalized experience at a smaller hospital that does not have a NICU on site. A friend of mine delivered both of her babies there and loved it. Good recommendations mean a lot to me.

silverwings72 · August 2014

I vote go with the smaller hospital recommended by your sister provided that LO is healthy and aren't expecting complications. That way you will be close to home and available for your daughter if needed. Sitting in a car for an hour while in labor does not sound fun.

carafern · August 2014

I agree with PPs that shifting to the closer hospitals would be best.

I'd go with the smaller hospital. We just moved and switched to one of the smaller hospitals in our city because it has a great reputation with natural childbirth (what I'm hoping for). We did a tour and found out that they only have a level II NICU and if a LO has major problems they would send us both to another local hospital. That would suck big time, but I think its unlikely and I'm confident they can transfer us if need be. I chose to go with the hospital that has great recommendations by people I've asked (doulas, friends) than the bigger fancier one.

ebalkits · August 2014

Thanks for all your great advice! I have an appointment with my doctor next week, so I plan to discuss it with him. Right now I'm leaning towards switching, so we'll see!

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