K.T.
Hi there!
I had a really traumatic experience with my first delivery, and it was considered a 'normal, uneventful' delivery. It had everything to do with how I was treated by the Dr. and hospital staff of a major 'baby factory' hospital in downtown Chicago. I did a lot of research when we moved here, and found Isis ObGyn. Both the midwife, Kay, and the Dr. are great. They work with North Fulton Regional, and Kay recommends it highly as a place that is more open to letting you direct your experience rather than being pushed through the labor and delivery mill.
I've had a few rough patches with hyperemesis this pregnancy, and the ER staff at North Fulton Regional has been phenomenal. If you're looking for a more personal experience where you won't feel like a number on a chart, it's a great hospital.
I see that someone here recommends Northside - It's very popular, but I would think twice. They literally deliver more babies per year at that hospital than any other hospital in the nation (this in my opinion is not a good thing!) and their published first-time c-section rate is an outrageous 36% compared to North Fulton's 10.4%. Nearly half of the women who go in to deliver at Northside have an emergency c-section! Red flag! Of my new neighbors (all of whom delivered at Northside), 4 out of 5 who delivered in the past 3 years had emergency sections. I would definitely stick to North Fulton Regional.
Someone here also recommended the North Point ObGyn midwives. I've heard they're great, too, however they were too busy for me. I called once and left a message and never heard back. I called again (like a month later), let them know that I didn't receive a call, and finally got a message back about a week later. I was also told that they charge $50 just to go in and interview a midwife to see if you want to use them. I think that's crazy. Anyway, that was my experience with North Point. By the time they got around to me, I was already happily seeing Kay Johnson at Isis.
Good luck in your search! I can't recommend Isis enough!
Kim