any birth stories for Mercy in Portland, ME?

[KellyandBean]

My husband and i have been planning to birth our first baby at Mercy as we have heard really good things about them...but vague really good things...such as "oh they were SO nice." Which doesn't really say much specific. I'm hoping for a VERY natural experience with as little medical intervention as possible. I'm wondering if anyone reading this birthed there and if you wouldn't mind sharing your story? I would REALLY appreciate it!

[shayinme]

Only have a sec but I gave birth at Mercy in 2005, so it was at the old facility. I was a transfer from the now close Ballard House , despite the fact that I had been planning on not giving birth in a hospital it was not a bad experience. I ended up having an epidural but was not pressured in anyway, it was the result that after 35 hours of labor (water had broken and there had been meconium) that I could not take the pain anymore. I really had no complaints, and if I were ever having another baby would consider going back to Mercy.

HTH.

Shay

[AnalogWife]

I was supposed to go there but my stupid husband talked me into Maine Med, which turned out to be a "life mistake."

My nephew was born at Mercy in 1995. I wasn't there but I know that at the moment of birth the staff broke out in excitement and told my sil to reach down and to deliver the baby herself (she pulled him out.) She thought it was "weird" and felt uncomfortable about it in the aftermath but my brother thought it was the best thing since slices...it always gave me the impression that they were birthing-minded over medical-minded. GL!

[svmaine]

I've got 2 fantastic birth stories for you from Mercy. My first 2 boys were born there, in 2002, and 2004 and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. My OB doc, who was a DO, was out for surgery when I started labor with DS #1, so we got the on call doc and I was really worried. We were using Bradley and I definitely wanted little to no intervention or pain meds. The doc was unbelievable, he let me labor for 77 hours, with just one reminder to the nurses to tell him that if I want pain meds I'll ask for them, and after that he shut up and let me labor away. BTW I'm not a masochist, my contractions for my firstborn were very mild, which is why I could deal with it for 4 days.

So my 2nd DS we went with Back Cove Midwives, who deliver at Mercy, and they were absolutely wonderful. I had a lightening fast 17 hour labor and had my first water birth, their tub was awesome!! An ex-coworker still works at Mercy and he said the new birthing suites are so gorgeous and comfortable that the mom's might refuse to go home.

Feel free to ask me anything else about Mercy, they are highly recommended with me!!

Sarah

[finnegansmom]

I gave birth to my second son at Mercy in July 2008 (in the older facility).
We had hoped to birth at Ballard but they closed the month before I was due...
I went to Back Cove Midwives and Jenn Gilbert delivered Sam, and the nurse with me happened to be the old receptionist for Back Cove so they knew each other.
It was AMAZING!
I labored mostly at home and got to the hospital a little after 3am, and was 7+ cm already. I got into the tub and gave birth around 4am. They were so amazing, it was calm and dim and quiet. I had no interventions and they honored everything on my birth plan. Everything -- the baby wasn't touched at all. We left around lunchtime. It was perfect.

I loved Back Cove midwives - I actually started using them for my routine care, and when I had mastitis, I called them and they did NOT make me drive into town with 2 kids and a 103 fever like I KNOW my ObGYn would have (if they would have seen me that day at all)... they immediately called in meds for me and were just so nice.

[KellyandBean]

Thank you all so much for your replies! I'm feeling a lot more confident about Mercy after reading your stories!

[pebbles]

I gave birth in the new hospital in September 08. It was such an amazing experience. I don't think it would have mattered if we were in the new facility or the old as I believe it was the staff and our wonderful midwife (Back Cove Midwives are amazing!) who helped us have the experience we wanted. Our birthing nurse took our cues and followed our lead through the whole labor. I labored in the tub, shower, on a yoga ball and in the bed. There was never any suggestions of interventions and there was only positive energy in my birthing room. My son was immediately placed on my chest after he was born and we were given all the space we needed to welcome and bond with our son.

[Nature]

My last three children were born at Mercy hospital! (one just barely, he crowned on 295 ) The first two were at their old building and the last one is at their new building. (beautiful! but very quiet..) I love it at Mercy. They are very hands off, no pressure to vaccinate. No pressure to circumcise (in fact super supportive about not doing it!) They didn't come in and touch my breasts to help me breastfeed because they knew I knew what I was doing. But the lactation consultant was there if I needed her. Labor was wonderful. Totally hands off. They asked my permission for everything, and most of all they trust what you say. My OB's were from All About Women (Mainecare won't pay for Backcove) but I love them.

I've had the same nurse all three times, and she will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you Candy!

Anyway, I can't say enough good things about Mercy. Even though I have a hospital only 5 minutes away from my house... I drove almost 45 minutes in labor to Portland because they're just awesome there!

[KellyandBean]

Originally Posted by Nature

My OB's were from All About Women (Mainecare won't pay for Backcove) but I love them.

I've had the same nurse all three times, and she will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you Candy!

Anyway, I can't say enough good things about Mercy. Even though I have a hospital only 5 minutes away from my house... I drove almost 45 minutes in labor to Portland because they're just awesome there!

Thanks so much for your reply! I am actually going to All About Women too! Who did you end up getting for your delivery? I'm really hoping i get a nurse who is into natural child birth....

[rlandnl]

Originally Posted by Nature

My last three children were born at Mercy hospital! (one just barely, he crowned on 295 ) The first two were at their old building and the last one is at their new building. (beautiful! but very quiet..) I love it at Mercy. They are very hands off, no pressure to vaccinate. No pressure to circumcise (in fact super supportive about not doing it!) They didn't come in and touch my breasts to help me breastfeed because they knew I knew what I was doing. But the lactation consultant was there if I needed her. Labor was wonderful. Totally hands off. They asked my permission for everything, and most of all they trust what you say. My OB's were from All About Women (Mainecare won't pay for Backcove) but I love them.

I've had the same nurse all three times, and she will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you Candy!

Anyway, I can't say enough good things about Mercy. Even though I have a hospital only 5 minutes away from my house... I drove almost 45 minutes in labor to Portland because they're just awesome there!

Sorry to dig up an old thread I am considering driving from the Lewiston Auburn area to birth at mercy instead of CMMC- the bolded part I wanted to ask you about because on Back Cove midwives it says they accept maine care.... http://backcovemidwives.com/pregnancy/faqs/ did mainecare actually deny you or what?

[MEcatlady17]

Originally Posted by rlandnl

Sorry to dig up an old thread I am considering driving from the Lewiston Auburn area to birth at mercy instead of CMMC- the bolded part I wanted to ask you about because on Back Cove midwives it says they accept maine care.... http://backcovemidwives.com/pregnancy/faqs/ did mainecare actually deny you or what?

My understanding is that Back Cove does bill Mainecare. I just birthed at Mercy with them. I have private insurance but I remember them saying they had patients on Mainecare. I highly recommend them if you can go there, they are fantastic.

[j_p_i]

I was with Back Cove Midwives and had MaineCare, there were no issues I had a fantastic birthing experience at Mercy and LOVE the midwives. I would very highly recommend both the hospital and Back Cove Midwives.