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Post by sammichcat on Nov 1, 2017 22:04:16 GMT -6
My doctor has admitting privileges at three local hospitals so I've started researching. How did you decide which hospital you wanted or what are the factors you are considering now?
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jaidit
Ruby
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Post by jaidit on Nov 1, 2017 22:19:43 GMT -6
I had about 20 hospitals to choose from. I first narrowed it down by choosing public over private. Next, I looked into the ratings of their maternity sections, and chose the one that had the best NICU facilities, just in case.
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Risscaboobs
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Fuck is by far my favorite F word.
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Post by Risscaboobs on Nov 2, 2017 7:02:15 GMT -6
I only had two to choose from so it was fairly easy. I honestly just looked at birthing suites, room-in practices vs. nursery, etc.
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Post by kookie3631 on Nov 2, 2017 7:44:35 GMT -6
I followed my OB to the hospital he now delivers at. It's a little further away from home, but I'm more comfortable with the doctors at this location than the doctors they merged with.
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Post by flyliceandcoffee on Nov 2, 2017 9:42:06 GMT -6
I actually chose my hospital first and then picked my OB based on if they deliver there. When we had DD the hospital we chose to deliver at was the only hospital in our state with a baby-friendly designation and had a post-delivery support group as well. They've since expanded the number of baby-friendly hospitals in the state, but we're staying with our hospital because we had a great experience with both kids.
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Post by daisy818 on Nov 2, 2017 10:18:15 GMT -6
There are only two hospitals to choose from, my OB has privileges at both, and they are both about 10 minutes from my house, so frankly, I would just going where the OB tells me she wants me to go. However, DH had a bad experience when his son was born at the one hospital 14 years ago, so he's really pushing for the other one - that may end up being the deciding factor. Even though I think it's hard to judge a hospital based on something that happened so long ago, if he has all these traumatic memories there, I definitely get that it would make for an unpleasant experience for him.
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budders
Amethyst
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Post by budders on Nov 2, 2017 11:18:15 GMT -6
The practice I go to only delivers at one hospital, which is kind of far from my house, but I really trust and like the practice, and the hospital is up on the current research and practices and supportive of letting the woman lead the way given that all is well with Mom and baby.
I had my own private room that I both delivered in and stayed in postpartum, which was very reassuring to me. I also had my own nurse who was only assigned to me. They encourage rooming in and breast-feeding, but are very flexible based on your plan, and I just felt very supported there and had a good experience.
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Post by bebbysue on Nov 2, 2017 12:30:16 GMT -6
The MW I see works for my OB and he only delivers at one hospital but honestly, I would switch OB's before switching hospitals. The fact that they are baby friendly certified is a really huge plus for me (and their birthing suites are amazing) but the biggest factor was the NICU and the fact that the children's hospital is next door, with a connecting walkway, so if anything happened, I knew I wouldn't be far from my child.
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Post by tincupchalice on Nov 2, 2017 13:41:00 GMT -6
I'm doing the same one I did last time. It's closest.
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Speedy
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Post by Speedy on Nov 2, 2017 13:48:19 GMT -6
We've only got 2 hospitals in our city (only about 150k people in the greater area) - one is designated "English" and one is designated "French". Normally I would have picked the English hospital, since I'm English, but I had really bad experiences with the English hospital OBs with my 2 losses, so I'm going to go to the French hospital, and the OB clinic there. I'll just have to have them write in realllly big letters "ENGLISH ONLY" lol
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tinyjoys
Ruby
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Post by tinyjoys on Nov 2, 2017 13:52:41 GMT -6
My OB delivers out of only one hospital in the area and I've been seeing him for 11 years now, so I go where he goes. Both my previous deliveries were at this hospital and the experiences were awesome, so I have no qualms about only have the single option.
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Post by charliefox on Nov 2, 2017 14:27:44 GMT -6
With DS I chose the midwife practice before thinking about the hospital (actually chose our insurance based on which one covered the midwives), and they only deliver at one hospital but it's the one I would have chosen anyway. It's nearby, the only baby-friendly designated hospital in the state, has the best NICU (which we ended up needing), and it's next to the children's hospital. It's also a university hospital which I really like, but may turn others off.
