Where to Deliver in Olympia?

My friend had delivered all 3 of her kids at St. Pete's and I was there for 2. The staff were very nice. Another friend delivered her 2 at CMC, but I don't know how it was. (I know there ER was not equipped to handle a 1 year old, when I went.) I delivered my 2 at St. Josephs and even drove there from Oly to do so. I loved it. They were very nice and accommodating. When I said I wanted a water birth, they opened up that area just for me. With my 2nd, they were extremely packed, but they were still very nice. My midwives are in the same building as the Birthing Inn and it is a lovely, calm place, but I wanted a nurse there to help with the baby after. (Both of my kids were jaundice and my youngest had to have mucus suctioned out of her stomach - not a danger, just the mucus was uncomfortable for her.) The Pearl Place Midwives are great if you want to drive to Tacoma. Hope this helps.

We went to St. Josephs in Tacoma. We had a midwife and home water birth with our first and it went without a hitch. Our midwife had good relations with St. Joseph's, so when things were looking complicated this time around we scheduled there (we induced with Cytotech- which may not be the best solution for everyone). They had a birthing tub and everything! Everything went well. Our OBGyn did not make it in time (she was detained in a surgery) things moved very quickly and the baby was delivered in the tub by the midwife -which was just fine with us. The staff was nice, the hospital was accommodating to husband, older sibling and family. The hospital food was even good, which was completely unexpected.

It wasn't perfect, it would be too nitty gritty to go into the details. I imagine it is just the type of thing that is overwhelming for everyone. But if I had to do it over again, the only thing I would do differently is I might have a doula.

Good luck,
k

I had a great experience at St. Peters. My labor and delivery nurse was fabulous. Also, my night nurse (the same both nights I was there) was also amazingly helpful. I have not delivered at CMC but I have heard that their nurses are good too, I have close friends who have delivered there. I don't know if this is your first, but I would recommend choosing a hospital based on feedback on the nursing care. I found it was the most important thing when I was in labor.

Hi C.,

I loved delivering at St. Pete's and the postpartum experience that came along with it. All the nurses were amazing. I've heard the same from all my friends.

Last time I had an emergency c-section, so I spent a lot of days there! I am currently pregnant with #2 and seeing the midwives from WomanCare, but will have my surgery done by Dr. Burtner. I LOVE WomanCare! They spend so much time with me, and the offices don't have that icky sterile feeling.

Good luck!

Carloyn,
This is one of the most important decisions on having a baby... where and with whom to have your baby! Good luck with your decision. Where you choose to have your baby and with whom is very personal.... we can give yu all of our recommendations, but the most important way to determine what to do is based on your own gut feeling on whom you trust and where you feel most safe. I have heard good things about St. Pete, Capitol Medical Center, St. Joseph's, the Birthing Inn, and Tacoma General. It's all in what you feel is most safe for you!
In my childbirth classes we focus one whole class on determining what we feel is safe for each of us individually, questions to ask care providers, and how to find a midwife/OB, and/or doula.
Good luck on your decision and I hope you have a wonderful, safe, and healthy birth!

With love,
S.
www.empoweredbirthing.net