Hospital with NICU?

chesterdoodle · February 2016

I am due with twins in june and have befun questioning whether i should be delivering at a hospital with a full NICU? I wanted to deliver at the same hospital i delivered my first but i would hate it if my babies had to go to a different hospital while i was stuck at the other hospital. I want to make sure i am doing everything right for the twins. Any advice/ experience? I have a doc appt next week so i can find out more about what their hospital offers in terms of NICU but i know its not like the other hospitals in Boston.

Thanks in advance for your comments/advice!

efhoping2010 · February 2016

Having given birth to twins in 2010 and am now pregnant with a second set, I would say you need to deliver at a hospital with a NICU. You just never know if you will deliver early or even if at term that there will not be some complication. I will have to give birth this time two hours away because that is the closest NICU but it is worth it to know my babies will have a NICU available if needed.

calico34 · February 2016

It sounds like you have yourself a pretty good argument as to why you should deliver at a hospital with a NICU. I know if it were me I would considering all the possible scenarios!

kdebesche4 · February 2016

I live in the mountains and our hospital does not have a NICU. Because of this, if I go into labor before 35 weeks I am automatically airlifted to the states Children's Hospital to make sure I have the NICU care available (standard procedure for our area). Maybe see if there is a cutoff date where your dr would feel ok about you delivering at the hospital you prefer?

chesterdoodle · February 2016

kdebesche4 -
Thats a great point. I will ask my doctor on wednesday. Thank you!

tmk0325 · February 2016

My doctor told me that I will have to go to one of the other hospitals in the state if i go super early, because they do not have a nicu. It's about 45 minutes away... i debated finding an OB there right away but I really like my doctor..

Tawny87 · February 2016

I planned to switch to a hospital in the next town with a NICU. I was having an NST at the local hospital (33 weeks) and they decided I needed to be transferred and delivered that afternoon. Dr came in mid filling out transfer papers and said that we needed a section ASAP. Thankfully the girls at 3 lbs came out healthy enough to stay where we delivered. I do not think it would be a bad thing to transfer your care to a dr with privileges at a NICU hospital. I would do it now as they will most likely be born from April- June so you have time to familiarize your self with the new office and hospital.

wmam35 · February 2016

My hospital where I am delivering does not have a NICU, but if I were to go before 35 weeks or if they were to find that something was wrong, I would be transferred immediately to a hospital where there is a NICU. I worried about this too but then when I asked my doctor they told me that, and also seemed very calm about it, which made me feel better as well. I bet after you talk to your doctor and hear what their plan would be you'll feel better too!

chesterdoodle · February 2016

Had my doc appt today and confirmed with her that if i go into labor before 32 weeks or they find something that puts the babies at high risk, then i go to a Boston hospital with a level 3 NICU. Otherwise they have a NICU which they call the special care unit. I felt really comfortable with that answer so im going to plan to deliver there pending nothing comes up that makes tge babies higher risk.

blsav23 · February 2016

I wanted to deliver at the hospital with the best NICU in the area. After I was past a certain week, I thought I had certainly made it clear of needing any NICU time & thought it was a moot point. I delivered at 35w6d & my boys spent 8 & 11 days in the NICU. I was so glad to chose that hospital as the nurses & doc's are the best around. My opinion is to veer on the side of caution & choose a hospital with NICU.

littlesocks · February 2016

@chesterdoodle YGPM. I'm also located in MA - expecting twins in March.

DrD30 · February 2016

I wholeheartedly agree with going to a hospital with a NICU. My guys were born at 35+4 and the resident who checked my in said "great job, they won't need any NICU time". As a surprise to us all my guy had tachypnea and needed to be in the NICU on CPAP and was there for 12 days. I can't even begin to imagine being in a different hospital. You are a hormonal mess as it is after your twins come and being in a different hospital than one or both of them would just be too much!

kde4 · February 2016

I'm also a supporter of delivering at a hospital with a NICU. I delivered at 35 + 2, and my boys were in the NICU for 10 days. For what it's worth, I was really afraid of having time in the NICU but it ended up being much better than I expected. If you do end up with NICU time, there are some positives that come along with it...including extra help while you recover. Of course nobody *wants* NICU time, but there are silver linings if it does happen. Good luck!

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