Will be using the same midwives & hospital this time around too.
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Post by charliefox on Nov 2, 2017 14:30:18 GMT -6
The MW I see works for my OB and he only delivers at one hospital but honestly, I would switch OB's before switching hospitals. The fact that they are baby friendly certified is a really huge plus for me (and their birthing suites are amazing) but the biggest factor was the NICU and the fact that the children's hospital is next door, with a connecting walkway, so if anything happened, I knew I wouldn't be far from my child. Lol, do we live in the same place? Our children's hospital is connected by a walkway to the hospital too (which might be more common than I realize, lol). |
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Post by bebbysue on Nov 2, 2017 14:39:36 GMT -6
The MW I see works for my OB and he only delivers at one hospital but honestly, I would switch OB's before switching hospitals. The fact that they are baby friendly certified is a really huge plus for me (and their birthing suites are amazing) but the biggest factor was the NICU and the fact that the children's hospital is next door, with a connecting walkway, so if anything happened, I knew I wouldn't be far from my child. Lol, do we live in the same place? Our children's hospital is connected by a walkway to the hospital too (which might be more common than I realize, lol). As i was reading your response, I thought the exact same thing LOL. I'm in MI... |
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Post by charliefox on Nov 2, 2017 16:20:40 GMT -6
Lol, do we live in the same place? Our children's hospital is connected by a walkway to the hospital too (which might be more common than I realize, lol). As i was reading your response, I thought the exact same thing LOL. I'm in MI... Womp, womp...Utah here. |
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Post by sammichcat on Nov 2, 2017 19:17:45 GMT -6
I had about 20 hospitals to choose from. I first narrowed it down by choosing public over private. Next, I looked into the ratings of their maternity sections, and chose the one that had the best NICU facilities, just in case. Where did you find the ratings? |
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Post by sammichcat on Nov 2, 2017 19:26:11 GMT -6
A lot of people are mentioning "baby friendly" designations. I guess I'm the downer here, I had negative experiences from that campaign. I was shamed by nurses when struggling with getting my children to latch(several days) and wanted to feed formula in the mean time. I didn't need people telling me I was being a bad mom when I was barely keeping it together on four hours of sleep.
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jaidit
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Post by jaidit on Nov 2, 2017 20:18:39 GMT -6
I had about 20 hospitals to choose from. I first narrowed it down by choosing public over private. Next, I looked into the ratings of their maternity sections, and chose the one that had the best NICU facilities, just in case. Where did you find the ratings? Here (in France) there are tons of rating systems for the maternity wings of hospitals, along with user reviews. I was glad to see them, because the hospital closet to me was actually one of the worst. |
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jessila
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Post by jessila on Nov 3, 2017 5:33:31 GMT -6
There's only one hospital in the county so that's where I go. It's only 10 minutes from my house so that's nice. The maternity wing has private rooms, encourages rooming in (but will take the baby if you ask because you need sleep), they sent in an LC multiple times a day to check on us, and the nurses were supportive, helpful, and great overall. I enjoyed being there last time.
