Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

We're TTC and I know this information would help me & a number of other girls.

Could you please post what hospital you delivered at and what your experience was like.

How was your room?

How was the entire maternity ward?

Were you made to feel comfortable?

How were visiting hours handled?

Were you brought your baby right away?

Were the nurses helpful?

ETC.

Thanks so much.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I'll go first

I delivered at Southside. I had a scheduled c-section.

How was your room? I shared with another girl which was much better that I expected. Enough room. We shared a bathroom which wasnt bad either.

How was the entire maternity ward? GREAT. Really nice and clean.

Were you made to feel comfortable? Yes. Anytime I had a problem the nurses came right away.

How were visiting hours handled? DH was there from 8 am until 10 pm. Other visitors were allowed from 12-2 pm and then 6-8 pm. They had no limit on the amount of poeple that could come up.

Were you brought your baby right away? No, but I was SOOO out of it I wouldnt have been able to hold him or do anything anyway during the c-section. DH was with him right away though.

Were the nurses helpful? YES, they were fantastic.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

Could you please post what hospital you delivered at and what your experience was like.
North Shore in Manhasset.

How was your room?
Clean, fine... I didn't splurge the extra $300/night for a private but I was only there 2 nights and one night I was alone anyway.

How was the entire maternity ward?
The maternity ward is fine I guess, I really didn't leave my room much.

Were you made to feel comfortable?
Yes, very.

How were visiting hours handled?
I think they are fairly strict with their hours an only let a certain # of people in at a time but it wasn't an issue for me.

Were you brought your baby right away?
Yes.

Were the nurses helpful?
Yes, very.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I delivered vaginally at St Charles in Pt Jefferson in September. I think a lot of my ans had to do with a great labor and delivery too though! (a little less than four hours from checking in to giving birth and I never needed pain meds!) :)

How was your room? It was nice - it was a double yet I had a roommate only the firt day for four hours and my last day for four hrs!

How was the entire maternity ward? Very nice - they have a buffet breakfast in the morning that was the highlight of all the girl's days - and the best food you get - until your dh brings in other food for you - so we all ate up good in the am!

Were you made to feel comfortable? Very, they were attentive and always offering anything to help you feel comfy (in fact one of my nurses kept pushing the pain meds and didn't get I really felt great!)

How were visiting hours handled? Dads can visit from 10-10, grandparents and siblings (of the baby) can visit from 2-4 and all other visitors can come from 7-8 - the babies are out all day unless you send them to the nursery EXCEPT during general visiting hrs. A side note, my parents work and live in the city (mom is a teacher) so they didn't make visiting hrs for grandparents the 1st day - they only made it the next one b/c it was a weekend, otherwise they would have not had the chance to hold her until she came home!

Were you brought your baby right away? Yes, dh and I got to spend quite a bit of bonding time with her.

Were the nurses helpful?
Yes, except one but everyone else made up for it!

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I delivered two times. My first delivery was at Long Island Jewish and the overall experience was cramped, but fine (this was nine years ago). I delivered vaginally and after initially being checked by the house pediatrician the baby was with me the entire time (except for when I sent her to the nursery). My second delivery was at Winthrop; also a vaginal delivery but following an induction. I found the accommodations and staff at Winthrop to be much better than at LIJ. Again, the baby was sent to the nursery to be checked by the house pediatrician but was otherwise with me. Having said that I preferred Winthrop, however I really think that the only thing that matters is your comfort level with the group that is delivering you. If my original doctor had been more available I would never have switched groups and despite the fact that LIJ is less comfortable, I would have delivered there again. Another consideration for me was the availability of a nicu because if a problem arose with the baby I did not want there to be a delay in care nor for her to be in a different hospital.

Message edited 11/1/2006 7:17:11 PM.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I delivered at Southside hospital with a scheduled C-section.

How was your room? I ended up paying extra money for a private room, just because I didn't want a roomate. That's just me though. The room was very nice and big with my own bathroom. They were very good about keeping things clean in there too. A person came to clean every morning.

How was the entire maternity ward? Very nice. They just redid it not too long ago and it turned out great.

Were you made to feel comfortable? Yes, the staff was very friendly and I was checked on frequently to make sure I wasn't in pain, had enough water, blankets, pillows, etc.

How were visiting hours handled? DH could come 8 AM-10 PM. Other visitors could come from either 12PM-2PM or 6 PM-8 PM.

