https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 26 May 2026 10:02:10 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2669829 Fri, 23 Dec 2016 12:31:04 +0000 shd1234 2669829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsog: I'm new to this and don't know how to PM - can you tell me who your OB was? Looking for someone affiliated with Lenox Hill. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2635799 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 16:02:09 +0000 pineapple 2635799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB delivers only at Hackensack, which I heard good/bad things. Mostly good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2635443 Tue, 11 Oct 2016 23:35:27 +0000 ElbieKay 2635443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Netny: Unfortunately, my OB retired / closed her practice to take a teaching position. I was devastated when I found out. I will have to find another OB if I get pregnant again.</p> <p>I delivered my son at Morristown. I live in Hoboken, so it was a bit of a drive, but I had an excellent experience there. I don't know how much of that was due to my OB versus the hospital, but the nurses were awesome and respected my birth plan. (I had assumed that they would ignore it, haha!) One of my biggest fears was that I would wind up as a c-section statistic, and ultimately my labor got pretty stalled out once I was at 9.5 cm. I still got the support I needed to deliver my son vaginally, and we had two hours of skin-to-skin time together in the delivery room before we were moved to our room for the rest of our stay.</p> <p>Everyone was really nice and supportive and professional and I was very grateful to receive such excellent care. Plus, we automatically had a private room, and my husband stayed with us the entire time.</p> <p>Other hospitals I would consider are Overlook, Englewood or Valley, and I have heard good things about midwife care at Holy Name and at Mountainside. I have been to Overlook for other medical care, and they also did an excellent job.</p> <p>When evaluating c-section rates, you need to assess your doctor's practice rather than the hospital's. That being said, St. Barnabas has a sky high c-section rate, and I personally know someone who had a poor outcome there (baby is fine but severe and potentially life altering issues for mom). I would never consider delivering there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2635227 Tue, 11 Oct 2016 13:50:25 +0000 Tidybee 2635227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Netny: I'm a little further out...I know people out here like St. Barnabas and Morristown a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2635212 Tue, 11 Oct 2016 13:30:18 +0000 Iced Tea 2635212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Regarding the terrible nurse: I also had one terrible nurse during labor. I only learned afterwards that you can call the Charge Nurse to tell her you want to switch nurses. Apparently this is a patient right everywhere, but I had no idea. Will definitely use it next time if needed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2635198 Tue, 11 Oct 2016 12:45:21 +0000 SeptMomma12 2635198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Netny: Maybe a little far for you, but Valley in Ridgewood is wonderful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2635167 Tue, 11 Oct 2016 11:56:19 +0000 Littlebit7 2635167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Netny: I delivered at Englewood. I was thinking about delivering at SLR/NYU/Lenox hill in the city (or actually Sinai which is where my old OB was) but just couldn't bring myself to get over the fact I'd have to drive or take public transit if I was in active labor. Traffic? Transit delays? Just totally freaked me out. Englewood was fantastic. Huge private rooms, great nurses, good food; I was induced and had a great experience overall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2635069 Tue, 11 Oct 2016 09:24:54 +0000 Netny 2635069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Tidybee: thanks for the info! I also work in the city, but prefer the relaxed feeling of getting a private room in NJ. Have you heard of any good DR's and hospitals in NJ? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2635066 Tue, 11 Oct 2016 09:18:32 +0000 Tidybee 2635066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: i have friends that delivered at Overlook and were really happy. i had a D&amp;C at Overlook and it was smooth and everyone was so nice.<br /> I delivered at NYU and Morristown. Very different hospitals to say the least but great care at both. And I was at NYU during Sandy and had to be evacuated! They couldn't have handled it better. @Netny: I used to live in Hoboken. For me, since I worked in the city, it was easier for me to go to the doctor there and she delivered at NYU. I went into labor at 3am but there was still traffic due to construction in the Lincoln Tunnel. Since it was my first, I knew I'd have plenty of time to get into the city and to the hospital. But plan B was just to go to the ER at Hoboken hospital down the street.<br /> I think the main difference between city hospitals and suburbs of NJ is space. Most of the rooms in the NJ hospitals are private whereas in the city, they're shared and you have to pay approx $500 a night for a private room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2635059 Tue, 11 Oct 2016 09:08:37 +0000 Netny 2635059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: hi there! I leave near Hoboken and debating on dr/hospital in NJ or NY. Would love your dr. Recommendation and any advice you can share. Thanks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2613532 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 15:16:04 +0000 ak2000 2613532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi @ELBIEKAY - thanks so much - will look her up</p> <p>Hi @WYATTNEWBABYSMAMA - thanks for the response... I'll look her up </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2613252 Tue, 30 Aug 2016 10:05:59 +0000 WyattnewbabysMama 2613252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I delivered at SLR. Labored, pushed, then emergency c section, and 2 week NICU stay for my son. Obviously not ideal. BUT, I loooooved my OB (and even though another OB in my practice ended up doing the c section--since she happened to be on call then) and I've been happy with the other doctors in my practice too. And we had a very good experience with the nurses in L&amp;D at SLR. And the NICU was amazing (I mean obviously, being there and needing it was not amazing, but since we had to be there, I was very pleased with the care my son got). </p> <p>We moved to Queens halfway through my pregnancy with my son and I was thinking of switching practices to find somewhere more convenient but after that experience, we are planning to deliver my daughter this February at SLR again.