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Post by bebbysue on Nov 3, 2017 7:38:47 GMT -6
A lot of people are mentioning "baby friendly" designations. I guess I'm the downer here, I had negative experiences from that campaign. I was shamed by nurses when struggling with getting my children to latch(several days) and wanted to feed formula in the mean time. I didn't need people telling me I was being a bad mom when I was barely keeping it together on four hours of sleep. I'm sorry you had a bad experience. You definitely didn't need that  That never should have happened. |
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Post by flyliceandcoffee on Nov 3, 2017 13:27:59 GMT -6
A lot of people are mentioning "baby friendly" designations. I guess I'm the downer here, I had negative experiences from that campaign. I was shamed by nurses when struggling with getting my children to latch(several days) and wanted to feed formula in the mean time. I didn't need people telling me I was being a bad mom when I was barely keeping it together on four hours of sleep. I'm sorry you went through that! I do think it depends on the hospital and the people there regardless of the "baby friendly" designation. Some take it to the extreme and refuse to allow for formula at all which I think is absolutely the wrong approach as well. It really should be all about what's best for the baby. I myself had a hard time breastfeeding our daughter and it was the lactation specialists at our hospital who suggested formula to us and showed us how to do a makeshift sns system so she was both breastfeeding and getting formula. A friend of mine who also delivered at the same hospital was/is unable to produce milk at all. And it was through the lactation specialists that they were able to determine that it as the issue. I hope you don't take any of this to mean your experience isn't a valid one, more as just another experience that can help others. I think in any case, when choosing a hospital, regardless of designations or not, the important thing is to ask questions. Ask what they'd do in this scenario, take a tour of the hospital and chat with the nurses. etc. That'll ultimately be more important than any label. |
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Post by charliefox on Nov 3, 2017 14:49:56 GMT -6
A lot of people are mentioning "baby friendly" designations. I guess I'm the downer here, I had negative experiences from that campaign. I was shamed by nurses when struggling with getting my children to latch(several days) and wanted to feed formula in the mean time. I didn't need people telling me I was being a bad mom when I was barely keeping it together on four hours of sleep. I'm so sorry you had a bad experience. Breastfeeding is so personal and can be SO hard, and I'm really sorry you were made to feel bad on top of that. I had only heard of "baby friendly" and liked that my hospital had the designation HOWEVER, my experience was that it wasn't actually very breastfeeding friendly and I do think it's important to mention that it might not be what you think going in. I had a very long labor and pushed for 4.5 hours, DS and I both had infections and he had to be swept away to the NICU. Needless to say, I was totally out of it after he was born and didn't even know to ask about a pump. One wasn't offered to me for almost 24 hours after he was born, then they didn't have anyone to show me how to use it. It took another 8 hours before they got an OT who tried to help me. Then when I visited DS in the NICU they never had a LC available to help us. It was really frustrating that I couldn't get any help and that my supply suffered because no one offered me a pump. As a first time mom there was so much I didn't know and they are supposed to be there to help you. This time around both H and I know so much more but it makes to sad to think about other first time parents who may have suffered the same way we did. Oh, and being "baby friendly" the nurses in the NICU joked that it was no longer the nurse who could get your baby to drink the most formula that was the "best" nurse. Really? Then why were you feeding my newborn almost 2-3oz of formula?! Sorry, rant over. |
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robot
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Post by robot on Nov 3, 2017 15:56:59 GMT -6
A lot of people are mentioning "baby friendly" designations. I guess I'm the downer here, I had negative experiences from that campaign. I was shamed by nurses when struggling with getting my children to latch(several days) and wanted to feed formula in the mean time. I didn't need people telling me I was being a bad mom when I was barely keeping it together on four hours of sleep. I’ll hang with you. I have a lot to think about and talk to my MWs about but I went through absolute hell with BFing last time and I’m not even sure I want to try this time. I don’t think “baby friendly” is the be all, end all and you are not the first person who I’ve heard with this experience. |
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Post by sammichcat on Nov 3, 2017 20:55:20 GMT -6
A lot of people are mentioning "baby friendly" designations. I guess I'm the downer here, I had negative experiences from that campaign. I was shamed by nurses when struggling with getting my children to latch(several days) and wanted to feed formula in the mean time. I didn't need people telling me I was being a bad mom when I was barely keeping it together on four hours of sleep. I'm sorry you went through that! I do think it depends on the hospital and the people there regardless of the "baby friendly" designation. Some take it to the extreme and refuse to allow for formula at all which I think is absolutely the wrong approach as well. It really should be all about what's best for the baby. I myself had a hard time breastfeeding our daughter and it was the lactation specialists at our hospital who suggested formula to us and showed us how to do a makeshift sns system so she was both breastfeeding and getting formula. A friend of mine who also delivered at the same hospital was/is unable to produce milk at all. And it was through the lactation specialists that they were able to determine that it as the issue. I hope you don't take any of this to mean your experience isn't a valid one, more as just another experience that can help others. I think in any case, when choosing a hospital, regardless of designations or not, the important thing is to ask questions. Ask what they'd do in this scenario, take a tour of the hospital and chat with the nurses. etc. That'll ultimately be more important than any label. I totally agree that my experiences are not what always happens, I just don't like when agendas are pushed and nurses may feel the need to do/say things to reach some quota or whatever to meet the criteria. It encourages these situations. And I know, this is the opposite of what it used to be when women were shamed for wanting to breastfeed and had trouble getting help. But I just don't understand why it has to be a policy to encourage one or the other at all. Seems like marketing to attract expectant mothers. I will say though, that I am very very happy with the increased number of lactation consultants, though. They are pure gold. I've never had negative experience with any of them. Breastfeeding can be SO much harder than it seems. The third day, when my son finally figured it out, I was ecstatic. I'm really glad you had a good experiences with them too. |
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Post by sammichcat on Nov 3, 2017 21:43:19 GMT -6
How important is having vs not having a NICU? Would that be a deal breaker for you ladies?
