Shawnee Mission Medical Center - Kansas City,KS

I lOVED having my 3 children at SMMC. I also LOVED the RN's. they were all so sweet and caring!! I never had any thing go wrong with any of my kids there. I myself would not go anywhere else. they took so good care of me and my kids I was sad when I had to leave in 3 days:) I wanted to stay:) And yes the new maternity ward is so nice!!

I agree with the Providence choice. I would never want to be admitted there. SMMC has changed a lot, I have only heard great things about the new maternity ward.

Isn't it sad that there are so negative statistics about our local hospitals?? I don't know anything about Providence, but I will agree with the other posters about SMMC. I just delivered there 2 weeks ago and was a bit nervous b/c I had delivered elsewhere with my first, but I was happily surprised. The nurses were awesome! I think you can feel good about that choice and be worry free, you'll have enough to worry about anyway! ;)

If I were you I would not go to providence I had my daughter there almost 3 years ago and well lets just say I had a few issues there!!! I had my son at Shawnee 6 years ago and had excellent care of course he stayed with my 247 and if they took him my husband would go to being our first baby and very prtective but yes they have redone the maternity ward and a few of my friends have delivered there with in the past few years and had great care also. Good luck and go with your gut and check everything out!!

I had a wonderful experience at SMMC. I gave bith to my daughter there two years ago, and have nothing but positive things to say about the nurses and staff.

I had all three of my children by c-section at SMMC and had nothing but wonderful experiences each time .

I had a wonderful experience delivering at Shawnee Mission. The birthing rooms are all redone with hard wood and are spacious--recovery rooms are still small. My son was in the NICU for a week, and they let me "room in" and stay for free to be near him after insurance required I be discharged. They also have a higher level of NICU than many others in the area. We'll go back for baby #2 when the time comes.

I can only speak from my sister's experiences. She had her first baby at Providence and it was terrible and had lots of issues. Five years later (in 2002) she had her second baby at SMMC and had a wonderful experience and no complications. I had surgery there in January and was pleasantly surprised. It was a good experience. Having a baby is always a nervous time, but the outcome is always what makes it worth it. Good luck and Congratulations!

When choosing a pediatrician, I was advised by both friends and my own provider to avoid them. We use Mercy, Dr. Weltmer, who I LOVE for pediatrics. I had my child in Georgia, so I can't speak to their services--but I have been advised by many to avoid.

I had a baby 9 months ago at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. I thought the nurses were great and both me and my beautiful baby received excellent care. It IS one of the best in the area and I definitley recommend them! I had a great experience!

I hd DD at SMC 2 years ago & had a GREAT experience. I had a C so didn't experience the labor rooms, BUT I was there for 4 days, so I had a lot of nurses. ALL of them were good. They also have good support for BFing if yo need help. If I was having another, I'd go back.

I had my last baby at providence and they were under construction. I don't know if they still are, but there were a ton of workers and drills and noise the WHOLE time. It was not very peaceful. The nurses did not listen to me when I was in labor, but they were great after I had the baby. I'm was worried about them switching the baby, so I made my husband stay with the baby the whole time and made them keep her in my room, I only let her go to the nursery for her shot and jaundice testing, but my husband/mom went with her.
That is good to know about shawnee mission, I'm having a baby there in April, so I will have to do my research.

I had my daughter at SMMC almost 9 months ago to the day and everything was WONDERFUL!! I agree with the BF'ing support...they are wonderful. My daughter didn't want to take my breast at first, but they worked with her and me and we had it down before we left. They also have a support group you can attend if your baby still won't take to your breast after you are discharged from the hospital. I would recommend SMMC and if we have another child, that's where I will deliver!

I'm sorry, but I've heard bad things. I've heard bad things about Providence and pretty much every other hospital, too, though. I suggest a home birth. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I don't blame you about Providence. I do not care for them either. There are several ladies that I work with that have had their babies at SMMC and they had really great expriences. They have re-done the ward and it is really nice. It is suppose to be one the best in the area. I would talk to your doctor and let your feelings be known. I would also take a tour of SMMC and see first hand what it is like.
Hope this helps