I gave birth to my 2nd son in December of 2007 at Banner Desert. I wasn't overly impressed, perhaps in part due to my WONDERFUL experience at a hospital in Oregon for the birth of my 1st.
We're pregnant with number 3, so I'm trying to pick the OB/GYN with Hospital package. Here's what I did and didn't like about Banner Desert: The triage area was so-so with some great nurses and some not so great. (I went in 3 different times before the real deal). The labor/delivary nurses were a mix, too. My first was not impressive, but the second was incredible and got me through a very difficult delivary of a 10 lb 6 oz baby. Had it not been for her, I may have ended up needing to c-section. (If I was gaurenteed her again, I'd take that hospital in a heartbeat even with my other complaints.) The post-delivary nurses bugged me. They hardly looked at me, let alone talked to me, and they insisted on giving my baby a formula bottle even with my strict breastfeeding desires, and after asking for glucose water instead (his blood sugar levels were low.) They said they didn't have any glucose water in the hospital. That really bugged me as I have major allergies and wanted to avoid gibing baby anything but breastmilk.
Then, post partum room was teeny tiny, like stuck in a closet, no comfortable place for anyone to sleep, and the nurses didn't even get me any food besides crackers until about 8 HOURS later, after pestering them. Also, they took my baby one morning for Pediatrician rounds even after I requested baby stay with me. I had to page for every dose of medicine (at the Oregon hospital, they automatically brought it in on a staggered schedule.)
And my husband complained about parking every time.
I've heard they've remodelled some, so if the rooms are bigger that would help.
So, please share with me which hospital(s) you delivered at and what you liked/disliked, especially if you've given birth at more than one. Right now I'm leaning towards Chandler Regional, or Mercy Gilbert, but will consider others. I live in almost downtown Chandler and would prefer a drive no further than 15 miles.
Thanks,
S.
Hi S. -
I LOVED Mercy Gilbert - I had my twins 14 months ago and everyone there was wonderful! My mom just had a minor heart issue and we took her to Mercy Gilbert, she will not go anywhere else. Their ICU staff was incredible. I highly recommend them.
I would recommend Mercy Gilbert - take a tour and see what you think. I had my son there last April and had a great experience. Planning on going there again with our next! (Whenever that may be... :)
Hey there S.!
I can totally relate. I had a great experience with my son in Tucson and then delivered my daughter at Chandler Regional. I had no problems with the staff but the post delivery room was very small. The only specific advice I have is what my OB told me when I asked - all the specialists have offices right by Chandler Regional so basically I decided that what was most important was the quality of care, not how great the room was that we were to be in for 24 hours. Good luck!
-Jen
I've heard good things about both Mercy Gilbert and Banner Gateway on Higley and the 60. From what I understand, Banner Gateway has spacious rooms with a pull out bed for the dad or someone else to sleep on to keep you company, they have menus to choose your food, flat screen TVs in the rooms, etc. Haven't heard specifics about Mercy Gilbert, but I'd compare them both and make your choice. I visited family/friends who had babies at Banner Desert and their rooms were way small. I'd feel claustrophobic. : ) Good luck on your choice and congrats on your new baby!
Hi - I would check out Mercy Gilbert - They are supposed to have a Wonderful Labor and Delivery Unit - New and Big and Stocked with everything including exceptional nurses and docs - I went to Phx but that was a couple of years ago but a far drive - Mercy is Very nice and lots of parking and I highly rec. checking them out :) Cheers!! S. :)
Hi S.!
Congratulations! I loved Banner Baywood on Power/Baywood. I had 2 babies there and the rooms are huge and I had no problems whatsoever with the staff. All my nurses were wonderful and I had to stay 4 days for both due to c-sections. This time, however, I am pregnant as well, I have a new OB and he does not deliver there so I will be delivering at Banner Gateway on Higley/US60. I have heard they have an amazing maternity ward. Very relaxing! I hope you have a better experience this time.
M.
I've heard that the new Banner Gateway at Higley & Baseline is pretty good. My girlfriend did a natural birth there in Nov with a doula and the nurse there also had midwife training. They have a special garden for laboring moms to walk around in, and they also have japanese tubs to sit in (they won't let you give birth in them, but are to help ease the labor). You might want to go take a tour there. I've been planning to as well.
I had a c-section at Mercy-Gilbert Medical Center just 4 days ago, and the care I recieved there was phenomenal! EVERY person involved in our experience, from the registrar at the emergency room to the housekeeping staff was friendly, encouraging, helpful, and kind. The anesthesiologist was cheerful and warm, Dr MacClusky who did our c-section was an absolute sweetheart, and the nurses, especially Myrna and Amy (I wish I could remember everyone's names and thank them all personally!) treated me so well I felt like I was the only patient on the whole floor for 4 days! I've never had surgery before, nor pregnancy complications- You can imagine, this experience could/should have been nerve-wracking for me! But it wasn't, I was so comforted by their knowledge and compassion, I had the most wonderful experience. I don't know if there are more babies in our future, but I would certainly consider myself lucky to have them at Mercy Gilbert. Best of luck to you and your family.
I toured both Chandler and Mercy Gilbert and decided on Mercy because it is 'new' even though it was a bit farther for me. The rooms are big and i like the paint colors. This is my first baby and he was born in August so I dont have anything to compare the experience with but I loved my midwife Janice Bovee @ Dr. Kells office on Dobson. The hospital has 'high tea' which was not mentioned during the tour. Volunteers go to each room and offer tea and mini pastry/chocolates every day. I cant remember the time, but it was cool. be sure to take advantage of that if you can. That being said, I did end up having a c section because they tought he was huge and neither of us were tolerating pushing. I was fine with it, what is measnt to be is meant to be i think and i certainly didnt want to push if little guy wasnt having it. Needless to say he was only 7lbs15oz, not the 9-10 as thought (yes they did an ultrasound before hand). The epidural made me TOTALLY numb. I couldnt help with turning over or pushing or anything. Again, not sure if that is normal but it seemed to be more than i expected. The post baby medications were scheduled and they were on top of it. Also, they did give him formula the first night so i could sleep, which i gave in to that. I am sure you could be adamant about not though. There was also one nurse who really annoyed me at first. The baby wouldnt stop crying and she came in the did the "happiest baby on the block" techniques which i didnt know at the time, and i thought she was really rough. Needless to say, it didnt work - she may have been too bouncy as i suspected cause he was a couple days old at the time and hadnt been bounced yet. Well, she became the one to spend most time with us and she was great! (She insisted my DH change a diaper and to this day it is the only one he has done...grrr. AND he was proud of himself afterword!) I liked all of the nurses and helpers. We were in the hospital for 4 or 5 days and it was very nice overall. I would deliver there again. I can tell you more things if you want.
Best wishes to you!
I delivered at Good Sam in Phoenix. AWESOME experience!!! I had my own labor /delivery nurse, rooms and nurses were FANTASTIC...loving, supportive, got me and my husband whatever we wanted/needed. They made sure that he was comfortable as well. They give you a goody bag of Tylenol, Motrin, topical for vaginal area, so you can use as needed without having to wait on them. Honored my breast only order, and kept Cassidy with me the WHOLE time unless they had to do routine type stuff. We live in Gilbert (Power and Elliott) and thought it was well worth the major drive
S.