The smaller hospital I'm considering only has a Level II Neonatal Special Care Nursery. I'm having a RCS, but things happen so I don't know. I'm leaning more toward the one with the NICU even if it is 10 minutes further from home/work.
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Post by daffodilsandcoffee on Nov 4, 2017 14:33:28 GMT -6
I chose my hospital and then picked an OB that delivered there. I picked based on the NICU and the hospital that was the least triggering to my PTSD from my traumatic delivery with my son. I went for the hospital that actually DOESNT have postpartum care in the same room as delivery. I want my nurses focused on one thing instead of being distracted. I want don’t want my H trapped in a room where things went south, God forbid something happens like last time.
And I will shout it from the roof tops about how dangerous and twisted the “baby friendly” designation is. When my hospital said during the tour that they weren’t, I actually said “Than God” out loud. Breastfeeding is not the damn end all be all to parenting. The “ten steps/ commandments” of the baby friendly designation aren’t even all best practices based on research. Some are, some aren’t.
And I will be damned if anyone EVER tries to teach my how to pump while I am being wheeled to the damn ICU. Feed my baby formula and let me focus on NOT DYING, fuckers.
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adeline
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Post by adeline on Nov 5, 2017 0:24:07 GMT -6
Jesus daffodilsandcoffee, can I pry and ask what happened when you delivered your son? Why were you in ICU? |
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Post by daffodilsandcoffee on Nov 5, 2017 5:27:57 GMT -6
Jesus daffodilsandcoffee, can I pry and ask what happened when you delivered your son? Why were you in ICU? Massive postpartum hemorrhage while delivering the placenta. It took forever to get the bleeding under control. I needed blood transfusions and monitoring because my blood pressure was barely readable. It was like 60/40 once they got the bleeding under control. |
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Post by numbears on Nov 6, 2017 5:02:16 GMT -6
A lot of people are mentioning "baby friendly" designations. I guess I'm the downer here, I had negative experiences from that campaign. I was shamed by nurses when struggling with getting my children to latch(several days) and wanted to feed formula in the mean time. I didn't need people telling me I was being a bad mom when I was barely keeping it together on four hours of sleep. I hate the baby "friendly" initiative. I've only worked on a postpartum floor a couple of times, but one thing they really stress to the nurses is that if I parent asks for a pacifier or formula, you have to first try to persuade them that it's the wrong choice for their baby (this goes beyond nipple confusion) and that it's an irreversible decision, etc. Then you have to document what you said and if the parent was compliant. It's guilt-tripping new moms and such bullshit. Plus, I like having a well-baby nursery just in case. daffodilsandcoffee, I'm so sorry that happened to you. |
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Post by numbears on Nov 6, 2017 5:03:13 GMT -6
With this one, I can only deliver at the hospital I work at. With DS, I picked the hospital based off of recommendations from other people, having a NICU, and safety ratings. I really liked that everything happened in the same room so I never had to move after delivery. They also had a good NICU and well-baby nursery and LCs came by often.
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That never should have happened.
