Butler Hospital

I recently delivered at Butler Hospital, my daughter was born September 30, 2007. There were pros and cons. I'll tell you the bad first then the good. Two of the nurses I encountered were absolutely awful! When I first got to the hospital the nurse ask me why I came in, she treated me as if I was stupid or lying about being in labor. She acted surprised every time she checked me and I had progressed. Luckily there was a shift change and the next nurse (Anne) who came in was absolutely wonderful, I was the only woman to deliver that day and she gave me her full attention, she even helped when another nurse insisted on putting a monitor on my baby's head while I was in the middle of a contraction, I was begging her to wait and she wasn't going to until Anne stepped in. I was hooked up to the monitor the entire time, I thought I was going to be allowed off of it, but I never was. They had to put the internal monitor on the baby because they couldn't get a good reading from the external monitor. Another con was that they wouldn't let the baby sleep in my room with me. She was eating every 3 hours and I barely got any sleep because by the time I sent her back to the nursery and got to sleep they were bringing her back in. One morning a nurse came into take my blood at 6:30 am, then someone came in to take my temperature and blood pressure, then the pediatrician, then one of the doctor's from the practice I went to, then another. The morning I was leaving I had seen my doctor by 9:30 am and didn't get to leave until 1:30, the nurse was really slow, I was her last priority since I was leaving and she wanted me and my boyfriend to watch 4 different videos, that we could've watched the day before while we were doing nothing. I couldn't wait to go home. They also never changed my bed linens or removed any dirty laundry. They brought new sheets in and a new gown for me to wear, but they must have forgotten to change them and I was in no shape to do it myself.

Now that you're horrified let me tell you the good parts. There was a nurse who helped me to get my baby latched on, she was wonderful, as was my labor and delivery nurse. I loved my doctor. My epidural was amazing, the doctor who did it was so quick and it helped a lot but I could still wiggle my toes and move my legs and feel to push. It's a smaller hospital so you do get more attention then you would in a large one (I think, I don't have any experience delivering at a large hospital.) Good luck with your search to find a hospital you're comfortable at.

I have had nothing but bad experiences at Butler Hospital and have heard many other horror stories about every department there, I wouldn't trust them to do anything to me and my family. I had all four of my children at Magee. I go now for any tests or emergencies (even though it is farther away) to Armstrong Hospital in Kittaning. Whatever I was there for, the staff was friendly, kind, helpful and quick. I wouldn't even take my kids to any doctors in the Butler area because of not wanting to go to the hospital. My ped works with Armstrong Hospital.

well, I'm from Butler and have heard so many horror stories that I delivered at Magee. But I had a high risk pregnancy and didn't want to take any chances. There's a great doctor in the plaza where Kmart is. His name is Michael England. I adored him. He delivers out of Magee though. To me it was worth the drive. If you are having a normal pregnancy, you don't have to go to Magee for anything but the baby's birth. I had to drive to Pittsburgh for some testing though. But I didn't mind. I can't recommend Butler Hospital to anyone for any reason. They have never treated me with respect.

I delivered twice at BMH...the first time with my TWINS and second time with my daughter. Both times I was more than pleased. I cant comment on the rest of the hospital/staff but the maternity ward is top notch!!! The nurses are wonderful. I would recommend anyone delivering at BMH, you wont be disappointed.
-C.

I delivered my son at Butler in 2006 and had a great experience. The nurses were so wonderful except one. My sis n law always delivered there and is planning on delivering there again next month. I had heard bad things about Butler as well but once i took the tour and seen how clean and remodeled it was and spoke to a few people I was fine and glad I did give birth there. I would NOT go to Kittanning (armstrong county hospital) I have heard nothing but bad there. my best advice is go with your gut.

J.,
I delivered my son at Butler Hospital a year ago and I have to say I DO NOT recommend it. I was completely disappointed in my experience there as the nurses were very difficult at a time where you need the most support. My water broke at 5pm and it took them until 11pm to finally admit me because of chaos and disorganization and only when they finally decided to check me again and realize that I was almost 7 centimeters dialated did they admit me. I also had an extremely rough birth due to the fact that my son was 9 1/2 pounds and because of the negligence, I was given no epidural that I had previously requested. I have six sisters who all deliver other places because they refuse to deliver at the Butler Hospital because of their poor experiences as well. I must say that some of the nurses are very helpful, but it is hard because it depends on which shift you are getting. I hope this helps and I realize that everyone's experiences are different, so it will be up to you! I have heard that Kittaning is a good hospital and Dr. Russell works from out of there. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about her. I will be switching to her when it is time for me to go to the doctors again.