Your Labor/delivery Experience at Caritas Holy Family

Hi A.,

Both my children (now 4.5 and 2) were born at Caritas Holy Family, and I was very pleased with my experiences there.

Both my children were vaginal births. I used hypnobirthing (which I highly recommend--send me a message if you want to hear more about it!), and for both births I arrived at the hospital after my water had broken. For my son (4.5), when I checked in and told the nurse that I was using hypnobirthing, they gave me a room at the end of a hallway where it would tend to be quieter without my even asking. I also used the jacuzzi tub, and my only regret was that my husband left our music in the car. The nurses were excellent, and several times I didn't even notice their checking on me although my husband assures me they did come by frequently--they were very non-obtrusive, but also very responsive once things got going. I had some issues breastfeeding and the lactation consultant was very patient and helpful.

My experience with my daughter 2 years ago was also very positive--and we made sure we brought our own music for the birth that time. :)

I understand what you are saying about hospitals being stark and uninviting, but think about what you need to bring with you to make things a little better--your own pillow, comfortable slippers, favorite music, etc, can help! At Holy Family, you stay in the same room you give birth in, which helps a bit. Also, write a birth plan and make sure your husband gives a copy to the nurses when you arrive. I found the staff were very supportive of what we wanted once they knew what we wanted.

Good luck!

Hello A.,

I delivered my first at Caritas Holy Family in Methuen, and plan on delivering my second there as well next month. I was very worried and nervous as well about being pressured into doing something that I didn't want to do. From the beginning, my plan was to go natrual vaginal birth, and if I needed medication (epidural, etc) then I was open to it. I told that to my husband as well in case I was too "out of it" to communicate it. However, I was not pressured at all to take any medications. The nurse/staff asked once when we first arrived just to see what our plans were, but that was it. I felt that we received excellent service in the 3 days I was there. I hope you have just as good of an experience as my husband and did.

Good luck to you! Remember, people are going to have opinions, so don't let people pressure you. Do what makes you feel comfortable.

Hi A.,
I can't comment on this hospital because I have never been there. I think there are going to be good and bad comments about every hospital. It really depends on the person and what is important to them. Why not go for a tour? It may help you with your decision.
I had my four kids in a hospital because for me personally there was no other way. I just felt that it was better for the baby and my safety. Hospitals are scary and I always had a grose feeling whenever I would walk into one, but I felt it is a completely different feeling when you are their to welcome your child into the world. I also used to work in a hospital in the maternity wing and I have seen the way that a lot of new moms treat the nurses. They expect the world of them and they can be pretty nasty. I have always been very kind to my nurses and with four children I have yet to have a bad one!
As far as your wishes for a pain-free birth. You should definitely have a written birth plan and have a copy on you at all times. If you are very clear about your wishes then I bet your nurses will be respectful. I think that some nurses can push you to get meds if they are afraid that you will not have enough strength to complete the pushing phase. Always listen to your body. You know more than anybody what you can accomplish, but also keep in mind that this is their job and they are very experienced. Have a plan, but try to also be open-minded. Good luck to you!! The best part of your life is about to begin :)

I personally have had c-sections unplanned at Lowell General(1) and planned at Anna Jaques (2), both of which I LOVED! I have a friend who had 3 births at Holy Family and it is very stark (I went to visit her), I am glad I was not stuck there for 4 days! But I can not talk about their actualy care (although her son was put in the nicu, so she would be able to talk more of it.)

Congratulations on your first born!!

H. Z. (SAHM 5, 4, and 16 month old boys)

Have you heard of themotherconnection.org? It is a volunteer based organization that is extremely supportive of new moms. We have a monthly newsletter, playgroups, infant linkup and mom/child workshops.

I live in Methuen but delivered all 4 of my children at Anna Jacques in Newburyport. I had wonderful experiences with all four. I had natural deliveries with all - not a single med. Even though my 4th was an extremely long and hard labor - I was never pressured to be medicated. I was worried they were going to push for a c-section when we entered day 2 of labor, but since he was in no distress they just let nature take it's course. The midwives were incredible!

I did not deliver at holy family but I did deliver at catholic Medical Center in the moms place. Its in Manchester but if it at all is possible I would highly recomend it. It is very home like, the rooms are very private quiet (I felt like I was in a bed and breakfast)I didnt want to leave. The nurses nd staff were great and asked me before they did anything to either myself or the baby. They were not pushy with pain meds, they were there to help if i needed it.
Good Luck
A.

I had both of my children at Holy Family and I had good experiences. One was vaginal birth and the other unplanned c-section. My children now are 11 and 7 and the nurses have maybe changed over the years I still would recommend Holy Family. MY first, I was nervous about when I should go to the hospital, and calling Holy Family I found that they were very nice. Didn't tell me to stay at home for a certain amount of time, but if I would feel more comfortable in the hospital to come in. I also recall the nurse who was at my side the whole time (I was enduced -with both)wanting me to get an eppi, in the long run it was what I needed to have. But they explained why I should have one and asked what my fears were. I had some issue with my ex and very upset, my nurse did what she could to comfort me and grant my request.
My cousin had her children at Lawrence General and raved about it. I hope that you have a very pleasant birthing experience, no matter what hospital you choose.

