https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 05:31:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2417616 Mon, 11 Jan 2016 18:20:49 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2417616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted a hospital with a top-level NICU (obviously you hope you never need it but I wanted it there if necessary). And our hospital did not care if you were pregnant for taking a tour. All you had to do was show up at tour time and you were welcome. </p> <p>Besides that, hospital stats for c-sections and such only means so much. My OB's stats were very different (and better) then the overall stats for the hospital. </p> <p>Or for example, a hospital might have higher stats/section rates because they are the go-to place for high-risk pregnancies. But for a not complicated delivery, they may have better stats than the other hospitals. But the stats aren't broken down in a way that would show you that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2417582 Mon, 11 Jan 2016 17:39:09 +0000 Finfan 2417582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've seen expecting moms ask for recommendations in our local parenting Facebook group. You could ask for OB and hospital recommendations based on what kind of birth you would like even if you are TTC. </p> <p>We have 3 hospitals I could have theoretically delivered at but only one with a high level NICU which was important to me personally even though neither of my kids used it. I found my OB practice through word of mouth (pregnant co-worker and we had just moved to town). Now that we are done having kids, I will switch to a smaller practice closer to my house I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2255212 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 09:15:42 +0000 Worrywart 2255212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@smith: Are you delivering at Prentice? The best class to take is "Great Expectations." They give you a tour of the hospital, you learn all about checking in, they show you some birthing videos. It was a great class to take. We had my daughter in July '12 and we took the class in May. Two others that Northwestern offer that are good to take are Infant CPR and Breastfeeding. I agree with many of the above comments that classes should be taken 2-3 months prior to delivery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2255186 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 08:54:55 +0000 krispi 2255186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did them all early in the third trimester, around 30-ish weeks. The next childbirth class wasn't for another 2 months, and I thought that was cutting it too close. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2255185 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 08:49:57 +0000 snowjewelz 2255185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was due early Dec and went mid-Oct. I couldn't have registered too early since they only post the schedule like 2-3 months out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2255180 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 08:48:11 +0000 pinkarmadillo 2255180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We only did a breastfeeding class and I was 29 weeks along. Everyone else in the class was 33+ weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2255113 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 08:15:23 +0000 Greentea 2255113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@smith: Yup! I took all of mine by 20 weeks! I didn't want to wait, thinking I would be busy with extra OB appointments later in pregnancy. I also took Bradley when I was not even 20 weeks- I had to because of the way the schedule worked out with offerings.</p> <p>Before 20 weeks I did Breastfeeding, Caring for Newborn, and Bradley (but that took 3 months). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2255099 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 07:58:49 +0000 Alivoo01 2255099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went during 25+ weeks. Since the classes are kind of long, the OB wanted me to get them done ASAP so that I'm not uncomfortable sitting there for an extended amount of time. But also late enough I didn't forget the material.</p> <p>We attended the birth, breastfeeding, and CPR classes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2255022 Wed, 05 Aug 2015 04:46:06 +0000 buttermilk 2255022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took a 6 week Hypnobabies course starting at 30 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2254976 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 22:24:50 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2254976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't remember how many weeks we were, but I was definitely in my third trimester before we took any classes. We took a breast-feeding class thru the hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2254968 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 22:17:20 +0000 jhd 2254968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went to an infant CPR class and a birth class. We did both when I was in my 3rd tri. The peds office we chose also did a class for new parents hosted by their LC and that was by far the best one we attended. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2254966 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 22:15:36 +0000 BSB 2254966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had our 'expecting multiples' class, when I was 24 weeks. Funny is everyone in my class (2 other couples) had due dates all within 5 days of each other. I guess we all knew that if we waited for the next class (a month later) that it might be cutting it too close. We had notes (print outs) from our class to refresh our memory. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2254965 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 22:14:24 +0000 travellingbee 2254965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started them at around 30ish weeks. 20 weeks seems early... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2254959 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 21:52:18 +0000 raspberries 2254959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took them from about 25-28 weeks, but we were definitely the farthest away from our site dates... it seems like most people wait until at least 32 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2254906 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 20:41:45 +0000 babycanuck 2254906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I signed up around 18-20 weeks but my hospital restricts when you can take them (32-38 weeks only), so we are doing a baby care class at 35 weeks and a hospital tour following it. Not taking a L&amp;D class. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-sign-up-for-hospital-classes#post-2254876 Tue, 04 Aug 2015 20:05:21 +0000 smith 2254876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 17ish weeks, and my doctor just told me to start checkin' out my hospital's baby classes (a "What to Expect"-type class, one about breastfeeding, an infant CPR class, and a general baby care course). Each has a fee, but DH and I know nothing about any of those things, so we're planning to check a few out.</p> <p>Did you take classes? And if so, when? I read somewhere that 20ish weeks would be an OK time, but then did you forget all that stuff when it came time to, you know, actually have a kid? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2053782 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 11:38:33 +0000 avivoca 2053782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose my practice and hospital based on the type of delivery I wanted. I wanted a non-medicated birth and also wanted to be with a practice that offered CNM. The hospital I delivered at did not have a top-level NICU, but the children's hospital for my area was about three miles away and in the city I lived in (I delivered at a small community hospital just across the river). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2053752 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 11:19:48 +0000 nanilani 2053752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anya: That's generally the route I'm trying to take. Did you rely completely on personal references to get a feel for the three different hospitals? None of my friends who have delivered in this area have had much to say about their experiences, positive or negative. I also don't know if it's fair to compare say someone's planned c-section against what a typical vaginal delivery might be like. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2053747 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 11:14:51 +0000 nanilani 2053747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@espion: I have great insurance so all the hospitals are in-network for me. It almost makes me wish I had fewer options to guide me into a more obvious decision! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2053743 Wed, 04 Feb 2015 11:13:34 +0000 nanilani 2053743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@megangeriemama @cole: I haven't contacted all of the hospitals yet, but I know at least one of them only gives L&amp;D tours after you're pregnant and preferably far along. Instead I'm referred to a virtual tour on their website (aka a video that looks like it was taken on an iphone). It doesn't give me a good view of what it's like one way or the other and it's not at all professional looking, which doesn't jive with their overall reviews elsewhere. I always assumed I would go there because of its location, but with so many hospitals in my area I'm starting to second guess such a glib decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2053205 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 22:13:01 +0000 Espion 2053205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found both my OBs via word of mouth. As another thing to consider, make sure the physician and hospital is within your insurance network. There are two main hospital systems in my city, and only one of them is "preferred" with my insurance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2053162 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 21:25:36 +0000 Cole 2053162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you called to see of you can do a tour at the hospitals? All three we considered didn't care at all if I was pregnant or not. Two of them had you call L&amp;D directly to set up a time and you talked to one of the nurses to do that, you might be able to ask them who they recommend, they would certainly have the inside scoop! The practice I wound up using had a meet the midwives night which was really helpful, it might be worth calling a few practices to see if they offer something similar. </p> <p>When I was trying to decide I went at it from both sides, I checked out a few hospitals and set up visits with a few practices all at once. I ended up going with a practice that is fifty minutes from home and a hospital that is thirty five minutes away, the ones closer weren't the right fit and I am glad I expanded my search<br /> Good luck in your search! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2053012 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:50:36 +0000 Anya 2053012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I picked the hospital first too when I was unhappy with my previous practice and looking to switch. There were 3 I originally considered near me, one I eliminated because their maternity ward just didn't seem as up to par and I only knew of one person who ever delivered there, and of the other two one came up more often when I was looking for recommendations and it has the added distinction of being a "baby friendly" hospital because they specifically encourage breastfeeding, skin to skin etc. Most of the endorsements actually came from my husband's coworkers or their spouses when he started asking around. From there I looked into practices that delivered at my preferred hospital and landed on one with a full staff of midwives and OBs (as opposed to most practices that had all OBs and maybe one midwife). I love it this way because I can see the midwives for my currently low-risk pregnancy, but when I had a complication that required surgery I was cared for by the OBs within the same practice. While you may not be looking for midwives specifically, my recommendation is to try to find a practice that is staffed to handle both low and high risks so that whatever happens you are covered. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2053005 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:45:47 +0000 AprilK 2053005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would ask about the policies regarding when a baby has a nicu stay and what their Nicu rates are. The hospital where I had my first, I think they were way too liberal will their use of the nicu (unnecessarily so). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2052974 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:19:47 +0000 blackbird 2052974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The hospitals here list their affiliated physicians. So that could help you narrow down the list </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2052968 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:16:57 +0000 nanilani 2052968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@belugabean @ms.badger: Thanks, I'll have to take a deeper look at city-data and U.S. News. Most of the hospital reviews I've seen so far aren't based on L&amp;D experience, and I wasn't sure exactly what else to look for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2052962 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:11:25 +0000 MenagerieMama 2052962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would ask about NICU level available and take an L&amp;D tour to get a feel for the place! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2052958 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:08:44 +0000 PurplePeony 2052958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I picked my care provider (a hospital-based midwife group) and delivered at the hospital they work out of. Honestly, the hospital's overall stats and policies didn't really factor into my decision because the MW group's stats are very different than the overall hospital stats. But I ended up being very happy with the facility. The hospital has "all-in-one" maternity rooms so you labor, deliver, and recover in the same room (unless you need a C-section, there are ORs at each end of the childbirth center). And most of the rooms have jacuzzi tubs, though there are a couple rooms that have shared tubs (not shared at the same time, obviously!). So I really felt like I got lucky with that, but I would have gone to a different hospital if that's where my MWs were. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2052957 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:07:09 +0000 nanilani 2052957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lulu mom: I'm planning on talking to different practices as well, but I don't want to completely disregard the hospital experience when making my OB/GYN decision. I can't interview hospitals the same way I can doctors. I'm not trying to pick a hospital first so much as do research relevant to my ultimate decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-from-scratch-advice-on-choosing-a-hospital-amp-obgyn#post-2052863 Tue, 03 Feb 2015 17:09:21 +0000 Foodnerd81 2052863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I switched practices while ttc- I was due for my annual so I figured may as well switch (my gyn didn't do OB anyway). I knew I wanted to go with a midwife practice in a hospital anyway so I found just that. If not for knowing I wanted a med free, midwife birth, I probably would have just gone with whatever one I heard most about. </p> <p>I have convinced at least two friends to deliver at my hospital though- it was great, not just fine. </p>