Were you brought your baby right away? I was SHOWN the baby right away, but I wasn't allowed to hold her until I wasn't so hopped up on pain meds. I had some difficulties with my C-section and was drugged up pretty badly.

Were the nurses helpful? Yes, extremely. Like I said before, all the staff was friendly and tried their best to make me comfortable.

On a side note, I never thought I'd enjoy hospital food so much. You're given a menu and you can call and make substitutions for your meals if you want and I actually thought the food was delicious. I could just be weird though...

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

Here you go!

Winthrop University Hospital

How was your room? Fine! Comfy room/bed

How was the entire maternity ward? Seemed fine to me! Don't really notice much b/c I was in bed a lot.

Were you made to feel comfortable? Completely, everyone was extremely nice. The nurses were all very sweet and caring, very genuine

How were visiting hours handled? Seemed to bend the rules, I had extended family come in during the day when it's only supposed to be grandparents and siblings.

Were you brought your baby right away? Yes, right after he was born, they allowed my in-laws to come in since they were waiting (only after I said they could so don't worry that they'd just let people in) and we got to all hold him for a while before they took him to the nursery.

Were the nurses helpful? YES, not one nurse I had wasn't helpful

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I delivered my son at Stony Brook almost 8 years ago. I delivered my daughter at South Nassau almost 5 years ago. Things may have changed since then, but here goes...


How was your room?Stony Brook, I loved it, South Nassau, I know they were redoing the maternity ward ay the time, but my room was just OK.

How was the entire maternity ward?I guess at both places it was nice, I was mostly in my room.

Were you made to feel comfortable?Yes, no complaints there.

How were visiting hours handled?Fathers could stay for most of the day at both hospitals, In the afternoon they had grandparent and sibling visiting, and then at night general visiting. At both hospitals the baby was in the room during general visiting, which now thinking back I did not like.

Were you brought your baby right away? My son, yes, before the cord was even cut, they handed him to me. With my daughter, no, I did not hold here for a few hours, which bothers me to this day. I also think this has to do with the doctors as well, with my son I used a midwife and loved the whole experience, with my daughter I used a doctor, and I was not nearly as impressed.

Were the nurses helpful? Yes

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

i delivered two kids at st. charles and one at stonybrook.
my rooom at st. charles was like a hotel room. from labor room to my private room on the floor. nice and spacious (and private, for 300 dollars extra) comfortable, you get to self medicate. you can either room in with the bbaby or not. it was a great bonding experience. the nurses werre great, the food was better than stonybrook, the visiting hours are listed above...
however, now being a NICU nurse i would never want to chance delivering at a hospital without a NICU just in case, so my last was at stonybrook. the nurses are great, the rooms are a bit small and you have to share a bathroom! the baby rooms in with you. the visiting hours are a little less strict than at st. charles. i would recommend both of them.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I delivered at NYU in Manhattan. I had a scheduled C-section at 9:00 am.Jordana was born at 9:31. I had a great expeirence. I had an amazing nurse, but she went off shift before my c-section. The next nurse I had was not as good, but she was OK. The one annoying thing about her was that I asked her tot alk to me during the epidural and she kept on prepping stuff. I had to ask her 3 times to come over to me and distract me during the epidural (which was totally fine).

How was your room? My room was fine. I asked for a bed by the window. I had to wait in the recovery room a little longer, but I got it.

How was the entire maternity ward? Great. I gave birth during Easter/Passover weekend and on Good Friday. The one thing that was bad was the lactation consultant never came to see me, even after I asked. But the nurses were very helpful. Frankly most lactation consultants have scared me, so that may not have been a bad thing. 6 1/2 months later and back to work 3 months and I am still nursing and pumping- so it all worked out.

Were you made to feel comfortable? Yes. Especially by the first nurse I met. I asked for an Attending anesthesiologist, which apparantly is very unusual. At first he didn't seem to happy about it, but in the OR, he was great! He kept me posted about what was going on and kept me very comfortable- (a/k/a well drugged).

How were visiting hours handled? People stayed as late as they wanted. I had 3 roommates (since I was there 5 days). Everyone left by the evenings, so every evening I was on my own.

Were you brought your baby right away? They gave me her as they wheeled me out of the OR. DH got her first. Then I held her in the recovery room for a while and then they took her away. They brought her back to me when I was in my room.

