Seeking Recommendations for Syracuse-area Hospitals for Childbirth

Hi C.,
Welcome to Syracuse. I am a mother of 16 weeks twins and delivered at Crouse. I absolutely loved my expereince at Crouse and all the staff there. Every person on labor and delivery as well as the maternity floors were wonderfully supportive, positive, and knowledgeable. My husband and I were in wonderful hands there. I am still touched with the memory of a phlebotomist who was drawing blood from my son. He put a tiny ice pack on his tiny foot. He massaged his foot and leg so gently and talked with him. He took his time with him. My son never felt a thing.

The lactation staff were so helpful. I still call them with questions and they have called to see how we are all doing.

The rooms are beautiful and there is a a jacuzzi tub on the floor available.

My doctor was Leonard Marotta. He was wonderful and supportive too. He allowed me to attempt a vaginal birth and encouraged me to try different methods to accomplish it. Many obs discourage those pregnant with twins to attempt a vaginal birth. After 19 hours, labor failed to progress and my contractions slowed. He then performed a c-section. The care I received from him was great. I appreciate his patience too.

I wish you well this winter. Although our winters are cold and snowy they can be fun too with many public parks and activities outside.

Hi C.-

Welcome to Syracuse! I'm a mother of four and delivered all of my babies at St. Joseph's. What a great place and wonderful experience! My last three I delivered at the BirthPlace. Every patient gets their own room, you deliver in the same room you stay in. There is also a family room with toys for the kids for when your two year old comes to visit. You have nurses that are assigned just to you and the focus is on more natural childbirth. You can have pain meds but no epidural. They have a jacuzzi tub. They have you write a birth plan ahead of time and work with you to make your labor and delivery as comfortable for you as possible. There are only three rooms at the birthplace so it is small and you get a lot of great care. The nurses also did a lot for my family. My husband stayed over with me, since the bed is full size. My kids got to help give the baby it's first bath. They also let them ring the bells that play outside the hospital, which they do whenever a baby is born. Very special!
My doctor is Dr. Richard Waldman; he's in the same practice as Dr. Melissa Brown that someone else posted about. He and his wife actually started the Birthplace many years ago. All the doctors and midwives in that practice are great. Jane Fields delivered my last three, she was awesome!
I wish you the best of luck.

I delivered at St. Joes, started in the Birth Place and was moved to Labor & Delivery because I had to be induced. My nurse stayed with us and everyone was wonderful. You can always tour there, the nurses are exceptional.

I go to Dr. Melissa Brown at Associates for Womens Medicine: http://afwomensmed.com, they are wonderful and have offices on James Street in Syracuse, Fayetteville and North Syracuse (those doctors are wonderful, too. Dr. Kaverty delivered our daughter).

Drs. Loftus, Houck and Ryu...###-###-#### - there is another woman in the practice as well now...not sure of her name. The drs. are wonderful...all 3 of my kids were delivered at Crouse (best NICU around, just in case there is a problem...actually, all 3 of our babies stayed there and received phenomenal care), by each one of the drs...I jokingly say we should have a 4th to try out the new doc! They have been wonderful...compassionate and cool...love them, love them, love them... I have met NO ONE who has used them and not felt the same as me... I'd recommend them to anyone, even my own daughters.

Best wishes to you...
J.

I totally agree with your first poster .... I too went to the Birth Place in St. Joe's and it was a WONDERFUL experience. I also go to Assoc. for Women's Med and see Dr. James Brown (the 1st poster's brother=-in-law). They are all wonderful doctors and the hospital staff in the Birth Place is fantastic! They have the jacuzzi tubs (and they are great at 2AM!!!) and the birthing balls.
Good luck!

St. Joe's is good but Crouse is wonderful( I delivered in both) and if anything goes wrong with the delivery or the baby then Crouse is definately where you want to be(trust me). You can schedule a tour of all the hospitals and see which one fits your needs best. I have never delivered in Community but I have been there for a delivery and it just felt like the twilight zone to me....whatever that means!
I have only had experiences with two OB/GYN's. The first one( I will not name) wasn't that great. The second one, who I swear by is Dr. Berry. She is great and accomidating and by golly she listens to you! Since you are trying to have your baby naturally then you may opt for her mid-wife who I never had but heard good things about. Her practice is affiliated with Crouse. Good luck.