Questions!

My first 2 questions:

1) where did you deliver your babies? How long were they in the NICU? We planned on delivering at South Nassau, but I'm wondering if I should go somewhere with a better NICU.
2) will I have to see a high risk obgyn because I am having twins? I actually delivered DS at 30 weeks so I won't mind seeing a high risk if that is the "norm".


Thanks ladies!!

Questions!

1. I delivered at Winthrop and thankfully we never had any visits to the NICU! That being said, for whatever reason it never even crossed my mind to look for a hospital with a better NICU though if that is a major concern i'd check with your OB.

2. I didn't have to go the high risk route, but I was monitored more regularly than I would have been normally as I had a small bleeding issue (sch) in the beginning and because there were two in there :)

Re: Questions!

I'm in Suffolk County, so I went to Stony Brook. My first child need extra NICU care and was transferred to LIJ (schneiders back then, Cohens now).

Just wanted to say that my twins did not need any NICU time. In and out in 3 days...every delivery is different, and I pray you have a great experience this time

Questions!

Thank you both!!

Re: Questions!

I went to south side when baby a's water broke at 30w. They took my to north shore where I delivered them. Then baby b was taken to lij for surgery 12 hrs later. Both nicus were outstanding.

Re: Questions!

LIJ
I was only comfortable using the NICU at LIJ, NSUH or Winthrop

The kids didnt end up going to the NICU!

There was a lot of talk about whether I was high risk or not. We ultimately decided I was not. I was monitored by my OB closely and we caught the pre=e early enough and I delivered at 37w, 3days. I was very fortunate!
However if you have a blood disorder or possibly based on risk factors for why you delivered early last time, they may decided to keep you as high risk. You probably could push for it.
good luck!

Re: Questions!

1) I delivered at Winthrop. I made it until 38 weeks, so the babies didn't have to be in the NICU.

2) No, but my OB monitored me way more than he did with my first DS. I had growth sonos and cervix checks every 2 weeks after 20 weeks and then NST from 35 weeks until I delivered. The first half of your pregnancy will be handled the same as a singleton and then you get more monitoring during the second half.

Re: Questions!

I delivered at Katz (LIJ New Hyde Park). The girls were in the NICU at Cohens-which is the neighboring children's hospital and they were unbelievable!! BAby A was there for 1 week, Baby B for 2 weeks.
the hospital ensured me a private room so I was on board! I delivered at 35weeks after PTL at 33

I didn't need a high risk all the time, but saw one after 26 weeks I think twice. I think you should talk to your OB about it and do what you are comfortable with.

Re: Questions!

LIJ

no nicu here

saw high risk but for tons more reason than twins

Re: Questions!

i delivered at LIJ, no NICU for either babies and i saw the specialists (MFM at LIJ) for extra sonos twice a month for about half of my pregnancy.

Re: Questions!

Just based on my own experience I say make sure you go somewhere with a good NICU. You just never know. My twins were born at 27wk5d -- DD spent 2.5 months in the NICU -- DS was in the hospital for 8 mths before coming home.

I did see a high risk doctor throughout my pregnancy just based on it being twins -- no other risk factors prior to going into pre-term labor and being on hospital bedrest at 24 weeks.



edited to add: I just wanted to say that I hope I don't scare you by sharing my experience. Just like people to plan for the "what ifs" because I don't want anyone to be blindsided like I was. I never thought my twins would be born so early and am so thankful they were at a hospital with a good NICU (they were born in NYC).

Message edited 10/18/2013 4:35:03 PM.

Questions!

Thank you all for sharing both your stories! DH and I need to discuss and see what we feel most comfortable with.

Re: Questions!

Delivered at Stony Brook. Girls spent 6 days in NICU. I also spent 6 days in the hospital- 1 before they were born and 5 after. I came home 1 day before them. They were born at 35w4d because I was pre-eclamptic and was having trouble breathing.

I saw high risk doctors from 13 weeks on. My insurance didn't care who I saw so i chose to see maternal fetal medicine doctors. While I was not high risk, I REALLY appreciated being treated as if I were. ie- more sonograms, more facetime with Drs., etc.

Questions!

The NICU, staff, and experience at North Shore Manhasset were the best. South Nassau doesn't even come close, and the transfer could be traumatic if God forbid you had to transfer.
While my babies were in the NICU for less than 22 hours, I still felt better in a place that had that level of care.
I live across the Street from South Nassau! NSLIJ or LIJ for sure.

Questions!

I delivered at Good Sam at 34w4d due to severe pre-eclampsia. Baby A was in NICU for 10 days and B for 15 days. NICU staff was amazing. I was with a high risk, but I originally had triplets (one miscarried at 8 weeks) and I have clotting issues.

Re: Questions!

Originally I was going to have my boys at South side. I was seeing my regular OB with a high risk Dr every so often, but my regular ob was my primary ob. After my 20 week sono and they did a few more to confirm that there was a heart issue with one of my sons, I had to switch ob's to a hospital where there was a pediatric cardiologist on staff at all times. So at 27 weeks I had to switch to a Dr at LIJ and would see that Dr and a new High Risk OB. My boys were born at 35 weeks, Baby A with the heart issue, was in the NICU for one week and Baby B who was IUGR and basically a 30 weeker born at 35 weeks, was in the NICU for a month.

Questions!

Thank you all. We decided we are going to find a doctor that delivers at LIJ. I feel so guilty leaving my OB, but I will go back to her after I deliver.

Re: Questions!

I was so upset to have to leave my ob, but I really liked the new ob he recommended and was totally okay with it after. At least now you will have some time to find someone. Good Luck!

Questions!

Let us know how it goes! leaving your OB might be a tricky thing now, but once the babies are here you won't be sorry!