Have you thought about a licensed doula? Then you'll be sure to have a trained professional you know with you, regardless.

I have interviewed some doulas and do plan on hiring one once I am in the safe zone! I just wanted to set up an appt with an OB office soon before the doctors book out!

I used Dartmouth Hitchcock prior to pregnancy, they use Southern. Before that, my old OB was from St. Joseph’s, but retired.

I thought snh did a great job when I was there almost 4 years ago. My wife's ob was there at one point. I can't see making the ob stay the entire time waiting for you to deliver the baby.

May I ask which OB she used?

I wasn’t sure if one hospital was more handholding versus the other. All of my friends who have given birth are either in MA or northern NH. I have tried getting information from the hospitals directly, but all of the nurses that I have spoken with say that both hospitals are about equal.

What if it's a 72 hour labor? The ob just isn't going to hang around the hospital for a few days... just in case. Lol

She uses Foundation right next to snh. I think they moved up into Amherst now or at least her doctor did. Mostly everyone I know has used snh. I've never been the biggest fan of st Joe's just from the care my stepdad has gotten going there.

I gave birth at SNH and although I didn’t get my Ob, I never even saw the on call dr. The nurses and midwife delivered and everything was great. I really loved the resident, I can’t recall her name through. Everyone I had really listened to my wants and needs for the delivery and I didn’t just feel like a number there.

Years ago, SNHMC delivered far more than SJ. I suspect this is for good reason.

So usually in those cases, the midwives have back ups after 12 hours. Reference: my friend gave birth in Canada and this is what they do.

That is good to know! One upside is that St. Joseph’s also uses patient-controlled nitrous oxide, and Southern does not (just IVs and the epidural). Do you feel like the pain medication that they gave you was enough?

I did not know this, but it makes sense since Southern is a bigger hospital and is affiliated with Mass General!!

We had both of our kids at St. Josephs. We used a OB/GYN practice across the street or near across the street. One of the deliveries was quite problematic but they got the job done. I have gone to St. Josephs for a number of procedures myself and everything went smoothly. I prefer St. Josephs as you don't have to deal with parking - shouldn't be a big concern but it is if you need to visit frequently.

If I expected a problem, I'd go to Brigham and Womens.

I’m sorry to hear about your dad. I know where you are talking about! 🤗 That’s where I go!

I meant to add, every doula I interviewed that knew about the two hospitals LOVED St. Joseph’s and thought that they had a more personal touch than Southern. I thought that was interesting.

I just wish it was easier to find ratio of patient per doctor/nurse/anesthesiologist. That would make the decision easier.

That is true! Parking at Southern is annoying and I don’t want to walk too much in active labour haha! During both deliveries, did you feel like the nurses and doctors were listening to your concerns and didn’t try to push for things outside of the birth plan? I am very concerned having access to pain management in my birthing plan and want to avoid inductions if I can.

I was actually born at BW because I was a premie in the early 90s!

I didn't see the doctors that much but my wife was happy with the deliveries.

I do! I was induced for various reasons and the most painful part of that for me, was the Foley catheter during the induction and they were great with giving me what I needed for pain management with that. Once my water broke and I was officially in labor, I was able to ask for my epidural pretty quickly and gave birth within 4 hours. I declined any pain medication after the factor so I can’t speak to that. I will say, SNH is a teaching hospital and has nursing students in/out so if you’re not comfortable with that it is something to know and be aware of.

My bad experience at St Joe's was over 2 decades ago, so I don't have anything recent.

Just going to note that St Joes is a Catholic hospital, which will impact what services are available for certain complications. May or may not be an issue for you, but something to keep in mind.

Southern has a NICU, while St. Joseph’s does not. Infants can be easily transported to Southern if there’s a problem at St. Joe’s

St Joe’s has done a great job for our family.

Southern was great for us. My wife had an emergency C-section and the doctors on staff were top notch. Saved my baby’s and my wife’s life.

Did you feel like you were listened to while you were giving birth?

That’s amazing! I am so glad to here that your wife and baby are safe! 💜

I know they won’t do tubal ligation after birth, but that seems to be the main thing that I know of.

That is good to know! Pain management during birth is probably one of my biggest concerns haha! I am glad you could get the epidural quickly!

Would this affect things like the availability of abortion/d&c if the pregnancy was not viable?

Don’t waste time in NH “hospitals” just go to boston

Delivered both of my kids at SNH. I know a personal horror story of a delivery at St. Joe’s and wouldn’t recommend them to anyone.

I’m still sorry it happened. Thank you for the heads up!

That is a good question! Right now, I am still at Boston IVF, and still under their care, so I haven’t thought to ask!

You can do this. I know there are amazing folks at both hospitals Have a good birthing plan. Talk to your doctor. Ask to meet covering docs.

I wish we had the patience to sit in traffic for that! We also both have driving anxiety when it comes to Boston specifically, otherwise it would be Mass General or BW all of the way!

Good to know! Did you feel the IV drop and epidural to be adequate for pain management? Did you feel heard by the nurses at Southern?

Thank you 💜 It feels so hard to set things up. I tried setting up a consultation with St. Joseph’s today, and they just had a nurse call me back to answer questions, even though she didn’t know anything about the labour and delivery floor. She did tell me her daughter recently gave birth and had a good experience, and that I would be meeting with the anesthesiologist prior to birth.

Southern uses a birthing team, so you don’t meet anyone there ahead of time. There is a slight chance you get your doctor. I would assume you would meet with the anesthesiologist ahead of time as well. A lot of people seem to say good things about Southern, but there seems to be a missing personal touch. Though I am starting to think birth isn’t as personal as it used to be decades ago.

May I ask which doctor team you went to at Southern?

Womens care of Nashua, their office is literally right next door to the hospital and so easy to get to! my ob was dr Melissa martinez. She was amazing! I really liked that I could use any lab in the SNH network, depending on where I was in Nashua. Sometimes I used the main lab, other times I used the lab down 101a by home goods and big lots!

ETA: I also really liked that their ultrasounds and Non-Stress Tests were done in the same office, right down the hall. It was nice to not have to go to different places all over the hospital for that.

Thank you!! 🤗

Just gonna piggy back this, for how often you have appts toward the end of your pregnancy (sometimes multiple times a week!) go somewhere you’ll feel comfortable driving to often! And driving to quickly yet safely, if in labor!

There are birthing centers in the area who can do nearly everything but C Sections. They also got more supplemental state funding recently to help make sure they stay operating. I think The Birth Cottage is one?

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Sounds like a you problem then

I was not the one giving birth. However, they were very good with my wife and she had both children there. Best of luck with your new family. You won’t make the wrong decision. Trust your gut.

Those are exactly my thoughts! I hate the idea of taking too much time off of work just to travel, when I could be going somewhere closer and spending less time trying to make up hours at work.

Thank you for those kind words 💜

I have heard good places about the Birthing Cottage! They don’t do epidurals though :(

Dang I'm sorry.

I appreciate your insight! I have heard it is a wonderful place for more natural births!