https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 13:33:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in/page/2#post-1049851 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 14:04:06 +0000 allison 1049851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My hospital was an hour away! It was kind of a PITA, yes. But I toured that one and the one that was closest to me (still 20 minutes away), and I like the further away one MUCH better. </p> <p>I think it's fine to wait until 12 weeks to switch. You can switch at any time! But since you're already thinking about it, I'd research your options (both doctor and hospital), so when you're ready to weigh your options, take tours, interview providers, etc you've already got all the info you need to do so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1049758 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:33:30 +0000 Mae 1049758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LovelyPlum: I feel weird because I just have no clue which hospital(s) in my area are "the best." There are just a ton of them (7 I think, within city limits not counting the 'burbs) and honestly I've never heard bad things about any of them! I guess once I announce maybe I'll ask people I know who have given birth here for their experiences with various places. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1049732 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:27:47 +0000 LovelyPlum 1049732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I picked my doctor first, and the hospital choice was made after that. I actually briefly thought about switching doctors, but I am confident that I made the right choice by staying with the practice! I've heard good things about the hospital, and I've had great care in the ER, so I'm hopeful. It's super close to our house, but we're in the middle of the medical campuses, so distance was not a factor in our decision.</p> <p>Good luck with the choice! FWIW, if I were still living in my hometown, I would have been going to a hospital 40 minutes away, because it's the best! Then I would have for sure picked my OB (because I didn't have an OB/GYN there) based on whether he/she delivered at that hospital as well as other factors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1049719 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:24:27 +0000 chopsuey 1049719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I chose my OB. He only delivers at one hospital! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1049697 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:19:19 +0000 swurlygurl 1049697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Luckily for me, I have a GREAT birthing hospital right by my house (less than 10 minute drive), so I didn't really have to do any choosing.<br /> I did miss the new birthing suites by 2 months though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1049693 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:18:02 +0000 cascademom 1049693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose the hospital to deliver when I signed onto my OB/GYN's practice. I knew that she was associated with the city's baby hospital. About half way through my pregnancy, they had us register at the hospital and do classes. It's also a teaching hospital, but I only had labor and delivery nurses throughout my labor and delivery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1049684 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:15:31 +0000 Mae 1049684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@luckypenny: makes sense! I can see how that would be annoying. I don't think its enough to sway me though if I decide I like the hospital otherwise. Thanks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1049673 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:11:59 +0000 luckypenny 1049673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Well the teaching hospital means that several residents may be present during labor and delivery and I didn't want a lot of people in the room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1049672 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 13:11:51 +0000 HabesBabe 1049672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We knew we were going to deliver to the hospital closest to our home (luckily, it's a great Baby-Friendly certified hospital, and one of my friends worked there and was my delivery nurse!). </p> <p>@Mae: some moms don't like teaching hospitals because interns usually come in with the dr and are all there, watching you get checked... or trying to start your IV and failing time and time again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1049562 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 12:34:21 +0000 Mae 1049562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@luckypenny: why didn't you want to deliver at the teaching hospital? The place my ob delivers is the teaching hospital (she's a prof). I guess that seemed like a plus to me because they'd be more up on the new methods and technologies and not stuck in old ways. But I don't really know, that was just my thought. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1049554 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 12:30:47 +0000 luckypenny 1049554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just chose the hospital my OB regularly delivers at. It turns out its one of the best "mom friendly" hospitals in the area. I really didn't have a preference, except that I knew I didn't want to deliver at the teaching hospital here. </p> <p>It is about 20 minutes away (45 mins with traffic also) but we knew that if I did need to go during rush hour, we would just drive on the shoulder/get escort. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1049470 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 11:54:55 +0000 looch 1049470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have a choice, I basically had to deliver in a hospital in my state-equivalent for my insurance to cover it. My OB GYN wasn't affiliated with it, but it wasn't a problem.</p> <p>I'd look to see which most closely aligns with your preferences, what the NICU situation is, etc. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1049390 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 11:29:20 +0000 catomd00 1049390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have an OB when I found out I was pregnant. But, I knew I wanted to deliver at 1 of 2 hospitals near me. I did some research on OBs and they only deliver at 1 of the 2 hospitals, so it basically made my decision for me. I was leaning toward that hospital anyways, so win win.</p> <p>You have plenty of time to research and switch if you want to. Seeing one doctor for the first trimester and someone else later on wouldn't be a big deal, assuming you weren't high risk and everything was going smoothly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1047101 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 15:19:28 +0000 Ginabean3 1047101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I delivered at the hospital my dr. was affiliated with. It's an older hospital and at first DH was unsure about it...but, I really loved my dr. and that was more important to me. And, when it came own to it, I got excellent care (as did LO!). All the nurses thre were fabulous. Oh, both my dr and hospital are 5 min away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1047069 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 15:12:15 +0000 deactivated_account 1047069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I already switched my insurance to ensure I can deliver at a specific hospital even though I'm not even pregnant. The hospital is close to my work, but at least 40 minutes away from my home with no traffic. I picked a new doctor earlier this year based upon affilitation with the specific hospital that I like. