What was your experience with the hospital staff when giving birth?

Question

How did they treat you? Did you have any complications or problems? How was the staff like? Did they inform you of all the procedures or were you scared? This will be my first child due in May and Ive heard horrible stories about how the mom is treated horrible in the delivery room.

Answer 1

I had my first child at 17. I was a mess. I had been in prodromal labor for over a day and was exhausted, dehydrated from vomiting, scared to death. My nurses were at best, unsupportive, and the worst were condesending and mean and made snide remarks relating to my age. I received no support in my breastfeeding efforts. It was one of the most degrading experiences of my life.

My second child was a better experience. My third was the best, because I had a midwife. The hospital where I delivered had a great staff. My midwife was with me through the whole labor (which was only 2 hours at the hospital, 4 hours total). Everyone was supportive and encouraging and I did it without an epidural or pain meds.

My experiences are what inspired me to be a labor nurse. Having been on the receiving end of both horrible and excellent care, I know what kind of care I want to provide my patients with. I am fortunate to work at a hospital where the labor nurses love their job, love each other, and we love our patients and families and strive to give them the birth experience that they desire. I can't imagine working with a bunch of crabby labor nurses who don't respect the importance of what we are doing.

There is always going to be bad nurses and staff no matter where you are. You have to try not to generalize and expect all people to behave in that same way. Also, people react to how they are treated. Getting along with your hospital staff is a two way street. If you're making unreasonable demands, not following hospital rules and regulations like using cell phones in secure areas, etc., if you're expecting hotel service instead of hospital care, the staff will respond to that kind of attitude in many cases.

Answer 2

It really depends on the staff at the hospital you will be at. I have 2 children that were born in different hospitals. The nurses at both hospitals were wonderful. I liked the smaller hospital better, but overall, they were both great. My daughter was born about half an hour after the shift change, and the nurse who had been with me through out my labor asked if she could stay until I had the baby. That meant a lot to me and told me that she was truly interested in my care and how everything went. My son was delivered by the labor nurse because the doctor didn't get there in time. She was also wonderful. I haven't heard any stories from any of my friends or relatives about the hospital staff treating them badly.

Answer 3

I just had my baby boy on his due date 12/18 at 8:59pm
The staff was great! I went in on Monday the 17th late that night they took me upstairs about 12 or 1am and I was dilated a 2 at that time... about 3 am I was a 3 and at 10:05am my water broke and I was a 4. I never changed after that. But during the dilating and stuff my son's heart rate kept dropping.. It went as low as 40... The doctor check me at 1pm and I was still not dilating any more. So they told me that I had to have a C-Section even though that'snot what I wanted.. I was soo upset over everything and upset that my sister couldnt be there for it. I did feel the surgrey a bit,but my husband said I was the strongest women he has ever met and that he could NEVER go through what I did. My son was born 8:59pm he weighed 6.11(now he weighs 6.4) and was 22 1/2 inches long.
I wouldnt have change anything in the world...
I wish you luck with your birth

Answer 4

i think the hospital you choose is very important. I think the staff is SO important. I can tell you that i had a great doctor and one amazing nurse but due to some complications i had additional doctors and nurses present as well. One doctor actually commanded me not to yell while pushing as he "knew" it hurt (ummm a man does not know lol) and a nurse who tried not to let my boyfriend cut the cord. Thankfully my main doctor and nurse took over and handled the situation. The room i was in was quite comfy and peaceful and for the most part the hospital staff tend to bend over backwards to make you feel as comfortable as possible. Talk to some of your friends/family/coworkers about your local hospitals or even go ask to take a look at the local hospitals.

Answer 5

I was 17 when I had my now 6 year old daughter and of course she decided she wanted to come out in to the world during a ice storm lol. We arrived at the hospital where I then sat in a room for quite a long time before anyone even came to check on me. The nurse I had was the biggest B$&*# I had ever met, she constantly made comments about how I wasnt going to be able to take the pain because I was young and immature. Every time she came to check me to see if I was dialiting she would say "you still at 1 im just gonna send you home, this is pointless" I continued to tell her I could feel my self dialiting and it felt like the baby was fixing to come out her reply was "you just cant handle it". Finally I lost it and began to tell her off, a Dr. walking by over heard me and came into help, she checked me and I was 10cm the Dr. looked at the nurse and said "what is your problem 2 min ago you said she was 1cm" I had no epidural (no time) and had to be rushed into the delivery room. Then after I had my daughter they made me watch about 7 movies about child care because I was a unwed mother which completly pissed me off. But seriously you just need to be able to speek up for your self...your paying them to take care of you. Once your child arrives it will all be worth it.

Answer 6

i have had 2 experiences in the hospital, and with both i was really well taken care of and never felt scared or insecure. but for each birth there was a grumpy nurse on duty at some point during my stay. and after talking to a few other moms, i found this to be common. i dont know why but they just seemed like they didnt want to be there. but all the other staff was wonderful!! and each experience was a warm and happy memory for me.

Answer 7

For the most part my actual labor and delivery went pretty smooth with no complications and not much pain. the staff...well, one of my main nurses, really got on my nerves though! For one she had the hardest time checking me for dialation. She just couldnt figure it out so then she would go get someone else to do it and they would be able to tell right away. Then, she didnt listen/believe me when i told her my water had broken because i was sitting on the bed and she couldnt actually see the water come out. so then i stood up and it all came gushing out and she was like oh, i guess it did! then she left to go get the epidural ready but i told my mom to get her back in cuz i was ready to push and the nurse told me it was impossible cuz i wasnt fully dialated yet but when they checked i was! so no epidural and they had to go call my doc cuz they hadnt done so yet but it was going to be 45 mins before he got there and i wanted to push but she kept telling me no, that she didnt want to deliver no babies so i couldnt. that was the worst part. by the time the doc got there it only took me 3 good pushes, no more than 10 mins, and the baby was born. thank god shift change came soon after so i didnt have to deal with that nurse anymore but then i was still bothered because every time the baby and i would get to sleep the nurse would come wake us and it would take forever to get the baby back to sleep so i could sleep. i guess its normal procedure but it sucks!

Answer 8

The midwives were really nice, kept popping in to check on me and called me sweety and complimented me on things like my hair and socks lol. But when i was in actual labour i wasnt told what was going on. One midwife says the baby needed to be delivered now by forceps. They didnt warn me that they were gonna be stabbing 3 needles down there first, thats what made me scream, i was just expecting her to start pulling.

Answer 9

so you are going to keep it thank you so much if its a girl i'll take if you find that you don't want it again..but the staff is very helpful at the hospital i gave birth at they catered to me every need they even sent me a congrats card after i left most doctors don't do that..as long as you are not rude..congrats and thanks again

Answer 10

yeah I preregistered and still was asked a bunch of unnecessary questions last time that's all I can complain of, questions like my pediatricians address and phone number. So maybe have all that written down so you don't have to talk too much.