Differences in hospitals – choose wisely

There are so many moms that pick their birth location because of convenience.  This hospital is closest to us.    Or it is where their primary care physician is a member of.  When I suggest a different hospital, they feel it is inconvenient.

It is hard for me to really express how different hospitals can be with their birthing “rules”  There are 4 hospitals near me.  I would only suggest 1 of them.  2 are ok and 1 I would never go to.

Here is a blog by a L&D nurse who was caring for another L&D nurse from a neighboring hospital and you can really see the difference between the hospitals and their “rules”

A good point was brought up by Karen in her post looking at her hospital birth and following the rules.   She realized that they don’t know HOW to support an un-medicated mom.  This is why it is so important to choose your birth location wisely.  If you are planning an un-medicated birth in a hospital a doula may be your best investment.

Edited to add another post from a nurse supporting this topic.

ASK your hospital questions about their routines.  Go on the hospital tour, or call the L&D floor.  Be wary if your OB says that is up to the hospital and the hospital says that is up to your OB.  If they don’t know that would throw up some red flags for me.

I always suggest to moms to ask their local doulas for hospital and care provider recommendations.  They see what happens and have a good idea of where the best hospitals to birth at are.