Were the nurses helpful? Mostly yes. There were some that I had to page a few times before the would come. But I had some GREAT nurses that really helped me with BF.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I delivered at Stony Brook in August. My overall experience was great. I was in labor for 19hours then had to have a C-section.

How was your room? I had my own room with a bathroom that I shared with another room. The room was big and comfortable.

How was the entire maternity ward? Great. My DD need an NICU and they have it right in the hospital.

Were you made to feel comfortable? Yes, the nurses were wonderful. They really helped me and my Dh. Even the delivery nurse was great and trust me I'm sure I was driving her nuts!!

How were visiting hours handled? I think they were 2-8 for everyone and the baby can be in the room if you want. It's up to you.

Were you brought your baby right away? No, because she had a fever. As soon as she was ok they brought her right in to me. I didn't even have to ask.

Were the nurses helpful? Yes, DH and I had zero baby experience and they really showed us a lot.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

long island jewish hospital
How was your room?i had a two person room, it was a little tiny. but i liked it. it did the job and i made friends with the woman next to me. infact we email eachother every month and shes coming to my dd's bday this month

Were you made to feel comfortable?i was made extremly comfortable. the nurses were very attentive and would come and sit with us and give us some tips and free diapers and a whole bunch of extras to take home. and most of all as soon as i needed pain killers they were right there.

How were visiting hours handled?
to be honest, i dont remember the visiting hours. but anyone that wanted to come visit me had no problem.
Were you brought your baby right away? i was brought the baby as soon as it was ok.

Were the nurses helpful.?. the nurses were fantastic. not one complaint.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I delivered, vaginally, at LIJ... Labored for 18 hours


How was your room?L/D room was great enjoyed watching TV and listening to music through the cotractions. There was a free phone that we used to keep everyone updated. The chairs for the coaches looked pretty uncomfortable but DH was able to get a couple hours sleep...

My Recovery room was on the 3rd floor it is was bigger than those on the 2nd, I think it was because TJ had to be taken to the NICU because I ran a fever during delivery... We had the option to rent movies. I didnt get a roommate till the night before I was leaving.

How was the entire maternity ward? The entire ward was GREAT... Every nurse I came in contact with was very personable and knew their jobs. Chad Pennington's (NY Jets) wife delivered in the room right next to me and I was never made to feel any less important than her... That was great to me.

Were you made to feel comfortable? I was VERY comfortable... As I said before I labored for 18 hours, not in pain but I couldnt sleep... I told DH to get some rest because he had just gotten off of a 24 hour shift and I would need him to be up later... My nurse came and sat with me to help me tale the edge off for 2 hours until I drifted to sleep...
How were visiting hours handled? Visiting hours for the fathers were 7am - 11pm. The coaches were given bands once I was admitted. They did not need passes. But others did... If I can remember only 2 visitors are allowed at a time.

Were you brought your baby right away? Since I ran I high fever, I was shaking, so right after he was born they tried to give him to me but I couldnt take him... They geve him to DH and my Mom... Once I calmed some I held him for about 10 minutes... Then they took him to the NICU for antibiotics.

Were the nurses helpful?
My nurses were WONDERFUL I can't say anything bad about them... I was a little annoyed by the monitors on my belly but that wasn't their fault..


I had a GREAT experience at LIJ... Since DS had to go the NICU I have to tell you that the nurses there are amazing as well. I was able to go down whenever I wanted and they handled him wonderfully.

It was a very re-assuring thing to have that unit there for me just in case! And sure enough they had to care for my son and the whol experience was great.

But I can tell you all of these things and your experience can be completely different than mine... It all depends how many woman are in labor at the same time...

HTH

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I don't know how helpful this will be since I delivered in Westchester, but here goes...

How was your room?
The private rooms were nice, but small and I knew we would have a lot of visitors, so we paid to have a suite. It came to $440 for 2 nights. It was $$ butwe felt it was worth it.

How was the entire maternity ward?
Very nice and everyone was accomodating

Were you made to feel comfortable?
The nurses all went out of their way to make sure I was ok.

How were visiting hours handled?
The hours were from 12-9pm. Noone was allowed in before 12, but they didn't kick anyone out at 9- though by that time you're reday for people to leave. Visiting hours didn't apply to DH, he was able to come and go as he pleased.

