I'm having my first baby in June and the MA board is a total ghost town so I hope it's ok that I posted here. I'm switching OB's and trying to find a hospital I feel good about first. I went on a couple hospital tours with hubby (Brigham & Women's and Winchester Hospital) and OMG the rooms are so small and dismal. Literally the size of a shoebox. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating but seriously, there was a bed and not room for much else in the space. I expected to like Brigham much more because of the glowing reviews, but I can't say I did. I got sick on the tour because there were so many people crushed into the room that I felt claustrophobic. The rooms were so hot too. I can't imagine laboring and spending my first days as a mom in such an uncomfortable and cramped environment. I know that it's not a hotel and you shouldn't base a choice like this off of trivial things....but I honestly can't imagine spending two days there and not getting majorly depressed. At least I thought they would be a tad bit larger. I don't even know how we would have visitors. My thought was that bigger hospitals would include more space/comfort/better environment but I didn't find that. I wanted to tour Mass General but you can't tour there unless you are already a patient and over 30 weeks.
So my question is for MA moms, where did you deliver and what was the space/experience like? Are there better options? I just want to find a comfortable place to have my baby. I live on the North Shore but have family all over so I'm willing to consider any hospital in MA at this point. Thanks for any help!
Not sure if you will be finding luxurious accommodations at any hospital, but Newton-Wellesley has a newly renovated labor and delivery that you might want to check out.
What area do you live in? And are you limited to any hospitals? I delivered my first in Beth Israeal, and the rooms were fairly big, when comparing to my sisters in NY, which seemed smaller. This time around I'll be delivering in Newton-Wellesley, and I heard nothing but good things. I plan a tour in May.
Where does your OB deliver at? Because at least in Florida you don't get a choice of hospital.
The delivery room will be bigger than the recovery room. With my first I stayed in my Delivery room, until the second night when they had to boot me into a small recovery room. They don't like to Put women in there unless they are full. It was fine.
I'm delivering at a different hospital because I have a different OB, this hospital is newer so the rooms are bigger.
I think IF you have an option with your insurance/provider and all other things are equal (availability of NICU and care for mom in case of emergency) then of course a bigger or nicer room will be more comfortable. But it’s MUCH more important to have a doctor you know and trust and to be in a safe environment where you and baby will get good medical care. Ultimately it’s 48-72 hours of your life so some dingy decor and close quarters aren’t going to matter much in the long run.
I delivered at BIDMC almost 10 years ago for my first. Rooms for me were good size, clean both times (I guess they only double you if necessary), and post-partum nurses were good. Delivery for me was awful though, my physician was out of town and the on-call made for a bad experience. I know other moms who delivered there and were happy enough with the experience, however.
Re: Cramped Hospital Rooms! Massachusetts
Not sure if you will be finding luxurious accommodations at any hospital, but Newton-Wellesley has a newly renovated labor and delivery that you might want to check out.
The delivery room will be bigger than the recovery room. With my first I stayed in my Delivery room, until the second night when they had to boot me into a small recovery room. They don't like to Put women in there unless they are full. It was fine.
I'm delivering at a different hospital because I have a different OB, this hospital is newer so the rooms are bigger.