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1046894 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 13:49:48 +0000 avivoca 1046894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am choosing to deliver at a hospital that is further away from my house but has a reputation for being mother/baby friendly and the practice I go to is low-intervention. There are two hospitals closer to my house, but they are kind of like baby factories. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1046843 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 13:32:14 +0000 Smurfette 1046843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had no choice. My doctor only delivers at one hospital. The "baby factory" hospital is actually closer to our house, but I the one I delivered at was still only 20 mins away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1046837 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 13:30:08 +0000 GrapeCrush 1046837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to the hospital that my doctor is affiliated with </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1046760 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 13:09:45 +0000 lovehoneybee 1046760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose to deliver at the hospital I did because it has a great NICU and my SIL delivered there, and raved about the satellite clinic in our town. When I first got pregnant I lived 5 minutes from the clinic, but we moved about 40 minutes away when I was 6 months pregnant. We ended up about 20 minutes from the hospital, though. </p> <p>I still went to all of my appointments with my midwife at the satellite clinic. It was a pain to drive so far for just a quick checkup but we loved her, so it was worth it. </p> <p>(My midwife does not have delivery privileges at the hospital, so unless I had a scheduled induction I would not know the OB who delivered, and I didn't, but he was awesome.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1046731 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 13:04:18 +0000 heffalump 1046731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I've always just known.... it's the best hospital near us. And I like my OB and she delivers there. There are closer hospitals, but this one isn't so far that it makes too much of a difference. Plus DH and I were both born there so that makes it special :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1046004 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 10:16:02 +0000 kiddosc 1046004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My doctor was located close to where I worked, which was much for convenient for appointments, because I could go on my lunch break. The problem... I work an hour from home. We drove an hour while I was in labor to get to the hospital, and while it wasn't the most fun ride, it was certainly doable. I would make the same choice again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1045980 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 10:07:59 +0000 Pirouette 1045980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am within walking distance of a great hospital, but decided to go with one a bit further away based on researching the hospitals and getting advice on doctors. while i'm not looking forward to the longer trip to the hospital, it pales in comparison to loving my OB and being very happy with the hospital. but ask me again if there's a blizzard in december when i go into labor ;) </p> <p>As for timing, i would keep your appointments for now, since it is often hard to get into a new OB. If you are intent on switching, start looking and calling around for an appointment, and once you've made an appointment you can cancel any remaining appts with your current OB. CONGRATS on your pregnancy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1045958 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 09:59:36 +0000 MamaMoose 1045958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would suggest staying with your doctor. Most of the time with first babies labor lasts quite a while. So it's unlikely that you'll be in a situation where it's rush hour and you need to go to the hospital RIGHT now. So in all likelihood you'll be able to do the drive in twenty minutes and that's really not that bad of a drive. My hospital was 15 minutes away and I thought that was quite convenient really. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1045926 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 09:44:27 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1045926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I picked my hospital, then picked an OB that delivered there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1045920 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 09:41:14 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1045920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: no. Where I live, there are three hospital to deliver at and they're all close to one another. It would have been a 45 minute drive no matter what. I liked my OB and this hospital best and switching has never crosse my mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1045918 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 09:40:25 +0000 lemondrop 1045918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose at 29 weeks, luckily my doctor delivered at both hospitals nearby. One was 10 minutes away, one was 20 minutes away. I chose the one with a higher rated NICU, and would have picked that one even if it were farther away. Good thing too, because we ended up using it, my little guy would have had to be transferred to the other hospital if we went with the smaller hospital. My pediatrician also only did rounds at the hospital we chose- so that's another thing to consider. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1045917 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 09:39:58 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 1045917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mae: My doctor only delivered at one hospital, since it was literally across the street from his office. The hospital is 10 min from my office, but it's about 40 min away from my house. That being said, I love my doctor and I'm so glad I stayed with him rather than picking a different doctor just so I could be closer to home. My husband went home each day and night to let the dogs out (and our families helped as well). And it was only for a couple of days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1045908 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 09:37:01 +0000 ShootingStar 1045908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Once I got pregnant I decided to do a hospital tour. My current doctor was only a GYN, so I knew I'd have to go somewhere else no matter what. I had already been to a hospital very close by, but decided to tour one a half hour away. After visiting the one a half hour away and doing some research on the OB/midwife practice that I was interested in that was affiliated there, I decided to go with the further one.</p> <p>I think I made an appointment around 6 weeks with the new practice? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1045901 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 09:34:22 +0000 edelweiss 1045901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>first, congratulations!! that is a tough decision. i ended up switching OBs around 20-something weeks because i moved. you can switch whenever you want--things happen. i'm sure you and the doctor would prefer to have as long of a relationship as possible before delivery, but i think switching around the 12-week mark is plenty of time (in case you do decide to change). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-choose-a-hospital-to-deliver-in#post-1045893 Tue, 27 Aug 2013 09:32:19 +0000 Mae 1045893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: did you ever consider switching docs for a closer hospital? 45 min seems so far! </p>