WWYD regarding early July delivery and OB options?

[Liziz]

I've put off this decision for too long because it stresses me out so much....please share your thoughts on what you'd do!

I have military healthcare and for DD, I got my OB care and delivered DD at the military medical center in town. While OB experience left a bit to be desired (inconvenient drive to the office, didn't get to always see same provider, poor staff support/attitudes, hard to get appointments), I was always happy w/ the clinical quality of my care and didn't worry about it too much. The hospital for delivery was great -- we had a great experience, no complaints, very nice facility, etc.

I'd deliver there again, except -- I'm due in early July and the military medical center in town is a BIG teaching hospital. July is the craziest month for teaching hospitals, especially early July. DH is a physician so we've witnessed it firsthand -- I've always said I want nothing to do with hospitals in July. I have every reason to expect a routine delivery without any issues -- but you never know. It affects both changes in the OBs staffing the hospital, as well as the anesthesiologists, pediatricians, and any subspecialist. So, which of these options would you choose?

Option 1: stick with the military medical facility. It's known, you like the hospital, and chances are things will go smoothly so there's no need to worry so much. (AKA: known entity but could be crazy)

Option 2: go to civilian hospital #1 -- I have good recommendations from several friends about OBs that deliver at this hospital, but hospital itself gives me some pause: don't allow rooming in (requires baby to go to nursery for several hours); I've recently heard that nursing staff is to some degree at odds/frustrated with administration, which is sometimes apparent in less friendly attitudes towards patient care. (AKA: good OB choices, not sure about the hospital)

Option 3: go to civilian hospital #2 -- I have zero recommendations for OBs that deliver at this hospital, and haven't loved any of the options I've looked at (not bad, just haven't loved them). However, I know someone who delivered there and LOVED it (her OB isn't an option anymore). Hospital supports rooming in, which is important to me. Hospital gets really good marks for excellent attentive and engaged nurses. (AKA: unknown OBs, but good hospital)

On one hand I feel like I should choose based most on OB, because I'll see that person more than a 1-2 day birth and delivery. But on the other hand, I feel like the birth and delivery is the most important part of the whole thing. I also realize I'm stressing about this much more than I should, and that I just need to go with something and I'll end up with a lovely baby -- but I just can't do that!

[SnuggleBuggles]

The birth experience matters a bunch to me. I've been lucky to have 2 really good experiences. I'd rule out civilian hospital 1 due to lack of rooming in. That policy may be the tip of the iceberg for other policies that might also be less than ideal for you. Have you looked at midwives at all (CNMs) that deliver at hospitals? You can still have pain meds etc with one. They just usually offer a different level of support and participation in birth. Between the other 2 hospitals? I lean non military bc you didn't love the practice but I can see that the unknown is stressing you out. I moved before pregnancy #2 and picked a place out of the blue. Unless I really know the person has my same birth and prenatal philosophy, I don't care much for the recommendations of others. I went that route with ds1 in the beginning and it was totally the wrong fit. Keep researching. Give yourself 1-2 more weeks to find someone for that hospital. If you can't, just stick with the military option and call it a day. Good luck!

[klwa]

Honestly, based on what you're saying, I'd go with the military hospital.

I wouldn't want to go to civilian hospital 1 because of the poor nursing experiences, as well as the rooming in policy. The only other one I'd consider is civilian hospital 2, IF you can get good recommendations for an OB.

The nurses, in my experience, are more important than the doctors during labor. And while I did SEE the doctors regularly during my pregnancies, unless there was a problem, most visits were "Hi. You shouldn't be gaining that much/you need to gain more! Well, see you in a month." The nurses were the ones to stay in the room with me, make sure everything was going okay, and call the doctor when it was time. If the military hospital has good nursing staff, it's a no brainer to me, even if things do get wonky in July. (And, hey, maybe baby will be a little early or a little late & it won't be during the worst of the craziness!)

[AngB]

I've had some really bad military healthcare experiences. And I would hate just seeing random doctors. So I am going with option #3. Maybe find some natural birth minded friends (doulas) for OB recs? Even if you don't actually want a natural birth, they usually recommend fairly good doctors and medical professionals.

[JBaxter]

Remember you can toss anyone out of your room you want. Be vocal.

[Katigre]

I'd go with #3 and then find a midwife/OB who attends there. I chose my birth providers based on the facility where I wanted to give birth.

[jam224]

I would go with option 1. I delivered DD at a military hospital and DH is a doctor too. July is a crazy time, but the new docs won't be alone. I think especially because you delivered there before and had a positive experience, it's your best option.

[Philly Mom]

I agree with number 1 and I agree that the nurses are the most important people in delivery. I understand the concern about July but every baby I know born in July was born at a teaching hospital. My kids were born at a teaching hospital too (first one in early August) and I liked that there were so many people attending to me since my OB only came in at the end.

[abh5e8]

I would go with option 1. I delivered DD at a military hospital and DH is a doctor too. July is a crazy time, but the new docs won't be alone. I think especially because you delivered there before and had a positive experience, it's your best option.

well, true that new interns will be supervised...but remember, residency finishes in June, so all of those brand new attendings (ie. the docs in charge of the interns) are also new.

i'd go with option 3 and start asking around for good OB/midwife recommendations. no rooming in would be a deal breaker for me and I would avoid a teaching hospital at all costs in July.

[jam224]

well, true that new interns will be supervised...but remember, residency finishes in June, so all of those brand new attendings (ie. the docs in charge of the interns) are also new.

Attendings may be new to the hospital, but they're not inexperienced.