Giving Birth at Shawnee Mission Medical Center vs Menorah Medical Center

My first was born at Shawnee Mission. It was fabulous! The entire experience was perfect. The nurses there were very attentive and it was just what I needed as a new mom who had no idea what I was doing.

The second was born at Menorah and it was a good experience. The one thing that stands out as a MUST do, is bring something for your husband to sleep on (blow up mattress) because the fold out chair is the most uncomfortable thing ever. My husband spent the night on the little bench in the corner (look at the bench under the window when you tour) because schrunching his 6' frame up on the bench was better than the fold out. So, if you go Menorah bring something for your husband to sleep on! Other than that, Menorah was good enough. It wasn't the same experience as I'd had at Shawnee Mission, but I wasn't as high maintenance this time around having already been there and done that. Oh and the food is horrible! I would strongly suggest you have people bring food in.

If I'd had the choice I'd have used Shawnee Mission the second time too. But I didn't.

I delivered at Menorah many years ago, 16 years to be exact. It was a good experience but I hardly remember it anymore LOL.

S.

I've had to laugh reading the responses because they're so varied, and some are the opposite of my experiences at each hospital.

I have delivered at both hospitals. SMMC 11 years ago, Menorah 8 years ago.

SMMC (1st baby) - Went in at 1 am, had very snotty nurse who said I wasn't having strong enough contractions, went home. Came back at 1:30 pm dilated to 6, only now all of the "good" rooms were full and I was stuck in one of the old overflow rooms just off the maternity ward. Dilated to a 10 - a gaggle of nurses are in the room doing nothing but jabbering on and on about OJ's aquittal and driving me insane. The nurse would not let me sit up during delivery, so I had to push the boy UP through the birth canal and ended up being torn all the way through the vaginal wall. I hardly ever saw a nurse over the next 24 hours, nobody would come help me when I said he wouldn't latch on, and nobody tried to advocate for me to stay past the 24 hours when I was bleeding like a stuck pig and the baby hadn't latched on yet.

Menorah - 2nd baby - Great nurses, listened to what I wanted, checked on me regularly but not intrusively. I did get moved to an overflow room about 12 hours after the birth because they needed the room. And contrary to what someone else said - I thought the food there was HORRIBLE. lol That was really the only thing I didn't like about it. I begged people to bring me food, and I ended up leaving early because I felt fine, the baby was latching on, and I was hungry.

I think the key thing is to have a birth plan WRITTEN DOWN about what you want. Give a copy to your doctor ahead of time and discuss everything on your list. Then, bring at least 2 copies to the hospital to give to your nurse, and maybe one for the next shift nurse if need be. I did not do this with #1, although I had discussed this all with Dr. Magee, but he wasn't there that night so nobody listened to me. #2, I had it all typed up and nobody questioned me. Huge difference.

Oh - I was born at SMMC in 1966, but sorry I don't remember any details. lol

I loved giving birth at Shawnee Mission. The nurses were wonderful and the birthing room was really nice. I recovered in a nice room that had double beds so my husband was able to sleep on that instead of some uncomfortable cot. They have great security measures and really make the whole experience a memorable one. Good Luck!

Hi R.,

I have delivered at both hospitals and had contradictory experiences.

SMH had great nurses, big room, horrible food. My family had to go across the street to Panera because I couldn't stand the food.

Menorah had good follow up nurses (delivery nurse didn't listen to me very well when I told her I was a good pusher and I ended up with a 3rd degree tear because the baby's head popped out when I pushed once and my doctor hadn't arrived yet - boy was my doctor ticked off at her!) the room was small and the food was awesome! My hubby joined me for every meal. hehe.

Over-all, If I could deliver at SMH and have Menorah's food, it would be perfect.

I guess it's just the luck of the draw all the way around.

Good Luck!

I just had a baby in Nov at Shawnee Mission and it was a great experience dispite my many pregnancy complications!! I spend 19 days in and out of the hospitqal with complications and my little one spent 11 days in the NICU due to under devolped lungs, ( he was a month early!)... ALL of the staff was wonderful and took great care of all of us!! The nurses & docotrs were great with my Husband who was able to room in with me during days hospitalized!! A few of them have become friends and I still keep in touch with!! I would highly reccommend this facility!!!

I had my son at Menorah. I loved it there. The nurse were amazing. I had a very postive exprience there and when I needed a break to catch some sleep they took my son and watched over him for us.

I had my son at Shawnee Mission this past August, and everyone was wonderful. I had to be induced, then had a c-section, so I was there a total of 5 days. I was very pleased with the nurses and the rest of the staff.

I gave birth at Menorah and my sister delivered at Shawnee Mission Medical. In comparison of the two I chose Menorah. They are much nicer and their sweets are great. You are guarenteed a private room after delivery. Shawnee Mission couldn't guarentee it. Good Luck!

I had 2 deliveries at SMMC. Both times it was under construction. Both times it was overcrowded. On the positive side, I had a very large first child, and had it not been for the exceptional nurse with me, I would have had a c-section. She was a great cheerleader and teacher. I do not know much about Menorah's Brithing Center, But I know they are a good hospital. You might ask your Doc which hospital her other patients request.

I have given birth at both hospitals, and they were both good experiences, for the most part, but when I had my 2nd (SMH) she is 2 1/2 now, my Dr. recommended SMH because it has a lot bigger nursing staff and they aren't as busy as Menorah. I would get better attention, and at that time, Menorah had gotten some poor press, so my suggestion is to ask your doctor which she prefers, she is going to be honest with you, she wants you to have a good experience. Hope this helps.

K.

I gave birth 2x at SMMC- great nurses, loved it- my SIL gave birth 2x at Menorah- they were amazing, not as busy and the food is awesome! :) Not that this helps but both are great hospitals!

I have had both of my kid at shawnee mission med center and never had any problems with the hospital the nurses are very friendly. In 2003 i had my daughter and she was in the NICU for the first week of her life and i never had to worry about her because i knew that she was in good hands.

I have given birth at both hospitals. Menorah was great, but I prefer Shawnee Mission. Here is why:

The nurses were not as busy and had more time for me.
They are very pro-nursing and the gowns are nursing accessible.
There is a Mommy and Me store on premises.
The recovery room was bigger and more comfortable.
I did not feel weird sleeping with my newborn.
The nighttime interuptions for vitals were very quick and quiet.

Have fun on your tours!

I'm expecting in about a month and I'm delivering and I've taken the tour at Menorah. This is my first. I really like their facilities. I like how it doesn't really feel like a hospital! Good luck!

I delivered my 2nd at Menorah 6yrs ago and thought the staff was great and the food even better (the carrot cake was my favorite)
I had some complications and ended up with an emergency c-section. Once things started going down hill for me and the baby the nurses and doctor remained calmed but were still running very quickly and every thing turned out well. Good Luck and I am sure either hospital would be great!