Woodwinds or United for Delivery Baby??

I have delivered at both United and Woodwinds. Woodwinds was a wonderful experience. I seriously compare it to a spa, I had a foot massage and pressure point treatment, looked out the window at the natural landscape, listened to nature sounds music, my sister also delivered there and she had accupuncture and had a wonderfully relaxing time too. I liked the security at Woodwinds, I liked that they want your baby to room with you, and I loved the big rooms.

When I delivered at United I was in this tiny room where you could not comfortably have 3 people visit at one time. I had a c-section and lost a lot of blood but still felt like I was bothering the nurses to help me. That was why I tried Woodwinds for my second and absolutely loved the experience, I did not want to go home. The nursing staff was fabulous, my c-section was perfect. I am kind of sad that I am done having babies because I can't have another baby there and experience it again.

My pediatrician also did not go there, I used the pediatrician who was doing rounds there and felt totally comfortable with her, I considered waiting for the circumcision to see his pediatrician but I felt so comfortable and confident in the Dakota Pediatrics Dr. so I asked her to do it.

If you were at risk for having a preterm baby or think you want to be close to a high level 3 NICU then I would pick United, but if you have no reason to think you will need a level 3 NICU, then Woodwinds is fantastic for both you and your baby. It is a night and day experience, Woodwinds is wonderful and happy, United is sterile and impersonal and you have the chance to be rerouted due to full capacity at both United and Woodwinds.

Hi V.~ I think you should select the hospital (when the mom is not having any complications during pregnancy), based on where your team of doctors will be when you deliver. Sounds like your doctor has previlages at both hospitals, but will he/she for sure deliver your baby or does it become whoever is on call. Do they do the primary of the deliveries at one hospital over the other. I think you can get the "number" feeling at either of the hospitals when busy and OB is bursting at the seems right now for all of the facilities. So go with where you feel you will get the physician care you are seeking and you have the answer. If you choose Woodwinds, your peds may not go there, but that is not a big deal. The truth is you end up seeing someone in the practice generally anyway. SO if you go there and your Peds does not; not a big deal. They have NNPs on staff as well as Level II Nsg. staff if something is needed for the baby. You can choose one of the HealthEast Peds to see the baby int he hospital or I suggest Central Peds. When you check in, tell your nurse that you want Central Peds to see the baby while in the hospital. (Peds do not usually attend the delivery anyway). They do not come in until the following morning after delivery. The Central Peds doctor will come in see your baby the morning after delivery and all of your other days there. Tell the attending pediatrician; your plans to transfer care to "XYZ" clinic. They will make sure that all of your information gets to your right clinic. WHile you are in the hospital, you can even call to make your baby's 1st follow-up appointment with your peds of choice. If you alert the staff, they will make sure your PKU results as well as your hearing screen results to your desired clinic. Good luck with your decision.

Woodwinds!!
I had one baby at each hospital. With United I felt like a number... like I was burdening the nurses each time i needed something. I hated it!
At Woodwinds I felt like a queen. They brought me food in the middle of the night, I got acupuncture, the nurses actually seemed like they liked their jobs and were ALWAYS happy to help you.
There is no question in my mind that I would choose Woodwinds over United. Hands down!
C. O

Woodwinds has some very wonderful staff and mother/baby friendly practices. So much depends on WHO attends your birth, as much or even more so than the facility.

It's important for you to check in with your own intuition, however, and really trust what your gut tells you.

Best wishes for a beautiful birth!

Hi V.,

I have never been to Woodwinds (but from what I'm reading, it sounds heavenly!). I delivered my daughter at United, and had a great experience. Everyone from the nurses, doctors, and lactation consultants were amazing. They really made sure I had all the resources I needed to make my delivery and transition wonderful. They have an on-site lactation shop where you can shop for supplies (bras/clothing, pumps and parts, and everything in between). They also have an incredible new parent group that meets weekly for the first four months. It's a great resource for commiserating, getting answers, and making friends. Some of my best friends are those I met at the hospital! I'm sure there will be horror stories and accolades for any hospital you look at; you'll just have to go with your gut! (or your baby bump!) Best of luck and wishes for a quick, easy, and healthy delivery!

V.

My friend who delivered twice at United had great experiences. I think the biggest perk about United is honestly, how close Children's Hospital is to it. If anything questionable is happening to the baby - it's a quick transfer. I delivered at Fairview Ridges - at the time I heard some positive and negative stories too but I really didn't have many other options. I ended up having a fantastic experience BUT we also knew that if the baby was having any major difficulties that the baby would have been transferred to Children's Hospital. Luckily, we gave birth to a very healthy boy.