</p> <p>edited to add: My Doctor is Nicolle Underwood and I literally cannot say enough good things about her. Her practice is Westcare OBGYN on the UWS. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2612949 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 17:45:08 +0000 ElbieKay 2612949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ak2000: Unfortunately, my OB retired / closed her practice to take a teaching position. I was devastated when I found out. I will have to find another OB if I get pregnant again.</p> <p>I think my next choice will be to try Drs. Winsome Parchment and Nyota Peace in Maplewood. They deliver at Overlook. I will probably do some more research though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2612857 Mon, 29 Aug 2016 15:30:30 +0000 ak2000 2612857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ELBIEKAY - hi - can you share the name of your OB - do they do high risk? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2248430 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 21:22:15 +0000 ElbieKay 2248430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I wouldn't worry about that! It's all so provider-specific (which is why her story was so ridiculous!). If you have a doctor you know and trust, you will be fine. In this story, the couple walked into the hospital and got whichever random OB was on call. They had no prior relationship.</p> <p>@everbee: I used to feel that way about Dr. Rhee (that she was just direct/blunt). She had been my gyn for over a decade before I got pregnant. Before that conversation, I was already having doubts about SLR, though. The scare tactic was the final nail in the coffin.</p> <p>I do think that she would provide a high quality of medical care. But I was already so anxious about labor/delivery that I needed an OB who made me feel a bit more emotionally secure and also not feel bullied into making a particular decision during labor.</p> <p>I'm glad you had such a positive experience with her, and I'm very very sorry to read about your loss.</p> <p>I will say that she was pretty nice and sympathetic about my miscarriage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2248134 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 14:37:07 +0000 Anagram 2248134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SeptMomma12: All my coworkers delivered at Valley and loved it. I actually went there for a tour, but in the end decided it was too far. They have doulas and midwives on staff though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2247993 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:29:33 +0000 SeptMomma12 2247993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@leighleigh: I delivered both my kids at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood and had amazing experiences. Not NYC, but I saw you said you're moving to NJ. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2247940 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:33:14 +0000 Anagram 2247940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: oh lord. I shouldn't have opened this thread, lol. This time, I'm delivering at Hoboken hospital. I've heard great things about Morristown! Have two friends who delivered there. But I have no desire to drive far, and with a toddler at home, my husband wants to be able to go back and forth to check on her while I'm in the hospital.</p> <p>I like my OB though, and no double episiotomy the first time! I had 1 TERRIBLE nurse the first time at Palisades, so now I'm not too scared of the terrible nurses. I mean (knock on wood), I figure it can't be worse than her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2247936 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:26:45 +0000 leighleigh 2247936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@raintreebee: Its funny you say that because I'm leaning towards Columbia. It might end up working out because I currently live in West Harlem, and close to when the baby is born we're planning on moving to NJ, but just right across the Hudson so I figure it's easy to get to via GWB. I don't have a doctor yet--which is why I'm trying to figure out where I want to deliver so I can choose an OB based on her hospital ties.</p> <p>Thanks for all the input ladies! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2247791 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:54:49 +0000 raintreebee 2247791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a very positive experience with Mt. Sinai. My friends love Presbyterian/Cornell. I would go with a doctor you love (with the exception of some hospitals with poor reputations). Columbia has the best NICU in the city, but it is very far uptown if that matters to you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2247780 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 09:39:17 +0000 everbee 2247780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shortcake @elbiekay this is funny. i go to the same practice as well with dr rhee. i had some of those same thoughts with dr rhee initially and was also a little turned off. i've just learned she's very blunt and outspoken. she's basically like an older asian mom or auntie who is very forthright and speaks her thoughts because she's not a hand holder and believes you need to know what she knows. anyway, it's a different culture background if you're not asian and not accustomed to that kind of forthrightness, it's definitely offputting. but i had a complicated pregnancy and delivery and i was taken care of so well by her. she pulled a thousand strings for us in the hospital so that we could have a room to ourselves in the birthing center which had plenty of empty rooms (without paying for a private room that we