Monday, March 30, 2009
i need help from all you mothers out there
so over the last few weeks dave and i went and did a tour at both of the hospitals that we could possibly deliver at (st. joe's and rose for those in the denver area). i was sure that we would visit a hospital and just know that it is where we wanted to deliver (apparently i was expecting to just love one of them way more than the other). but it didn't happen and now i don't know which one to choose. after all, i have never had a baby before...i don't know what is most important. so that is where all you experienced mothers come in. tell me what was most important to you in the hospital you delivered at, likes, dislikes etc. we have heard great things from people about both hospitals, so i am sure we would be happy and have a great experience at either one. but for some reason i am stressing about making this decision and am hoping someone might say something that helps me finally decide! dave is strongly encouraging me to make up my mind (plus we need to decide sooner rather than later so we can sign up for a baby class at the right hospital). share away!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
Two things I loved about where I delivered Warren (besides great nurses and competent doctors!): I had a tub in my room and the food was good. And after not being able to eat for hours and hours while you're in labor, good food is a must. And a soak in the tub feels so good afterward. Both not vital things, but maybe that might be the subtle difference you're looking for.
I loved being in a hospital that wasn't super busy. Hardly anyone was there when I had Tanner and so I had lots of attention from the nurses. I also enjoyed having a bigger recovery room because it had 2 beds and a couple rocking chairs so Eli was able to stay the night and visitors didn't have to be squished in the room. It probably wouldn't matter if you were only there for a day with a normal delivery, but I was there for 3 1/2 days and it was nice to have the extra room. I second the good food thing. Good luck!!!
Steph, I don't really have advice for you, but wanted to comment anyway. I think size of the rooms would be my biggest factor. Even if you are there a short time, it can feel like forever since all you do is lay in the hospital bed. I think one of the things that makes the biggest difference if your nurses and that is going to be luck of the draw no matter where you go. I hope you can make a decision soon and just cross that off your list :) (and I know you have made a list of baby "to dos.")
I second the food comment. I was starving after the delivery of each of my babies. I had a different experience with each one so my needs were different with each delivery. I think a hosptal that is less busy is nice because you get one on one attention. The bigger room size is nice. Also, I like having my child sleep in the nursery at night so I can get some sleep so make sure you can put your child in the nursery if you want to. I had one hospital where the baby had to be with me unless they were with the pedi.
Well, the nurses you get will not be luck of the draw if you deliver at St. Joe's because I will make sure you get the best nurses. The food is great and you get as much as you want. Even after I ate breakfast, if I wanted something more, I could always get it. Also, they do have tubs in the labor rooms which are beautiful. Health One has had some complaints from their employees because they are a for profit hospital, so they are all about the money and sometimes that causes some disgruntled employees. St. Joe's is non for profit. Rose is just as busy as St. Joe's is so that does not really play in.
Oh also, Dr. Offerdahl delivered her last child at St. Joe's so where your doctor delivers her own child says something.
I had a good time at St. Jo's. Truthfully I just dislike being in the hospital and having nurses come in your room all hours of the night when you are sleep deprived anyway... but you'll get that any where you go. I thought the food was great and I always ordered tons and let Dan eat off my plate too! The delivery room was beautiful, although my recovery room left somethings to be desired. I would say, for me the most important factor was which hospital was closest for my doctor since I have my babies so fast I wanted to make sure they could be there! But that's not a big deal for most people. Good luck!
Ask around to see if the nurses are nice. My cousin Natalie had a really mean one and I was so scared I'd get one too. I didn't, luckily. Mine have both been great. I liked the menu option for not having to order their main course for each day. It was always really heavy stuff and they had the option for just ordering sandwiches and fruit and chips and stuff. I really was glad for that. Make sure they have a NICU just in case versues the baby having to be flown to the other if there are problems. If Dave's planning to stay the whole time with you, a big enough room with cot or roll away bed would be great. Poor Danny slept in the rocker and it was not so good. Some mom's don't like to be separated from their babies, but I'm all about having them taken to the nursery till feeding times. It's bad enough trying to get rest with all the other interuptions besides having a crying baby in your room. Some hospitals don't have a nursery and I'd recommend going to one where they'll let you send him there between night feedings.
Two words: Proximity and pudding-imity. I clocked every possible route to my hospital to find the shortest distance just in case my car broke down and my cell phone broke and we had to walk the rest of the way. Then, after I delivered, my hospital served the BEST pudding I have ever tasted in my life. I can't find the brand anywhere but I can tell you it will be a highlight for this Thursday when baby Q comes to earth. My mouth is watering already. Good luck deciding!
Post a Comment