Were you brought your baby right away?
They took the baby to wash him up and then there was a slight mix up with my room. The suite wasn't ready so they put me in a regular room. As soon as I was in th suite they brought me the baby.

Were the nurses helpful?
The nurses were there if I needed them, but I tend to not ask for help an just do things on my own.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I delivered at Mercy Medical Center and my experience was not so good.

My room was the only good thing, it was a private room b/c i was an employee.

The maternity ward itself was pretty good, my issues were with Labor and Delivery and more specifically my Dr. and the L&D nurse.

I was made to feel comfortable AFTER I delivered by the maternity nurses.

Visiting hrs for me were all over the place. Since i worked there I had people coming into my room all day long and the nurses were getting a little ****** but the people had ID badges and just kept swiping themselves in. They tried to tell my MIL she had to leave and come back during grandparents visiting hrs but she refused, so did I, and they let her stay all day long.

Once i made it up to maternity they did give me the baby right away. But while still in L&D after giving birth they left me alone in the room for quite a while and I just layed there crying.

Again, the maternity nurses were very nice and helpful. L&D was horrific from start to finish and I have since filed many complaints with different department heads. I would never deliver there again and would advise anyone i knew against them also.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I delivered at Mercy Hospital.

I had really wanted South Nassau, but my dr was at Mercy when my water broke, in the end I didn't care.


How was your room?

Nice but small, I paid extra for a private room. It was very small, but I was happy to have no roomate.

How was the entire maternity ward?

Everyone was really nice. I loved my L&D nurse..she was amazing!

Were you made to feel comfortable?

Yes very comfortable, any time I called for someome, they came right away.

How were visiting hours handled?

regular hours were 6-8 and grandparents were 3-5. The fathers hours were 10-10, but they didn't care if my DH came earlier or stayed later.


Were you brought your baby right away?

When he was born, they layed him right on me for a few minutes, then they took him to clean him and stuff and gave him right back to me for about a half hour. Then they brought him upstairs to the nursery to do everything there.
I got brought upstairs a little while later and he was brought to me about an hour later.

Were the nurses helpful?
Yes very!! They were very willing to help with anything I asked.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I delivered vaginally at Good Sam.

How was your room? I knew a nurse so I got a private room for free. It was kind of tight with visitors but it was nice to have privacy.

How was the entire maternity ward?
I loved the 6th floor L&D nurses. I visiited there several times for dehydration and they were always wonderful.

After delivery I was brought to the 5th floor where I stayed for 2 nights and I wasn't crazy about my nurses. I asked for BF-ing help and they nurse was like didn't you read anything on it?

Were you made to feel comfortable?
On the 6th floor yes.
I wasn't crazy about the 5th floor.


How were visiting hours handled?
1 1/2 in the am and pm
But my parents came other times and no one cared.

Were you brought your baby right away? I held her right away in the L&D room. I got her for good 4 hrs later.

Were the nurses helpful?
As mentioned I love my L&D nurse(s). I wasn't crazy about the 5th floor.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

Hospital: NSUH @ Manhasset

How was your room? I shared a room and the woman I shared with was respectful and clean, as was I. It was not the nightmare I thought it would be.

How was your room? It was a standard double room. It was big.

How was the entire maternity ward?Not sure what you mean, but I felt safe there.

Were you made to feel comfortable? YES. I had a c-section and everyone was helpful and when I asked for drugs I got them right away or within 10 minutes of asking for them.

How were visiting hours handled? DH could stay as late as he wanted. Everyone else stayed about a half hour past visiting hours

Were you brought your baby right away? YES. I told them I wanted her to be fed on demand and the brought her to me every time.

Were the nurses helpful? YES. They were helpful with everything including BF'ing.

HTH. Good Luck!

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

Posted by MrsSchwags

I delivered vaginally at Good Sam.

How was your room? I knew a nurse so I got a private room for free. It was kind of tight with visitors but it was nice to have privacy.

How was the entire maternity ward?
I loved the 6th floor L&D nurses. I visiited there several times for dehydration and they were always wonderful.

After delivery I was brought to the 5th floor where I stayed for 2 nights and I wasn't crazy about my nurses. I asked for BF-ing help and they nurse was like didn't you read anything on it?

Were you made to feel comfortable?
On the 6th floor yes.
I wasn't crazy about the 5th floor.


