Doctor or hospital

I am crashing from other boards to ask the BTDT moms what is more important. A little over a year ago (before TTC) I switched practices because the only doctor I liked left my last practice. I have seen four people in the new practice and I totally love them. Now that I am TTC I have been looking at the hospital they deliver at and I am not sure I want to have my baby there (I am completely day dreaming here because I am not pregnant....yet). I just switched doctors so I really don't know if I want to switch again, but I am really not sure if I like the policies at St. Catherines. Anyone have experience there? And what do you think is more important, the new doctor that I like or the hospital?

ETA: What I am not liking about the hospital is their lack of option for rooming-in after the baby is born and there doesn't seem to be any chance that DH can stay over night because the rooms are quads. I think these things will be important to us and to not even have the possibility is hard.

Message edited 1/10/2012 10:30:50 PM.

Re: Doctor or hospital

Loving your OB is def #1. But the hospital can be important too. Esp if you A) Need a c-section and are there 4-5 days and or B) The baby needs a NICU. Lousy visiting polices almost deterred me from Good Sam but I was concerned about needing a good NICU. Turns out they were much more liberal IRL with the visiting and it worked out well for me.

Re: Doctor or hospital

I don't have any experience with St. Catherines, but I would choose a doctor over a hospital. You're (hopefully!) only going to be in the hospital for a few days. You're going to see your doctor A LOT over the course of 9 months. He/she will be the one to answer your questions, quell your fears, go over a birth plan and ultimately deliver your baby. Even if you heard wonderful things about the hospital you could still end up w/a random bad experience. At least you will know for sure going in that you love your doctor.

HTH!

Re: Doctor or hospital

I would pick a dr over the hospital. Honestly I delivered at good Sam and DH ccould not stay over and it was better. He went home and got much needed sleep and was able to be there and alert for me all day. The staff was there if I needed anything during the night.

Re: Doctor or hospital

Def Doctor. Only thing that would be potentially important about the hospital is the availability of the NICU.

I got lucky & had a private room... but I would not want sleepovers if I had to share a room.

Re: Doctor or hospital

I don't think you have to settle for less than you're comfortable with on either account. They are both critical. Giving birth and the process leading up to it are life changing events. It's possible to find both a practitioner and hospital that are in sync with your values, your expectations and your desires. For me, it was a high level NICU and trauma center that was important in selecting a hospital, as well as, rooming in options. I could never leave my newborn alone in a nursery in a cold plastic box after he spent almost 10 months being so close to me. I also couldn't deal with a care provider that didn't share my values and philosophies on birth. Both things needed to feel "right" in order for me to labor efficiently and safely. Best of Luck in your TTCing....and if you find yourself pregnant and wishing you selected a different doc or hospital....just change. It's really common to switch mid way through.