Woodwinds Vs. St. Joe's

I've heard wonderful things about the midwife unit at St. Joe's. Very knowledgeable nurses regarding natural birth and ideas for positions and pain management. I've heard mixed reviews on Woodwinds, certainly some wonderful (like the ones here). I'd say visit both and whichever give you the best feeling. Ask your practitioner where they prefer and why for a natural birth. I'd say usually practitioner matters more than place! And if you are thinking of Bradley classes- call me, I just started a series last night and have room for one more couple in our class! A. ###-###-####.

I think every experience is unique so it is hard to recommend or not, based on one experience.

I delivered at Woodwinds - but was only there for about an hour before I delivered. I recall a lot of nurses in the room, but most seemed to be doing paperwork or whatever and not really helping me through the process. I had horrible back labor and did not want to lay on my back but they offered no other options - promptly turning me back over when I jumped onto my hands and knees after a particularly painful contraction. They just kept saying that they had plenty of time because I was a first timer - which ended up not being the case. There was not a nurse near me at all during the pushing - it was just my husband and the doc.. but there were plenty in the room - seemingly just standing there - I just don't recall them talking to me or helping me pull back my legs or anything.

I ended up with a LOT of pain in my tailbone and rarely had a nurse around to see if I needed anything... it was more than 12 hours before I received any pain meds - I didn't even know enough to ask.

I delivered naturally and as a first timer could have used a bit more assistance. My doc was great and the facilities were really nice, I just felt the nursing staff wasn't that helpful. They also REALLY got me off on the wrong foot as far as BFing goes. In the end, I'd go back - but I'd have a doula... which you are doing, so I think you'd be fine.

Take the tours that are offered and go with your gut. I toured both, and both seemed great (some similarities, but some differences as well.) But I had been waffling before the tours, and afterwards it was very clear where we wanted to go.

That said, here was my experience: we went to St. Joe's. I had a 26 hour labor (2nd kid - 1st kid was 30 hours) and a doula and the nurses at St. Joe's were phenomenal. They really worked with us and our doula (I wanted to avoid medical interventions if at all possible) - I was in every labor position that exists, in and out of the tub, at one point when things seemed to be stalling one nurse suggested we go for a walk and unlocked the balcony so we could be outside for a little while. That same nurse brought out the breast pump to do nipple stimulation (her idea). When, at 24 hours, I did decide to do an epidural and a little pitocin, they really helped me make that decision in an informed way (with no pressure one way or the other) and they switched gears seamlessly and quickly. Our doula said there was not another hospital in the Twin Cities that she's delivered at who would have let me go so long after my water broke (24 hours) without starting to push medical interventions (like pit) on me. When,after the epidural and pit, I went from 5 cm to 10 cm in 45 minutes, they also sprang into action, got the doc on call (it was 3:30 am) and I felt like I had a whole roomful of people working with me and rooting for me during the 20 minutes of pushing. There was a shift change in the middle of my labor, and the next day, when the first nurse was back on duty, she came by to see how things had turned out, stayed and talked with us for half an hour, talking through the whole experience (until she was called away because another mother had just been admitted.) I felt as well-cared-for during the two days post-delivery as I did during labor.

Also, St. Joe's was closer to our home, and I appreciated that Children's was so close by, if it should be needed.

All that said, everyone's experience is going to be different, and you should take the tours and go with your gut.

Best of luck!

A good friend just gave birth at Woodwinds less than a month ago. She loved it! She actually said if it weren't for the excruciating (labor) pains every few minutes, she could have been convinced that she was at a spa. :)

J.,

I responded to your Generation's request as well. And, I've heard good things about Woodwinds, but I tell you I loved St. Joe's. Here's why:

1. Waterbirth. It was fantastic.
2. NURSES! They were amazing. I had the BEST labor nurse with my first delivery there. She made all the difference. The after delivery nurses are great too.
3. Location - for me it was much closer and that meant I could labor at home longer.
4. Rooming in. I wasn't able to room in with my first baby, so I really appreciated that. I'm sure they both do it though, but I was able to ask for help at St. Joe's when I needed it, and they were happy to watch my baby at the nurses station while I showered and stuff (my husband was home with the other kids so I was flying solo most of the time at the hospital).

Go take a tour of each, but keep in mind that the nursing staff can make all the difference. I've heard that nurses at St. Joe's have on average 10 + more years of L&D experience.

Jessica

They are both wonderful hospitals and actually very similar in the hands down approach of being able to participate in non-medicated births. Both have NNP's to take care of the babies if needed after deliver. I would askk your provider at your next visit, which one they prefer to deliver at. That practice seperates call on the hospital & I would ask your primary CNM which one she practices at the most and go with that one. Register at both hospitals and it gives you a little freedom too the night you go into labor and who is on call. Also it too depends on which office you go to for your primary care. Each of the offices tend to migrate towards a certain hospital.

I've heard great things about St. Joes but I had both of my girls at Woodwinds (and will have our 3rd one there too). I had a doula for both births (my mom - who is a trained doula) and a Midwife. They were very accomodating and promoted a natural birth. One thing that was different with my 2nd baby was when it was time for me to take a bath after giving birth, my nurse asked if I wanted my baby to take a bath with me - YES!! They also offerend us bag lunches to bring home with us so we didn't have to worry about cooking right when we got home. Also - I was there for kidney problems multiple times was in terrible pain. They had someone come up and do healing touch on me, it was great. It is just a very calming environment. Wherever you choose - it will be perfect!!

I had my second child at Woodwinds and would NEVER go there again. The nurses were very unhelpful! The hospital decor and amenities are great but what you really need when you are delivering a baby or trying to take care of one after the birth is some help from a nurse. During my delivery I threw out my back and was in a lot of pain after the delivery...so much I was on pain meds and couldn't get out of bed. They don't have a nursery so they keep the baby in the room with you which was completely ridiculous because I couldn't get out of the bed to help my son when he was chocking on phlegm from the delivery. At one point I paged a nurse to come help and no one came. Really a bad experience plus if anything goes wrong with the delivery they don't have a NICU. Not sure about St. Joe's (I would have to ask my mom because I was born there)but I think if I were to have a child again I would go to United or St.Johns.

WOODWINDS!!! We had our daughter there, and it is truly amazing. They offer everything you mentioned and have a lot of naturalistic methods.

i had my first at children's in st. paul and my second at woodwinds. children's was great but i really loved woodwinds they are top rated in the country for their prenatal unit. (you can read more about it on their website) their whole philosophy is built around the natural aspect as well so you may enjoy that better for your needs. while i was in labor they offered me lavendar salts for the bath and they have soothing music channels and beautiful scenery.

if you go into labor before 37 weeks they will not take you though.

i am planning on having my third there as well!

st joes hands down....i think they are the best hospital around...they give more personable care there...i had my hysterectomy there bout 10 yrs ago...they actually care about their patients.i had a friend that was terrible sick went to woodwinds...it was so bad there he got up an left went to st joes.i think st joes is more caring because they arent as huge an new as these other hospitals...an its still got lots of the ol training-bedside manner.good luck to ya...