XP: Moms who had c-sections at Methodist

Houstonmom

Did the anesthesiologist leave your epidural/spinal block in for a day or two after the surgery?

I remember that I had a "walking spinal" or something like that and I asked my dr. a/b it the other day--b/c I want to have the same thing this time--and he said the anesthesiologist injects a long acting pain killer into the spinal, but I wonder if that's the same thing I had last time? What did you have?

I had a FANTASTIC c-section experience and recovery with Methodist so I want to make sure I ask for the same things I had last time. In fact, if I could figure out the anesthesiologist's name I'd request him again, he rocked.

Also, do you remember how much your hospital bill was--not the ob/gyn's bill--but the room, board, post-op hospital care?

We have the high deductible so we pay $6500 a year out of pocket and my ob/gyn's bill is ~$3,000 and I'm wondering if we'll meet the deductible with the hospital bill.

I'll call next week for an estimate but was just wondering if anyone here remembered their hospital bill.

charlotteL

I didn't have my c-section at Methodist but the bill was around 20K. The doc was separate and around 3K.

Houstonmom

Ha! So according to that figure we'll meet our deductible

Thanks!

michellebelle

If you aren't using ANY meds delivering vaginally I think a birth is around $10k.  At least it was for a friend who delivered at Memorial Hermann Memorial City - almost 10 years ago!

You can call medical records to find out the anesthesiologist's name who worked on you the last time.  You could always request him/her for surgery.

I like Dr. Bailey through Greater Houston Anesthesiologists and last I checked he still provided services at Methodist among other locations, if that is where you are delivering again.  He was amazing.  (But I didn't have a C).

Suzi-G-

I had a c-section at St. Lukes/Tx Children's two years ago and my anesthesiologist left the epidural in for about 24 hours after.  He came back to my room the morning after I delivered and gave me a long-lasting shot of some pain killer in the epidural.  I really experienced very little pain and only took a few advil.  I've told all my friends that if it's an option have the epidural left in so you can get that extra pain-killer, but they've all looked at me like I was crazy and said nothing like that was offered to them.  And at least a few of those delivered at the same hospital, so I think it depends on the Dr.  If I have another c-section next time around, I'm definitely asking for it though!

Sorry, I can't help on the bill, I have no idea what it all cost.  I have an HMO, we paid about $250 total.  I do know we got a bill for about ~$4000-5000 from the anesthesiologist because he was "out of network" but the insurance company covered it.  

Houstonmom

michelle--I will definitely take your advice and call medical records to find out the name of the anesthesiologist on my last c-section. He was WONDERFUL. Aside from being a good doctor he had a great bedside manner. I was nervous going in and I was alone with all of the doctors in the OR before DH was allowed in and the anesthesiologist pulled out all the stops to make me comfortable and relaxed (talked about Grey's Anatomy).

Suzi--YES! That was my experience too. I had so little pain while I was recovering, it was like a miracle. Every c-section mama should have such great pain management. Honestly, I had more pain the first few months of breastfeeding than I did with the c-section recovery. My first c-section was a different story--UGH!

E&RMommy

As a someone who worked in L&D, even I did not get the anesthesiologist I wanted.  So unless you have better strings to pull than I did, you're going to get luck of the draw.  Luckily, almost all of their OB anesthesia is great.

Red_Dahlia

E&RMommy:

As a someone who worked in L&D, even I did not get the anesthesiologist I wanted.  So unless you have better strings to pull than I did, you're going to get luck of the draw.  Luckily, almost all of their OB anesthesia is great.

I didn't have a c-section, my anesthesiologist was awesome. Don't remember her name, but she seriously had the best beside manner of anyone I interacted with at Methodist. I was absolutely terrified of getting an epi, but wanted one (at 7cm I thought I was going to die!!!) and she was sooo calming and sweet and supportive. Hope that you are able to get the one you want, but if not, I wanted to give you encouragement that there are other awesome ones too!  

Houstonmom

Red_Dahlia:

E&RMommy:

unless you have better strings to pull than I did, you're going to get luck of the draw.  Luckily, almost all of their OB anesthesia is great.

No good strings to pull here. I'll admit I don't fully understand how the whole separation and union of doctors and hospitals works so this is an education

Hope that you are able to get the one you want, but if not, I wanted to give you encouragement that there are other awesome ones too!  

Thanks so much! Glad to hear that

kat.in.the.hat

With my emergency c/s with Marion, I had an epi put in during labor.  That was left in for a long time it felt like afterwards.  With my planned c/s with Eliza, was I was sitting in a chair four hours after she was born, walking and moving around.  Both times, I had minimal pain, but I much preferred moving around sooner.