Fort Carson??

Hi J.!
I had all of my care at Ft Carson, including delivery. I was very pleasantly surprised, actually. Guess I was a little nervous before my first appointment, but all of the staff there was exceptional, in my opinion. I was considered a high risk pregnancy, due to gestational diabetes, and the doctors took very good care of me. When it came time to go in to the ward for delivery, the staff was very caring and professional. I was admitted pretty early in my labor because of leaking fluid. The mid-wife came to talk to me about my birth plan, and nothing was pushed on me that I didn't want. The nurses even found a roll away bed for my husband to be able to get some sleep and stay in my room instead of having to go to the waiting area. This was three years ago, so I am sure they have changed some things around out there - I had heard that you deliver and stay in the same room now, which was not the case when I was there with our daughter. I was able to walk around some with my husband during labor, which was nice. I have heard some hospitals around here try to keep you in bed. The doctor that delivered me was open to trying different birthing positions, and was sure to explain what would happen in the eventuality that things did not go as I had planned and I had to have a c-section. Thankfully, I didn't have to go that route, but it was nice to have the information before it would have come to that. I was taken to my room shortly after I delivered and my daughter and husband were able to stay in the room with me. They did not have a separate baby nursery at that time, don't know if that has changed, but that is why our daughter was in the room with us from the get-go. They took her to do her shots and whatnot, and would bring her back after they were done. The security was handled very well, my daughter had a bracelet that would lock down the doors if she was taken too close to any of the outer doors of the unit. I had decided to breastfeed, and the lactation consultant came to visit me first thing in the morning to make sure everything was going okay. All in all, I would have no hesitations about delivering there again. The staff was very caring and friendly toward me and my family. Best of luck to you!

Hi J., I was seciptical too. All of my prenatal was done at the AFA and then the birth was down at FT Carson. Over all I was pleased w/ my expierence. The staff was nice as well as caring. I gave birth in L&D and then was moved to my room.

While I was pregnant I was told that anyone I wanted in the room would be no problem then when I got there in labor I was told by the nursing staff that only two people would be allowed in. I talked to the Dr and she said it wouldn't be an issue for all of my loved ones and my Doula to be there they just needed to make sure to not get in the way of the nursing staff and she the Dr. In the end I had six people watching and encouraging me thru the whole pushing stage not including the two nurses and Dr. It was awesome!

I would encourage you to get a Doula. My Doula really helped me. She made sure I had my needs met and kept the nursing staff doing what I wanted. My Doula was Kim Littau and she is THE BEST!! She has an ad here on Mamasource you can read her info her email is ____@____.com and her phone number is ###-###-####. She is very loving and very encouraging and can help keep you and all involved calm.

Good luck.

Hi. I just deleivered eight weeks ago at Evan's. My experience was good as far as the delivery. I had a postpardom hemerage and the doctors and nurses really took good care of me. I felt like I was in good hands.
But I wasn't so impressed with the mother baby unit. I had three previouse children in civilian hospitals and it was very different. I didn't know until I was taken to my room that they are shared rooms with a devider. I wanted to cry because the nurse who helped me dress right after I delivered put the pad on backwards so it wasn't absorbing my bleeding so I was a mess, couldn't get up because they forgot to attach the catheder to my leg so it wouldn't pull so much, and I had Paul, a male nurse who reminded me of Bobby from King of the Hill. He wasn't understanding that I felt extremely dirty and emabaressed to leave my side of the room to get to the bathroom and clean up. I'm used to the nurses helping with the baby while you get your first shower and for the first day bringing you water and such. But they wouldn't help me at all. I had to cart my baby into the bathroom with me. They knew my husband couldn't be with me because our daughter was a week early so our plans for our other children were delayed, my mother in law rushed accross Kansas from KC MO and her car broke down mid-way so my husband had to go get her. I had to have a catheder in for 24 hours and could barely get up to pic up my baby, yet no one helped me. I'm telling you my horror story cause everyone now asks me why I didn't just ask for a different nurse, my night nurse was pretty nice. I could have done that and maybe gotten better care. Paul also gave my daughter sugar water just to pacify her while she was getting labs drawn, she didn't need it, she was nurseing like a champ! He stole her virgin gut as they call it! My husband just got staioned here in march. Today is our 5th anniversary yet we are apart once again cause he has JRTC:( 4 years in the army, four years missed our anniversary. We have four daughters, 5,4,2,and 8 weeks. Congradulations on yours.

My experiences as a birth doula at Evans Army Hospital have been mostly positive. Maybe that is because my clients have been well informed of ALL their options and I have been able to help protect their birthing space.

I really like the fact that they have a midwifery model of care for all of their low risk moms. That is the way it should be across the US, IMO.

What kind of birth experience are you looking for?

C. M., CBE, CLD, MWA
The Westside Birth Connection
www.westsidebirthconnection.com

Hi
I had a planned c-section in January. The staff and doctors were nice and helpful for the most part. It was alittle weird because I did my prenatals at the academy and then only just met the doctor a couple weeks prior to the c-section. I had my own room and my husband was allowed to stay over. However, he didn't eat from the hospital menu and the non-patient cafeteria closed pretty early (just to let you know). Also if you end up with c-section they send you to recovery for a few hours afterwards. this is on a different floor so you are separated from your baby for a few hours and unable to try and nurse. That was upsetting. But they have a great staff to help you with lactation problems and questions. I even came back for a follow up with teh lactation consultant and she was totally helpful. Just remember that nothing ever goes exactly as planned and in the end if you go home with a healthy baby that's all that really matters. :D