What hospital to deliver at.....

Jen&Jeff06

We had a tour at MoBap this evening, and I was pleased with it overall.  Jeff was complaining that the post partum room was too small (but we really have nothing to compare it to).  Evidently this is bothering him so much that he wants to look at other hospitals.

Can anyone give me their experiences with MoBap, St Luke, or St Johns?

TIA

amy.matt

I delivered at St. John's.  We were completely happy and the room were rather large.  I like the idea that the NICU was on site, just in case.  All the staff was wonderful and we know many many friends and family members that have had their babies there, as well.  It's known as the "baby factory", but i'd rather go somewhere that has seen it all and knows how to do it! LOL. i have no complaints... I'd at least go take the tour.  I was actually in one of the older rooms because they were so busy, so i didn't have all the nice furniture, etc, but the older rooms were larger.  My sis was in a newer room which was a little smaller, but had nicer furniture.  i really didn't care either way, we were there for 4 days (csection) so i just wanted me and my dh to be comfortable.

GL!

DG1

I haven't done tours yet or anything, but I've always just assumed I would deliver at St. John's.  They've seen it all, so I know they'll be prepared for whatever comes up during our delivery. 

I do have a friend who delivered at St. John's. We visited her in her postpartum room, and there was plenty of room for me, 2 friends, her, her husband, her 3-year-old, and the baby.  It would have felt crowded if we stayed too long, but for the hour we visited, I didn't feel like we were tripping over one another or anything.

TDD_15

We've only toured St. John's, but the rooms seemed small there.  We are touring St. Luke's on March 25.  If you go on their website, you can sign up for tours.  I believe they have a 6pm and 8pm tour on the 25th.

llamakins

I've heard great things about all three hospitals you mentioned. We also toured MoBap, but the room size didn't bother me. I have heard glowing reviews about MoBap from two friends who've delivered recently and even heard a new mommy on her way out thanking the nurse for such a wonderful experience. That's what made the difference for me. I was told that the nurses were so kind and were always teaching you whenever they came in the room. (Perfect for a new mommy!) We're also going to prepare for natural childbirth, and MoBap has a reputation for being very supportive of mom's choices. I've also heard that St.Luke's is great for natural, as well.

I'm just sharing my very limited experience. I think it's a great idea for you to visit the other hospitals.

Angelina1003

i delivered at mo bap and loved it. the room size was fine. it was not a luxury suite by any means, but it helped people know when it was time to leave. it's nice to have visitors, but it's just as nice to have you and your baby and your husband to be able to bond. especially if you plan to breastfeed. i did not want it to be a spectator sport. i had at least 6-8 people in my room no problem. My friend delivered at mo bap too and her room was bigger than mine. it was huge. good luck on your decision

stlhrnmd

We went to St Lukes and I really liked it there.  We also toured MoBap and I thought it was a bit "big".  St Lukes was smaller and more intimate IMO.  The room was a good size though.  I don't remember it being any bigger/smaller than MoBap.  At one point we had 6 adults, 2 kids and the baby in the room and we were fine.

Sarah17

I delivered at St. Lukes and had an amazing experience and plan on delivering there again later this year. I was in the same room for the labor, delivery, and recovery (my entire stay) and it was plenty big. One night, we had 17 people in the room and still enough room to walk around (yes, I know 17 people is a lot, but it was our parents, siblings and their families, and a couple friends, it was great!). The nurse came in to check my vitals, and she was like "I'll come back in a little while!" Everyone there was extrememly nice, friendly, and knowledgable.

KelliMarie

I just delivered our son, Parker, almost 2 months ago at MoBap. I had a wonderful experience. The nurses were so supportive and kind. I loved the fact that Parker stayed in the room with me and my husband after he was born, he got his bath all tests...everything with just us. As a first time mom I felt very relieved that Parker was with us and I could see what was going on. Parker had some difficulties breathing and he was in the Special Needs Nursery (NICU) and had to stay an extra day, the nurses in there were truly amazing. I was a wreck, crying my eyes out and they couldn't have been more understanding and supportive. Each nurse only has 2 babies to take care of and Parker's nurse would fill me in on every single detail if I left the nursery for a while.

I agree the post partum rooms are small, to be honest, I really liked that fact. Only a small number of people can be in the room so you are not overwhelmed. It was great for "crowd control" at the hospital... and considering Parker was in the Special Needs Nursery I was less interested in having a room full of guests when my baby was not with me.

The food was quite good and my nurses were very caring also. It was so quite on the floor... not hearing other patients in their rooms was very nice.

Ultimately, go with your gut and what you feel best with!

GL!

becca2082

We also loved MoBap! The room was not huge, but, as pp said, good crowd control. I don't know that you'll be too worried about how big the rooms are once you have the baby, anyway! It will seem like a blur. (Hopefully!!)

glassslipper68

St. John's has bigger pp rooms than mobap's on the average.   I worked at mobap and delivered Liam there.  Will go to St. John's next time I think.  I did have a huge  pp room (not all are as small as the one they showed you-they're all different sizes) but I had one nurse that I never would want to have for the next time plus I am hoping the lactation specialist is better there.   Gl in your choice.

STLOctoberBride

I had a great experience at St.Lukes.  Our room was nice, nurses were great, etc.

Does your dr. deliver at all the hospitals your interested in?

Temp6313048411121614

We toured MoBap and I was dead set on delivering there until we went to St. Joes and I LOVED it.  I know it's weird to say that you can fall in love with a mat ward, but I did.  It was so much quieter and peaceful.  MoBap seemed too much like a company that wants you to have your baby and move on (and too crowded).  St. Joes (in Kirkwood) is a lot slower and I feel like I got a lot of personal attention.  I also liked the fact that all of their rooms were LDRP's (LDR plus the post-partum).  I'm so glad I decided to give St. Joe's a chance and check them out (I went into labor later that week).  My doc (Dr. McDonald) is on staff on Wednesdays and I couldn't say enough good things about him (DH was totally against me having  a male OB but even he likes him). 

Vosswife2005

I have no personal experience at either because i delivered my daughter at Barnes in 2001.  But my sister just had her baby at MoBapt earlier this month.  They liked it.  The pp rooms are small but I agree kind of nice for crowd control.  The staff was awesome.  The only thing that was kind of concerning but i know they try their best to accomodate all moms. My sister was first time mother and had her nurse, then they doubled her up several hours later.....it just so happened that the 2nd mom was 3rd time mom, long story short they went into labor at the same time.  my sister's nurse stayed with 3rd time mom and my sister got whoever was available and there seemed to be some miscommunication there as far as who called the dr and when.  again i am sure they tried their best.  April 2 was a busy day.......i think everyone waited until after midnight to avoid april fools day!