Seattle hospital birth reviews?

[mamazita]

I need to set up my first OB (midwife) appt in the next couple weeks and am trying to decide which hospital I want to deliver at. I had ds in a tiny hospital where I knew everyone and had a wonderful birth experience...Anyone deliver at any of these: Swedish/Ballard, NW, UW, etc? Thanks!

[kkmoto]

I delivered all 4 of my kids at the Swedish Ballard location. I loved it! The nurses are great. It is small enough that you get to know your nurse but they also practice great medicine. PM me with questions. I tend to aviod teaching hospitals, I don't need a buch of people trying to figure out that yes I am 6 cm's, I know they need to learn- just not on me. I have had friends who like NW but most I know were not happy with UW.

[mamazita]

thank you! So far Swedish Ballard is at the top of the list. Good point about teaching hospitals...

[cytherea]

I gave birth at Swedish/First Hill and absolutely loved it -- even though I ended up with the on-call OB since my OB was out of town, he was great and the nurses were wonderful, too. I dunno if you're still looking for reviews, but if you are, feel free to PM me and I'll tell you about it.

[lovebabies]

I haven't had a hospital birth here (I've been with the Puget Sound Birth Center for all of mine), but I've heard wonderful things about both Swedish and UW. UW has one of the lowest C-sec rates in the area, or so I've heard. The friends I've had who have given birth there have had great experiences.

[KaylaAnne]

Not sure if Renton is too far south for you but I birthed at Valley Medical Center and it was AMAZING. They are very midwife friendly and offer laboring jacuzzi tubs in every room. Their NICU is amazing also although I hope you don't need it!