I am not sure this will help but here it goes. I have 3 children all born in a hospital ( 2 at Hale which no longer has maternity and 1 in 2007 at Lawrence General). My experience was great at each of the hospitals because I was able to tell the nurses on check in what I wanted (I had already had conversations with my doctor(s)). The nurses are great and want to respect your wishes. I was happy to be at the hospital for my first the monitoring of the baby's status put me at ease. The hardest part is finding a doctor you are comfortable with and trust and will listen to you. Best wishes!!!

I had my first child at Holy Family 8 years ago and it was not a good experience for me. I found the nurses to be very cold - especially on 11-7 shift. First I had to convince them I was in labor. My contractions were irregular and they kept trying to send me home. Finally they agreed to keep me overnight, but left me alone the whole time and didn't even check on me once! I remember waking up in the pitch black in terrible pain, disoriented, and scared to death. When I buzzed to say I felt ready to push, I heard 2 nurses in the hallway scoffing about it "she THINKS she needs to PUSH!!". Well, needless to say the baby was born within the hour - and I never got the epidural I had requested because nobody bothered to check in on me. I don't think they will pressure you if you don't want medication. I BEGGED and couldn't get so much as a Motrin! And I didn't see a housekeeper the whole time I was there. You stay in the same room you deliver in and as I was being discharged there was still blood on the floor from my delivery. As I said - this was 8 years ago so hopefully things have changed. My next 2 children were born at Lawrence General (the last just 4 months ago)and I love it there. The nurses are warm, friendly, and so helpful. I often joke I would like to have another baby just to spend the weekend away at that hospital! Good luck and congrats on your 1st baby!

Hi A.,

Congratulations on the new baby! I delivered both of my children at Holy Family Hospital and the experience both times was excellent. I had vaginal births for both of them. For my first baby, I planned on going completely natural, but of course it didn't work out that way. After 27 hours of labor I was only at 2 centimeters. I hadn't slept for about 2 days. So they decided to break my water and give me Pitocin. I had been told by many friends that if that happens to get the epidural because the pain was unnatural and severe. The nurses definitely thought that I should get it so that I'd be able to rest for a while before pushing - they felt I might not have the strength to go through it since I hadn't slept for a long time. So I got the epidural, which went fine (I still had some pain and could move around a little - I wasn't completely immobile) and after a grand total of 39 hours and 2 1/2 hours of pushing, my son was out! He actually ended up in special care for 4 days because of some breathing and eating issues, but everyone was wonderful. I breastfed so I had to pump and bring my milk down to special care for them to use and other times I'd go down to nurse.

With my second baby the experience was completely different. I had some labor at home for about four hours and then went to the hospital, I was 4 centimeters. They got me in a room with a jacuzzi, which I sat in for about 45 minutes - breathing through the contractions, then they checked and I was at 8 centimeters. They called the Dr. I breathed through each contraction for a little while longer, the doctor came, I pushed for about 15/20 minutes and my daughter was out. No drugs, epidural or anything. The nurses ask when you arrive if you're planning on a natural birth, because if you're determined to do that, they won't keep asking if you want pain management.

They always get your consent before they do anything to the baby. With my first I felt slight pressure to give him the Hepatitis Vaccine - they remind you how important it supposedly is - and I gave in, but with my second I told them NO that she wasn't getting in and they didn't give me a hard time at all.

The other thing that was excellent was the nurses that help with lactation. They're so patient and really help you to get the hang of breastfeeding - because it's just plain hard in the beginning.

My youngest will be 3 in a couple of weeks, so I haven't had a recent birth at Holy Family, but as I said, my husband and I were very happy both times.

I wish you all the best. Remember that no matter what you have planned in your mind for the birth, it probably won't go that way - they almost never do. The most important thing is that you and the baby are healthy. So have your birthing plan, but be prepared for the unexpected.

Enjoy!

Jen

most people i know who gave birth there love it. although my friend who had a c-section hated it. she ran out of baby wipes in the room and they wouldnt give her anymore,then the mesh underwear they give you after childbirth they told her to wash them and reuse them yuck!!!! but 9 out of 10 people really do love it there. I went to lawrence general and it was ok. I had really good nurses and my doc was excellent but i think next time i will probally go somewhere else. good luck!!!!!

I'd like to start by saying that you are asking all of the right ?'s and all are right on course, just think if you know what you want and aren't sure about some place than stay with your instincts. I have one child and went through a birth center. was very pleased. They should def. ask you those ?'s, and you have the right to any and everything as a parent and person, brith center or Hospital... good luck!