Birthing Center at St Lukes Roosevelt

J.,
If you go to St. Luke's website they have an orientation. There you can learn more about the birthing center and visit it.
There is a class you have to take to use the birthing center. You also have to have a midwife or doctor who is willing to deliver you there.
I wanted the birthing center but ended up in L&D. What they don't tell you is that if anything is abnormal with your pregnancy you will probably not be allowed the birthing center.
I ended up in L&D because they thought my baby was too big. That's the long and short of it. Even though everything else was healthy and perfect, because of the size they ended up really worrying about size and then they induced me. This could happen especially depending on your doctor. It depends on how commited you are to the birthing center. At the birthing center you are in a private room the whole time. You are not hooked up to monitors, which makes you pretty much bed bound. You are much more in control of your delivery in the center. But once you decide on St. Luke's you are under their doctor's rules and policies. So I'd do the research and get into classes there soon!!
If you really want a non interventional birth a home birth may be a good option.

I delivered at St. Luke's but not at the birthing center. If you think you can deliver without drugs then more power to you! I think you need to meet with people at the hospital before they will allow you to deliver there. And I do know if you decide to get an epidural that they will move you up to the standard delivery rooms. I also know that you are discharged pretty soon after you deliver (if you give birth in the birthing center). Since you don't have any drugs, you don't need to stay two more nights at the hospital. Good luck!

I was assaulted at St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital the day i delivered my baby. Get a doula and make sure your husband/partner doesnt get intimidated by the laboring process or doctor.
I was assaulted by Dr. Claudia Holland. There is a blog/Website against her. PLEASE dont let this dr. come near you or the baby. She covers for other practices when the patient's respective doctors are not around.
She assaulted me both physically and verbally....

Hi there,
I was planning on using the Birthing Center, and took the required class (you have to in order to be admitted, and this is where all of your questions would be answered). I had not been told until that point that if you go only six days past your due date, that this disqualifies you from being in the birthing center. Of course, at the time, you think--"oh I won't go that long." But I went into labor six minutes (literally, 12:06 on April 26th) past the deadline, so ended up in regular Labor and Delivery unit. Since this is your first, you have a higher chance of also being overdue.
At any rate, I had a great experience in regular L And D. Delivery was in a private room, the labor nurses were great. Post-partum was a shared room (though they have privates for extra cost) and was quite pleasant. I got a lot of help with breastfeeding from the nurses there.
So that doesn't answer your questions about the birthing center, but just wanted to let you know that the other alternative is fine!
best wishes and have a safe and blessed delivery!!