Where to deliver a baby?...

[a_c_danica]

Ok, so I don't post here that often, but I read what you gals have to say a lot and I trust you so here is my delema... I have to make a decision and quick about what insurance company to go with through my husband's work and the deciding factor is what hospital is the best for Labor and delivery (aka...haveing a baby) I'm not pregnant right now, but would like to be pretty soon so I would like to know from all of you that live in Salt Lake Valley what kind of experiances you have had, good or bad, at any of the hospitals her in the Valley(I live pretty much 20 min from anywhere in Salt Lake Valley so info on any of the hospitals or doctors would be awesome.) I have had the same OB/GYN for 10 years now, but I moved here and need a new one and a new hospital. I know this is a random question, and I don't mean to leave anyone out that doesn't live here in Utah... but please help!
THANKS!
Alex
PS If you have any comments about the food that would be awesome, I know that it seems unimportant, but after I have a baby I just can't eat enough and if the food is nasty, that could make or brake the deal:)

[April]

Hummm.... I would base my decision on insurance based on the doctor or midwife I found. To me any hospital is fine as long as I like my doctor. I'm also probably not very picky when it comes to this. Things like this don't really bother me. I didn't really notice the food because I was just excited not to have to cook or figure it out on my own.

I delivered at St. Marks and SL Regional. I have Blue Cross Insurance. I liked St. Marks over SL Regional because it was newer. The delivery room at St. Marks and SL Regional were both great sizes. Our room for the next couple days was pretty small but nice at St. Lake Regional and the one at St. Marks was a good size but kind of sterile looking.

Cottonwood Hospital's rooms are tiny but nice... I don't know about the delivery rooms there.

LDS will probably be awesome. Bran spankin new!

Alta Views rooms are nice. Small but nice.

Good luck! I hope someone else gives you better help.

[jessie]

Just have your baby at home ;)

[Jenny McDonald]

Ok, here is my two cents. I delivered at Cottonwood. Everyone was telling me how great Cottonwood was, I was excited to deliver there. I got there and wasn't really impressed. The delivery room was really nice. It had a home atmosphere to it and it was also big too. The delivery nurses were really nice and helpful. Then they move you to the actual room which is little, no room for a pull out bed. My husband had to sleep in a really uncomfortable chair. The food rocked! It was the best hospital food I've ever had I actually finished all of it. The nurses there were ok. They told me the first day that the lactation specialist would be in to help me learn how to nurse, she never showed up until two hours before I left three days later! She then started to "help" me learn how to nurse. Needless to say she traumatized my baby so she wouldn't breastfeed. (Graphic details, will not bore you.) But it sounds like you have kids so that isn't a big deal for you. I will not deliver there again.
My sister-in-law delivered at St. Marks and LOVED it. She said the food was good, and the nurses were awesome. The lactation nurse came in two hours after she had the baby and help her learn how to nurse. The rooms are big, and inviting. You can actually fit five guests and chairs in comfortably. They have a chair that can pull out to be a bed for your husband. I personally will be going there for my next delivery.
Doctors, I love my OB/GYN. He is out of Old Farm and his name is James Roth. He rocks! He tells you how it is and doesn't beat around the bush. He only delivers at Cottonwood and St. Marks though.
Sorry this is so long. Hopefully it makes sense too, if it doesn't lets blame it on the fact that I'm writing it at 2:38 AM!!!

[Jamie Hamblin]

Well I don't live in the area, but my OB/GYN (who I LOVE) has pledged that the LDS Hospital is the best. I delivered at McKay Dee in Ogden and it was like staying at the Hilton, minus the labor pains...LOL. The thing that she told me that caught my attention about LDS is that... if anything is wrong with your baby (Like my son) you have the best doctors in the state in the Hospital. No need to transport (Again like my son) because they are already there. My cousin delivered at St. Marks and Loved it there too though.

[caulensmom]

I delivered at St. Marks but had my midwife up in park city and she way AMAZING!! She was there for the deliverey and many many hours before my delivery. But, I cant really say I had a kick ass delivery...but St. Marks was VERY accomidating and caring...every nurse on every shift was so nice and completly informed about my situation. I felt at home there the four days I stayed. Hope this helps you out.
I am not fond of Intermountain health care as they seem to have no idea what they are doing and did not do the proper care for my chid and I . They have too many inexperienced nurses running around with their heads cut off. But again this is just my opinion.
Oh, and the food at st marks was icky, except the dinner rolls. But the cafeteria is awesome and I made my hubby run to einsteins bagels everyday to get breakfast and lunch!! Good luck!

[a_c_danica]

Thanks for all of your comments, they helped A LOT! I still have a few more days to decide (until the 20th) so if anyone else has anything to say please do... but everything already hear is great info!!!!
Alex

[Jill]

Cottonwood will be closed down as of October 24th (or something like that.) THe new hospital called IMC is opening up and they will do all the babies that Cottonwood did. I get to have my baby there in December and I am kinda excited. I heard that it is fabulous, I can let you know more in December.
I had my other two at LDS. They are downsizing, but still delivering babies there. The food was pretty good there, Cottonwood was not so hot. I like LDS, but it is older and the rooms are small and noisy.
As for Docs, I am going with a midwife whom I LOVE! She lets you do what you want as far as natural or not, I am NOT a natural girl. She spends so much more time with you and actually seems to care about you. Sometimes it seems like doctors get so busy they forget your a human.
Hope this helps maybe a little.

[Quinn]

I loved both my delivery experiences at st. Marks hospital! Our insurance prefers everyone but IHC and we've had really good doctors without waiting periods to see them. Lots of the IHC OB/GYNs my friends have waiting periods to get in. Luckily there are lots of great OB/GYNs here in SLC.