I work at a hospital (not United, Woodwinds or Fairview) but I know most hospitals pride themselves on referrals and good care. If for any reason you don't feel like your needs are being met - VOICE THEM!!!! It's better for them to know that you're unhappy or frustrated with care rather than wait until you get the evaluation b/c they can't change anything unless they know right away. Every hospital has a patient advocate - seek them out if you have any problems with your care. I think your hospital choice really depends on YOU and your personality. Some people's personalities clash with different nurses. I can't say I loved all the Fairview nurses but for the most part they did whatever they could to make me feel comfortable (I had a C-section) and were great with our baby. Maybe ask your OB what she likes best about the different hospitals b/c you're having a hard time making the decision, ask which hospital nurses have more TLC?? The drs probably can't show much favoritism but maybe ask some of the nurses at your clinic. I remember asking for a lot of opinions at mine and even at the hospital about some of the procedures. They offer it as their opinion or from experience. Nothing else - which hospital is closer, is cheaper, has better parking for visitors if you plan to have many visit? Sorry I didn't give you a ton of help but maybe more questions to ask yourself. Make a list of pros and cons. Good Luck!

I had an excellent experience at United! Both of my children were born there and I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

I delivered at Woodwinds and used one of their pediatricians for the in hospital bit and they were great. I had a great experience there (as has everyone I know who has delivered there). Go to Woodwinds. It's easy to just do the follow up with your pediatrian a week later.

I am unable to make a comparison as I know nothing about United's maternity program, but I enjoyed delivering at Woodwinds in 2006. The nurses and my midwife were very attentive during labor/delivery and the accomodations were nice. There is a big tub in the room to labor in and then to bathe in after delivery if desired. The sleeping accomodations for my husband weren't all that comfortable but generally there is plenty of space to roam around in and receive visitors. They also have a rocking chair for rocking baby if so desired. The lacation nurse visits all new moms and holds group sessions on how to get nursing started. I particularly like the fact that the baby rooms in as there is not a nursery unless your baby has special needs. This means that the baby stays all night with you but if you are really having difficulty sleeping, the nurses will 'babysit' for a few hours until the next feeding. Also, the nurses are there whenever you need them, but also let you explore and experience the first days of being a new parent on your own - meaning they're not trying to take over babycare or tell you what you must do. They also have options within the hopsital for natural care alternatives during labor including aromatherapy, massage, and water birth. The only drawback, in my opinion, was the food. I wasn't all that impressed with the menu - but for two days it was healthful, sufficient and didn't taste that bad. Good luck with your decision and enjoy your new baby!

Hi V.,

I had my son in December of 2007. I had planned to deliver at Woodwinds, but the maternity ward was full when it was time for me to go to the hospital.

I was under the care of private Nurse Midwife who delivered at both Woodwinds and Hudson Hospital, so I was sent to Hudson, which I had never stepped foot in before in my life. It went well--the staff at Hudson was great and of course my Nurse Midwife was there. But the last minute change in plans was unsettling, to say the least.

Woodwinds is a very popular hospital, and for good reason. I love going there. But I would ask your doctor how often Woodwinds "fills up" and what Plan B is if it does.

ETA: I should add that I was not in active labor when I was told Woodwinds was full. My water had broke about 18 hours prior to that, and I was not having contractions and thus needed to be induced. Let me know if you have any questions.

I have delivered 3 children at United and 1 at St. Johns. The staff was wonderful for all three deliveries and it was a great comfort to know that Children's Hospital was right next door if there was an unexpected emergency.

I can only say I have had great experiences. My husband has had a few stays at United for other issues, I wouldn't take him anywhere else.

Congratulations on your new little girl.

G.

Definitely go to the place you will feel the most comfortable. When I was getting ready to have my baby my OBGYN said that I would have to go to a different hospital because the hospital that I had chosen was closed to new deliveries. I had gestational diabetes and after getting my sister involved (she a RN and patient care supervisor for a clinic under the hospital I wanted to go to) I was able to go in for my induction to the hospital I had chosen. I liked it because it had a great staff and it was so much closer than the other (which was downtown in a seedy area). How you deliver is just as important as your pediatric choice. The doctor my daughter saw at the hospital was in the same practice but did not end up being her pediatrician since he did not practice out of their location that I took her to. Go for where you will feel most comfortable.

Hi V.,
My advice is to go where you think you will have the most comfortable delivery. Unless you know your baby has some kind of an issue that your ped should look at right away she will be find just being checked out by the doctor doing rounds at the time. Like you said you can always get her into your normal ped within a few days of being released from the hospital.
Good luck for a happy and healthy delivery wherever you go!

I've delivered twice at United. The first experience in 2006 included a terrible labor nurse (complaints were filed) but it was good that I was there because my son was breech and pinching a nerve in my hip and I was at 9cm when this was all discovered, so there was a rush to do a c-section. My second, in 2008, was a repeat c-section and everything went great. I had great doctors, nurses and all 14 people in the delivery room were great! ;-) After both deliveries, I had great experiences with the nurses and doctors, my babies roomed in with me both times. I was able to do things my way, at my pace, with guidance from the nurses. The food was good, the rooms are somewhat small and it isn't a spa, they do have the lactation consultant who visits all nursing moms and they have classes you can take while you are there both for nursing and for learning general baby care. Oh and the security is great too. Hope that helps you with your decision - congrats on the new addition to your family!