Moms who deliverd at StonyBrook or St. Charles...

If you delivered at either of these hospitals can you share what you thought of the experience? I'm mostly concerned with having as natural a birth as possible (not saying I'll definitely refuse the epidural, but I want to try!) and I'm wondering how supportive either of these hospitals are with women who want to avoid medications. I'm especially hoping to avoid Pitocin and an episiotomy, and even being hooked up to an IV if possible. But I've been reading how many doctors like to just do things their way. I know that's more of a question for my OB, but I was wondering how the hospital staff is in trying to make the mother comfortable during labor and allowing her to get out of bed and move around or even stand in the shower for a while if that helps with the pain?

I know I don't want to do a home birth because I want to be in a hospital in case anything goes wrong. I'm just wondering if the hospital staff is supportive to mothers who want to try to avoid an epidural? Also, if anyone had a great OB in Suffolk county who was supportive in having a more natural birth, please recommend!!!

Thanks!!!

Re: Moms who deliverd at StonyBrook or St. Charles...

I delievered in St Charles in 2010 and I'll be delivering number 2 there in a few more weeks. The labor and delivery staff was incredible. I had the sweetest nurses and I was in the labor for 22 hours. I ended up with a csection but that was because I never dilated passed 3 cm and my dd was showing signs of distress. I think the nurses support whatever decision you make. They never tried to convince me of one option or another. I choose an epidural after 14 hours of peak contractions spaced 2 mins apart. I used Dr. G. SanRoman In port Jefferson station. He has the sweetest midwife who works with him Michelle and she is definitely for and experienced in natural childbirth. She stayed with me during my 22 hours of labor and even came in the OR when I had to have a csection. Eta: they do let you walk around and take a shower. I couldn't because shower because I was pos for strept b and had to be hooked to iv and later to oxygen for the baby.

Message edited 4/28/2012 12:03:50 PM.

Re: Moms who deliverd at StonyBrook or St. Charles...

Re: Moms who deliverd at StonyBrook or St. Charles...

Posted by MrsKelly

Posted by mnmsoinlove

I delievered in St Charles in 2010 and I'll be delivering number 2 there in a few more weeks. The labor and delivery staff was incredible. I had the sweetest nurses and I was in the labor for 22 hours. I ended up with a csection but that was because I never dilated passed 3 cm and my dd was showing signs of distress. I think the nurses support whatever decision you make. They never tried to convince me of one option or another. I choose an epidural after 14 hours of peak contractions spaced 2 mins apart. I used Dr. G. SanRoman In port Jefferson station. He has the sweetest midwife who works with him Michelle and she is definitely for and experienced in natural childbirth. She stayed with me during my 22 hours of labor and even came in the OR when I had to have a csection. Eta: they do let you walk around and take a shower. I couldn't because shower because I was pos for strept b and had to be hooked to iv and later to oxygen for the baby.

they ARE the best... i worked for gus & michele from 1998-2004 and i still go to them. My mom knew gus as she was a delivery room nurse in st charles for 30 years. Its a great hospital with great nurses & staff, for sure.

Message edited 4/28/2012 3:51:30 PM.

Re: Moms who deliverd at StonyBrook or St. Charles...

Isnt suffolk ob/gyn right in the same area? I'd definitely try to switch back, i totally know what you mean - that practice is huge, its easy to get lost in the crowd i guess. When i worked there we definitely accepted new patients further along in their pregnancy. Worth a call!

Re: Moms who deliverd at StonyBrook or St. Charles...

Another Gus San Roman patient here and I have to agree with the other posters. I love him and Michelle. They are worth the 25 minute drive for me. Dr san roman himself was very much in support of me having as natural a birth as possible. I ended up needing a c section but that was because DS never descended and my water had broken over 24 hours prior to the section. The staff and St Charles was amazing as well and they allowed me to walk the floor to help move labor on.

Re: Moms who deliverd at StonyBrook or St. Charles...

Re: Moms who deliverd at StonyBrook or St. Charles...

another michelle mayer pt here too, i love her! actually my sister in law works there too.

Re: Moms who deliverd at StonyBrook or St. Charles...

I am hoping my experience was a fluke at St. Charles, but I was VERY unhappy with my birth experience there in 2007. But I do know people who have great experiences there, so hopefully mine was a fluke.

I didn't have a set "birth plan" but I had wanted to try to go natural for as long as I could (excluding the induction I needed). I was induced at 41 weeks. Checked in at 7:30pm and was put on Pitocin (didn't need Cervadil as I was naturally thinning). Literally within an hour of being there, as I was darting into the bathroom with my hand over my mouth to throw up in the toilet, the nurse asked if I "wanted something for the pain". I literally was nearly throwing up in my hands. I just kind of nodded/shrugged as I went into the bathroom.

When I came out of the bathroom, she did something to my IV...I had no clue, thought it was normal. Long story short (sort of), she gave me DEMEROL and it knocked me out. Literally knocked me out. I passed out until I would wake for a contraction....then I would pass back out. Then I would wake to push (for 2 hours) and would pass right back out.

I NEVER, ever consented to Demerol and would never. My DH was sitting there there entire time and listening closely. I never consented. I would never have taken something like that. It was my first time in labor and I had no clue what she was even referring too when she asked if I wanted "something for the pain"...I was thinking Tylenol or something. But regardless, I NEVER said yes...I was nearly throwing up in my hands. We never discussed it when I came out of the bathroom, she just put it in.

Not to mention, it didn't even help the pain AT ALL. No clue why she gave it to me (I hadn't even moaned or screamed from pain prior to that so it's like I made a scene or anything).

I have serious problems with that situation. But I suppose it could have happened anywhere.

My time with baby at St. Charles was fine, I liked that it was a nice, small, quiet hospital.

Three years later, I had a very successful (fast) natural birth at Stony Brook.

Re: Moms who deliverd at StonyBrook or St. Charles...

SB is a better bet if you're aiming for a natural birth. Hospital policy allows for you to eat light foods, have a lock instead of an IV, push however you want, have immediate skin to skin, and full-time rooming in (which is better for bonding and BFing).