Hi there. I need suggestions. I am trying to decide whether to deliver at Harris or at Baylor. I am gearing up to to a VBAC and my doctor said either hospital would be good but she'd prefer Harris for a VBAC. Any thoughts?
Thank you everyone for your responses. I've always known Harris to be a great hospital. After all, my mother delivered me there 28 year ago :) I had a horrible experience when I delivered my daughter at MCA (Arlington) so the hospital thing is really important to me. I think I will pre-register this week. Thanks again!
i delivered at harris downtown for both of my boys and my exSIL delivered both girls at harris SW. i had 2 great experiences and would do it again in a heartbeat. my doc was Dr. J. Michael Fite and i miss him now that I've moved.
I had an amazing experience at Harris 8 years ago with my first . . . . and I LOVE that they are right next to Cook's Children's. Had my 2nd at Waxahachie Baylor 4 years ago and once again had an amazing experience. Don't know anything about Baylor in FW. Honestly, I'd go with what your doctor says . . . .
I had my twin girls at Harris(downtown) in 2005. I had the greatest experience. They were going to let me do a VBAC but other things transpired. I was on the ante-partum unit for 3 days before I had them-I was only 30wks. The nurses were AWESOME! The L&D and NICU nurses were awesome too! Originally I was going to deliver at Baylor All Saints til I had to go to a high risk specialist at Harris. And I had a great experience there too.
Harris Midwives (http://www.nurse-midwife.com/) are often recommended for VBAC, but I believe they won't do them with more than 2 C/S (total hearsay on my part though). The hands down best guy in town for VBAC is actually in Denton, Dr. Cummings, and he has VBACd several VBA3 and 4C mamas! but between Harris & Baylor (DOWNTOWN LOCATIONS, not Grapevine, or SW, etc), I'd go Harris.
Also - go to an ICAN meeting (not sure of their site) and a Tarrant County Birth Network (tcbirthnetwork.org) meeting and ask for input there!
I have had 2 kiddos at Baylor Grapevine and they have a great Womens Center. State of the Art!
I would take my doctors advice.
Baylor is your best bet. I delivered mine on 12-19-09 at Baylor Grapevine, and their team was awesome...their staff was great, so were the nurses that helped me coach thru the pushing stage, and even after delivery, they gave you step by step examples of how to nurse, change a diaper, and clothes, as well as burp your child. They even had a lactation consultant on staff that would come in with any questions you had about breast feeding. She took the time to really show examples and was very patient through the whole process as well as encouraging. There were no charges for that eighther. Good Luck. :)
Good luck with Vbac. I so wish I could do one
I worked at Baylor All Saints and delivered there and wouldn't recommend it... Not good patient care for me. I dont think that the staff at the womens' center knew that I worked at the hospital,l but either way, very unsatisfied. I'd listen to your doctor. I have heard good things about Harris and Baylor Cityview. And on a side note: Good for you for a VBAC. I had 2 c sections and didn't dare a VBAC. I admire you. Best wishes for a safe and healthy delivery at either facility.
Since your doctor is giving you a choice - I'd go to Harris (downtown). Yes, I had both of my kiddos there and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it there.
The safety and network of support there is incredible and I adore their gift shop (I even go over there for gifts for folks not in the hospital - great picture frames!) and they have a super lactation boutique with helpful LCs.
Congrats and good luck!
I delivered my DD#1 at Harris SW and even though I had nothing to compare it to, I realized pretty quickly that it was not that great. A few examples: My nurses were all lacking in personality and were not very personable. The Dr on call (mine had gone out of town, of course) was a jerk to my mother who I wanted in the room along with my husband. The lactation consultant was difficult to get in touch with and only spent about 10 minutes "helping" me. I had lots of trouble getting DD to latch on properly and ended up with cracked bleeding nipples...not fun. Also, in place of a proper cold pack to numb/ease the pain of the episiotomy they stuffed a newborn diaper with crushed ice...yea, strange.
Then jump forward 4 years and I delivered DD#2 at Baylor Grapevine and it was just a wonderful experience. The nurses were all so great and helpful, my Dr was awesome (Dr. Michael White, BTW), lactation consultant was great, rooms were well stocked and comfortable, they were kind to my husband and made a big fuss over DD#1 being a new big sister. It was just a more comfortable, homey environment and I have recommended it to many friends.
So good luck and congratulations!
I had my daughter at Harris and it was a great hospital. Granted, this was 5 years ago, but assuming their level of care is the same, I would recommend it. I don't know much about Baylor. Hope you have a great delivery!
Are you part of the North Texas email ICAN group? They would have suggestions for sure. I'm on the Dallas side and would tell you to go to Baylor Dallas - awesome for VBACs/natural birth. But I'm not sure about the hospitals in Ft Worth. Here's a link to the group if you need it. These ladies are awesome:
I would go with Harris, no doubt. I delivered my son all natural and this was the hospital my doctor wanted me to use. She has privileges at both, but said that Harris was more natural birth friendly. Baylor is still just too new.
Congrats on your baby!! I would go with your doctor's advice. She works closely with the staff at each hospital, and knows what goes on "behind the scenes," so to speak.
I also wanted to make a comment on the diaper ice pack. I am a Labor & Delivery nurse, and the regular ice packs we are provided with do not get as cold or work as well as our homemade ones (ie diaper or glove filled with crushed ice). Might be "strange," but it works!
