We have visited two local hospitals. Which one would you choose?
Hospital 1: large, well-respected hospital (in top 50 hospitals in country). Level 2 trauma NICU. Encourages skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth. Process involves a) triage b) labor, delivery, and recovery (all in one room, and each is private and equipped with a private bath with shower, as well as a large bay for the baby check station). After recovery, new Moms and baby go to 7th floor to "family centered care" where baby rooms in with Mom for an additional 24-48 hrs, depending on C-section or not. C-section rate around 40%. Hospital is 3.57 miles from my house, roads often trafficy and busy. Takes between 15 minutes and 30 minutes to get to hospital. More doctors from my particular practice are on call at this hospital. However, I can't be guaranteed any particular doctor since I am in an HMO. Doctors from other centers also are on call....I think there must be staff of close to 30 rotating OBs. The chance of my seeing an OB I've seen before is like 25%.
Hospital 2: smaller, well-respected hospital. Level 3 trauma NICU, Also encourages skin-to-skin contact after birth. Process involves a) labor, delivery and recovery (triage is largely skipped unless you are not in true labor, or if no beds are available). LDR suites are a bit smaller, but are well equipped with private bath (with shower) and a rooming station for baby. After recovery, Moms and baby room in together on the same floor in the "family centered care" unit for 24-48 hrs. C-section operating rooms are exclusively for C-sections. C-section rate around 40%. Hospital is 7.57 miles from my house. Roads can be trafficky, but there are two back road routes. Takes about 35-45 minutes to get to hospital. Moms I have spoken with spoke highly of this women's center. Fewer doctors from my practice will be on call at hospital 2, since the practitioners largely come from other HMO centers in the area. The chance of my seeing an OB I've seen before is nearly 0%.
Both have lactation consultants. Both have C-section ORs. Both allow 4-5 people to be in the LDR and family centered care unit with the new Mom and baby at any time. Both have convertible chair-beds for the birth partner. Both have WIFI.
So, who's ready to vote? (and justify your vote please)
The smaller hospital...I almost always would pick the smaller one. Birth is not a medical event--though many would like to think it is. The C-Section rate at both those places is high, but with a doula, you should be fine. Birth is a natural, wonderful, amazing event...you will probably appreciate the smaller, more intimate setting. Though, I must say, living up here where I do, I cannot even fathom how it is possible--even a little possible--to be less than 8 miles from the place and have it be a 35-45 minute drive!! Are you nuts? You could practically run it faster than that...even in labor!
ReplyDeleteSo true, so true.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad fact of life that getting anywhere, even those places that are close by, takes 20-30 minutes. No wonder I generally stay pretty close to home.