How were visiting hours handled?
1 1/2 in the am and pm
But my parents came other times and no one cared.

Were you brought your baby right away? I held her right away in the L&D room. I got her for good 4 hrs later.

Were the nurses helpful?
As mentioned I love my L&D nurse(s). I wasn't crazy about the 5th floor.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I had a vaginal delivery at LIJ.

How was your room? Okay. It was clean which was most important to me. When I went in I requested a private room but by the time I delivered (it was a full moon) the whole ward was packed and I wasn't even able to get a 2 person room. So I ended up with a 4 person room but really wasn't bad at all. Like I said it was clean and it was only me and one other mom the first night.

How was the entire maternity ward? Fine.

Were you made to feel comfortable? Yes, the only thing was that they weren't always punctual with the pain meds.

How were visiting hours handled? I don't remember the exact visiting hours but they were fine. DH was able to come earlier than anyone else and leave later than anyone else.

Were you brought your baby right away? My son was born at 559pm, I was with him for about one hour right after giving birth and then they brought him to me at I think 1130pm. What was great is that they let our family come up to meet our son right after I gave birth in the labor and delivery room. That was such an awesome experience.

Were the nurses helpful? YES very. The only issue was the pain meds. The overnight nurse wasn't as great as the day nurse with timing. But other than that they were awesome.

Was DH allowed to stay with you? He would have if I would've gotten a private room. But like I said above, they were full and didn't have one available for me. However, I still would have wanted DH to go home. I was so out of it after giving birth, exhausted, sore, etc that I just wanted to rest. DH was also exhausted and wanted him to get rest so he would be rested by the time me and our son came home.

Message edited 11/2/2006 11:22:06 PM.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

I had one v-birth and 2 c/s at Winthrop

How was your room? First time I had a corner room and it had lots of space. The second time the maternity ward was so full, they put me in the antipartum wing and I had the entire room to myself till the night before I left. 3rd time my room was kind of cramped but I had a very nice roommate.

How was the entire maternity ward? Fine. I knew the place pretty well by the 3rd visit.

Were you made to feel comfortable?
Yes, pretty much everyone was really nice. There was one nurse in particular who was so nice, she was there all 3 times I was there and she really brightened my day in some way each time.

How were visiting hours handled?
Dads from 10am to 10pm, gparents & sibs from 2-4pm, and general visiting hours from 6-8 I think. During general visiting hours the babies had to be back in the nursery otherwise you had the baby with you. The only thing that ****** me off is that they wouldnt release the babies from the nursery till all the visitors were gone (other than Dads) and some people can really be so rude - not leaving even though they were asked a few times. I guess thats not the hospital's fault though.

Were you brought your baby right away? Yes. With my DD (c/s #1) for some reason, they didnt bring her to me and said she had to get cleaned up and I'd get her in 2 hours. I think now that the person who was doing it wanted to do it then and there due to her own agenda and I could have had her. I knew better with DS#2 and he was with my for awhile. With DS #1, he was a vbirth and I had him right away.

Were the nurses helpful? Yes, really nice.

Was DH allowed to stay with you? From 10-10, which was fine, esp with #2 and #3 since he had to go get the other kids from whoever was minding them.


HTH

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

(another Winthrop experience)

How was your room?
It was fine. I delivered (vaginally) late at night (1am). The maternity ward was packed that night so I stayed in L&D until the next morning. Waiting for a room was a bit annoying, but the L&D showers were better than the ones in maternity anyway (lots of jets). I had a shared room, but I barely saw my roommate, since the curtain was always pulled.

How was the entire maternity ward?
No complaints

Were you made to feel comfortable?
as comfortable as I could be after giving birth

How were visiting hours handled?
Its supposed to be only the baby's siblings & grandparents in the afternoon when the baby was in the room, but they weren't strict with that. My sisters came in and no one asked questions or complained of too many people in the room.

Were you brought your baby right away?
Immediately. After they checked her, she was wrapped up and brought to me. They also brought in all my family that was waiting in the waiting room. When they took her upstairs to get cleaned up, etc., Al was allowed to go with her.

Were the nurses helpful?
Yes, they were helpful whenever I needed anything. They were also supportive of my breastfeeding and brought her to me for each feeding.

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

bumpin for more

Re: Please HELP.....Hospital Experience

for new mommies

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