Overland Park Regional Vs. Shawnee Mission Medical Center Maternity Ward

Kesley,

Congrats!
We have had 5 children at SMMC, and loved every nurse we came across. With that said, I hear that OPR, keeps you in the same room as you deliver in.

SMMC must move you, as they do not have enough new delivery rooms. They move you to a nice large room with 2 beds usually. (so your husband can rest too)

My doctor went to both as well, but with the last one we just stuck with what we knew.

Good luck, the main thing is your OBGYN.. he makes all the difference. Make sure you have a ped. picked out, as they come and check their new patient daily as well.!

I had 2 babies at SMMC. The last one was in Aug. of 08. I think they are great! The nurses there are very experienced they helped me get going on nursing which was great! Especiality for first-time parents, they really held our hand with our first one, which my husband was so nervous it really helped him. He's a perfectionist so he drove me crazy with all his internet parenting!

Hi K.! I had my first (3 1/2 years ago) and about to have my second at SMMC. I never had any problems. They say they are the local hospital that delivers the most babies. They have upgraded the rooms where they have nice corner tubs, little fridges, flat screen TVS that actually turn into a computer when you get a keyboard from the front desk. I know OP is a great hospital, too. My friend had her baby there 2 years ago and loved her experience as well. Good luck in your decission! :)

Congratulations!

I checked out SMMC when I was close to deliver... and I did not feel safe. The nursery is very close to the exit/enterance.

I also did not like the idea that they would keep me on an epidural for 24hours after c-section delivery. yuk.

I had two great experiences at OP... the staff is attentive, kind and knowledgable. I felt safe and most of all, it felt clean!

Good Luck with your decision.

Hi, K.. I delivered at Olathe Medical Center, so I do not have a first hand opinion about where to go, but I do want to make you aware of a friends stay at OP Regional. She stayed there for a different issue when she was there, so she was not in the maternity ward. However, she had a terrible time there. She was left in her room to fend for herself, with no one coming in to clean the bathroom or help her out of bed. Her husband was there, thank God, to take care of her. The nurses even admitted they were understaffed. This happened this Spring. I would strongly advise visiting the Maternity ward at both hospitals before making a final decision. I would not feel right not mentioning my friend's situation to you. Just be cautious choosing OP Regional. I am sure others have lots of great stuff to say about OP, but there were MANY safety and hygiene issues that were not carried out while they were there for 4 days. I told them to call the health department on them, but I don't think they ever did. Your first delivery should be perfect, so don't settle for less!
Good Luck!

K.,
I delivered at SMMC in April anf all the nurses were wonderful. My experience was better than the first time around. Go check out each unit and decide then..Hope it helps..
S.

I had a c-section w/ my 1st and only at SMMC, so we were there for 4 days. We had really great nurses the whole time, and they have good lactation support nurses/consultants as well, if you're planning to BF. I know that OPR has a higher-level NICU if there are any issues anticipated with the baby - or if you should happen to go very early - but SMMC is above average for that as well, just not quite as highly-rated as OPR.

I just had a baby 5 months ago at Shawnee Mission Medical Center and had the best experience ever. The delivery room was very roomy and even had a big bath in the back corner if you are interested in that. It never felt crowded in there
even when I was delivery and had lots of people in there ( me, husband, doctor, two nurses, two helpers...never could figure out what they did...two nurses for baby). They were very sweet to my husband making sure he had food and drinks. SMMC has a area with all the free pop, sandwhiches, ice cream, crackers, juice and extra trays for anyone visiting to eat from. The staff was always very nice and sweet and if I ever need them they never made me wait. The postpartum room was the biggest thing I have even seen in a maternity ward. There were atleast 4 chairs for people to sit in, refrigerate to put stuff in and a colt for my husband to sleep on ( who said it was more comfortable then one he had once slept on in a hotel room...lol) They made sure he had blankets and pillows to stay comfortable. Now my husband couisn just had her baby at OPRMC and said she had a good experience but they only problem was there weren't any chairs in the postpartum room or a colt for her husband to sleep on and they room was very small. The bed too up half of the space. Also at SMMC the bathroom is very big too with a nice size shower. I am sorry if I have rambled to much. If you have any other questions just ask.
H.

I had 2 fabulous deliveries at SMMC in 2000 &2002. The staff was wonderful. If you can get Lisanne Milford to be your L&D nurse, you'll have the best possible experience, guaranteed!

My son and daughter-in-law had my new grandson at Overland Park Regional last week and had awesome care and treatment. They were very attentive and respectful of the family and visitors. Great experience!!! As a nurse, myself, I critique other nurses. Would definitely recommend!
Have no personal OB experience with SMMC, but know it is good hospital.

You should tour both hospitals and interview their labor directors. I hear OP Regional is very very nice and my sister is about to become an labor nurse there. SM is also very nice - but my impression (what I've heard from other women) is that it's kind of a "baby factory." Meaning, you will be pressured into an early epidural and you will be c-sectioned if you don't deliver QUICK.

A good friend of mine was threatened with a c-section after laboring there for ONLY FOUR HOURS!! The baby was not in distress and neither was she. And this was her 3rd child! She had a history of a certain pattern of laboring, and still they threw that at her after only 4 hours. Pretty outrageous.

Depending on what kind of birth you want (that is, how natural, how medicated, etc...) SM might not be the best place. This being your first, you should really be on the same page with your OB about how long you can labor without them coming in, scaring you, stressing you out, pressuring you into a c-section.

I found the staff at St Luke's Plaza to be incredibly supportive and flexible when I had my first. They really tried hard to get the baby out - but I ended up with a very necessary c-section. So I'm not speaking from a super anti-c-section perspective -- but as a first-timer you should definitely beware that this happens in the cushier hospitals. Best of luck.

Congrats! I delivered my girl at the OPRMC last year. I loved it there. The nurses we wonderful! I have heard the OPRMC maternity ward is the only decent part of the hospital and not to go there for anything else.

Good luck!

OP Regional has a higher level neonatal unit...just in case. I delivered at OP and I do not have one single complaint!! My friend delivered at SMMC and was jealous when we discussed our experiences. Something to consider since both are great places is which hospital is closer to your home as well as your families...Good luck!

I delivered my last baby at OP Regional. I really liked it. The nurses were great and my baby had to stay in the NICU and those nurses are great! My friend had hers at SMMC and seemed to like it there to. My husband's aunt is a labor & delivery nurse who currently works at OP Regional but prior to a year ago worked at SMMC. From a care standpoint either hospital is a good one. Good Luck!

Hi K.,
Congrats again! I had both of my kids at SMMC althougth several years ago. I had a great experience with both.
I will have to respectfully disagree with the poster that SMMC is a baby factory and that you will be pressured to have a c-section. That decision is uaually made by your doc not the nursing staff at the hosptial. I was finally prepped for a c-section with my son, but after 17 hours (not 3) and several complications. They were able to deliver vaginally though but it wasn't easy.

I also agree to tour both facilites. You'll get a vibe of which one you like.

Good Luck and in good health,

Lori K