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I did! At the time, I thought I had an okay experience (having nothing to compare it to). But when I think back on it, I shudder. I should say that I'm a total people-pleaser and I hate hate hate the idea of being a "difficult" patient, so I probably didn't advocate for myself quite enough.

Labor and delivery were fine. I basically wanted an epidural and got one in a timely manner. Nurses were super competent but pretty grumpy and the birth was uneventful. I was asked if some students could watch and I was like, sure, whatever. I mean, I just wanted the baby out and I was past the point of caring.

My daughter was born at like, 3am and my room was ready at 6am. It was extremely (extremely) tiny and shared and I was the second person in so I did not get the window. I basically spent the two days with the curtain covering my tiny hospital bed to have any privacy whatsoever. My part of the space basically fit the hospital bed and a chair next to the bed with a little bit of space for the bassinet. My roommate was literally right next to me on the other side of the curtain.

Since I got in so early, roommate and her husband were awake, talking loudly, arguing, watching TV, etc., as if I didn't exist. Which like, I get it that I can't expect them to be quiet, but it was excruciating when I was so exhausted. I just didn't really sleep. Babies room with you there. Mine was pretty quiet, but theirs screamed pretty much the whole time. So again, no rest. They had tons of visitors, fought frequently and had a visit from the social workers to make sure they were in a good place emotionally to leave the hospital with a newborn. Yeah. I can't emphasize how much the shared room blows.

I did meet with the lactation consultant (along with about 20 other new moms) one time, but that was it. No one on one visit, which I think really hurt my chances at nursing successfully.

I think it's a great hospital and obviously one of the best if you have a high-risk pregnancy. If your labor and delivery is more run of the mill, you definitely feel like it's an "every man for himself" experience.

I'm in the suburbs now (Stamford) and have had a few friends deliver babies at the local hospital. Hearing their birth stories and visiting the hospital, I am thrilled to be having my second there. It just seems so much more sane.

I'm sorry to be so negative! Like I said, at the time I was like, well, this is normal, I guess? And obviously everything in New York is just a little more challenging. I guess my advice is just to be a little more demanding so you don't get lost in the shuffle.

Three years ago. I have wondered whether I just happened to give birth at a high volume time and because of that didn't get the standard experience. Unfortunately, I'm the only one in my circle of city friends who has a child, so I haven't been able to compare. I will say that one acquaintance had her baby there like, 3 months ahead of me and she liked it enough to deliver there again with her second (due next month). I do think it's key that she had a private room.

I didn't deliver at NYU (I was at Mt Sinai), but just want to say that the shared rooms EVERYWHERE in NYC maternity wards are awful. It is totally worth it to pay up for a private room if you can afford it and one is available!!

@hilsy85: I 100% agree! i have no experience with NYU (Sinai here too) but paying for a private room was the best $$ i've ever spent.

Just to weight the private room argument the other way, I gave birth at Sinai, didn't bother with a private room. Was alone in my shared room which was huuuuge with a view of Central Park. I actually got lonely in there:)

Back to NYU though, my best friend delivered there and I was with her. The facilities were really great but the nurses were so grumpy and IMO not the most helpful. She also didn't have a good experience with the LC. But this was 3 years ago and things might have changed since.

Yup! Loved it from beginning to end. The baby nurses especially were amazing. I had rough delivery and was in a lot of pain. I don't think I could've made it without them. Luckily I was in a shared room where the other bed was empty. Also they have nursing and infant care class the day after you deliver which was great. If I have another it will definitely be there. The only negative thing I can say was the wireless monitor was missing pieces when I was there which impacted my mobility during labor. (Had to lie on the bed during intermittent monitoring ). Best of luck!!!

@LindsayInNY: I can't remember for sure but I think it was $500/night.

@LindsayInNY: if you have a car and want a private room, I would suggest driving out to Long Island and going to North Shore LIJ

they have private rooms and all my friends who had their kids there always have rave reviews. everyone gets a private room, no extra charge. I gave birth at Lenox hill and wished we went to LIJ