couldn't afford) because it was already diagnosed that our baby would not survive long after birth, if even to survive delivery, and she wanted to give us the private time we needed with our baby before he passed. SLR/mt sinai was insane the day i went to deliver and there were no beds and even no room in triage. they finally had to admit me in the surgical recovery room and give me the epidural there because there was no where else to go. so i hung out there for hours before i could get moved to l&amp;d. but the whole time i felt like nurses came immediately if i called (which i didn't that often) and i felt very well taken care of. i was in labor for so long that i saw dr shulina and dr bradley while i was there and they were both great. and dr rhee came for the delivery even though it wasn't her shift (she told me she would). so overall, i would recommend her with a grain of salt (though she is a fantastic doctor), and definitely recommend the practice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2247674 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 08:17:41 +0000 ElbieKay 2247674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shortcake: It's funny how people's experiences are so varied. Anna Rhee was a major factor in my decision to switch hospitals. I told her about my reservations about SLR and she got really nasty. "You want to deliver in NJ? Let me tell you about my patient that was worried about rush hour traffic and didn't want to drive into the city during labor. Her husband didn't listen to me and took her to Hoboken Hospital instead, and she wound up with a double episiotomy!" That was the last time that I saw her.</p> <p>I'm glad you had a good experience with their practice though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2247629 Tue, 28 Jul 2015 07:04:23 +0000 magnolia 2247629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved NYU Langone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2247521 Mon, 27 Jul 2015 21:49:18 +0000 shortcake 2247521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had two babies at SLR (now part of Mt Sinai) and had two good experiences. The only bad part is having to pay close to $900/night for a private room and that doesn't guarantee you one. If you give birth later in the day you are most likely out of luck.</p> <p>I have no experience with the birthing center since I had to get a c-section due to breech for my first and was induced for my second. But I believe you have to go with with the intention of not having an epidural. If you are in labor and change your mind, they will move you to the regular L&amp;D floor. If you are trying to find a practice, I adore my OB, Katrina Bradley. She is with Dr. Rheee, Dr. Ralston and Dr. Shalina - all women and they have a midwife in their practice too. All are great doctors.</p> <p>Let me know if you have any specific questions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2247255 Mon, 27 Jul 2015 16:21:57 +0000 Beehive 2247255@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bunnylove08: That's so funny, it's so true that every woman in NYC was giving birth that week or the week before. I gave birth at Mt Sinai, and it was insane when I came in - I had my epidural put in on a triage bed! </p> <p>I was generally happy at Sinai. My birth was very fast, but the L&amp;D nurse was great (basically just there for pushing, though, with the doctor, by the time I got my L&amp;D room). The nurses in the hospital rooms were fine. I had a shared room which was squishy, but it wasn't a huge problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2247180 Mon, 27 Jul 2015 14:50:49 +0000 ElbieKay 2247180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@leighleigh: I went all the way to Morristown because I found an OB I liked and that is where she delivers. I had a great experience and it was worth the drive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2247173 Mon, 27 Jul 2015 14:42:20 +0000 leighleigh 2247173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: what hospital in NJ?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2241611 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 09:29:32 +0000 nana87 2241611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: oh that's terrible that you didn't get to see lo as much! my main complaints with the nurses were a lot more minor, like they didn't show me how to configure the ice pack/sanitary pad "diaper" properly at first, and it took hours for them to take the hep lock out of my hand </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2241604 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 09:20:32 +0000 bunnylove08 2241604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I gave birth at Lenox Hill and I did not like my experience. Mind you this was a week before Sandy and every woman in NYC was giving birth at the same time. I loved my night nurses but my day care was not great, I ended up having an mystery fever and stayed at the hospital for a week. The rooms are not updated so I had an air conditioner blasting right on me the whole time when I was not feeling well. It took them two days to move me to another room. </p> <p>I had friends who gave birth there and they loved their experience. I hope my experience was a fluke. </p> <p>My cousin gave birth at Cornel NYPres and she loved her experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nyc-mamas-where-to-give-birth#post-2241598 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 09:16:36 +0000 SweetiePie 2241598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: I don't have advice for the OP (sorry!), but I had the same issue with NYU re: the nurses. They were nice enough (except one who I had the pleasure of 2 shifts with), but it sometimes took an hour for them to come when I called. I had a difficult (not over-the-top) birth that ended in emergency c-section and my son was in the NICU so the only way I could see him was if someone wheeled me up there and back. It was such an ordeal that I only saw him twice for about a half hour each time in the first 3 days he was born.<br /> Granted, they said it was the busiest week for L&amp;D they'd seen all year and they did seem spread thin, but it makes me nervous to go there again! So I usually don't recommend NYU, though I've heard great things from others. </p>