Delaware County Memorial Hospital (Drexel HIll) vs. Bryn Mawr Hospital

[MrsSlocombe]

Do you know anything about either of these two hospitals?  I had a great plan to give birth at the midwife-run Birth Center in Bryn Mawr, with Bryn Mawr hospital as the emergency backup, but now that is no longer possible.  In case of any problem, Birth Center patients have to drive 20 minutes to Delaware County Memorial Hospital.

I am wondering if this would be an okay scenario, or if it would be better to just go to Bryn Mawr Hospital from the beginning, and forget about a midwife-assisted birth.  I have been to BMH for other things and been happy, and I'm a little nervous upon seeing that DCMH is not only a 20 minute drive from the birth center, but has lower ratings on most sites.

If you've had any experiences at either hospital, please share.  Even if you've just been to Delaware County Memorial Hospital to visit a friend, I'd like to know what you thought of it.  I'm just not familiar with it at all, and unlike Bryn Mawr Hospital, they don't seem to offer tours.

[amymaew]

I like Delaware County much better than Bryn Mawr.  If there's a serious emergency and you need to be in the hospital ASAP from the Birth Center, they'll take you across the street to Bryn Mawr anyways.  Usually, though, you can see the need to be in a hospital coming and have time to get to Delaware County, so it wouldn't really be a problem.  Stay with the birth center  :)

[MrsSlocombe]

Thanks!  Have you been inside the DCMH maternity ward, or some other part of the hospital?  I had this nightmare vision of it being an unclean place run by uncaring people.  I suppose I could stop into the hospital even though they don't offer tours, but I won't see much that way.

[amymaew]

Yup, I've attended a birth there.  It's fine  :)

 

Originally Posted by MrsSlocombe 

Thanks!  Have you been inside the DCMH maternity ward, or some other part of the hospital?  I had this nightmare vision of it being an unclean place run by uncaring people.  I suppose I could stop into the hospital even though they don't offer tours, but I won't see much that way.

[nannybutterfly]

I had my first at Lankenau Hospital which is basically the same as Bryn Mawr, same policies, same NICU staff, and no lactation consultants.  We had a terrible experience there, you can PM if you want more info. But I will never step foot in a Main Line hospital to give birth unless it is a true emergency.  I haven't ever been to Delaware county, but it's one of the options we are looking into for baby #2. Right now we are planning on delivering at Montgomery County hospital in Norristown.  Have you tried to call the maternity ward directly to ask for a tour at Del. Co? That's what I had to do at Mont. Co. there wasn't anything about a tour on their website, but they do them! Hope that helps!

[bellabambina]

Hi. I will tell you that DCMH's rooms may not have the "shine" that BM's do, but as the old saying goes, Don't judge a book by its cover. I had my baby at DCMH and can tell you that the nurses couldn't be nicer or more caring, and most importantly they saved my and my baby's life. If it wasn't for the quick action of my doctors and nurses I wouldn't be here to tell you this story. Like the others said--stick with your gut plan and the birth center midwives. Also a great idea to take a tour and meet the people who would be caring for you. I really don't think you'll be disappointed. 20 minutes isn't far to go when you're having a baby. You will probably be there a lot longer than that. Good luck!

[MrsSlocombe]

Thanks, Bellabambina!  I'm really glad I asked this question.  The distance continues to worry me a little (since the drive would be after a problem is suspected at the Birth Center, already in the middle of labor), but it's great to know that you had a good experience at DCMH.

[mom2tatum]

Originally Posted by MrsSlocombe 

Thanks, Bellabambina!  I'm really glad I asked this question.  The distance continues to worry me a little (since the drive would be after a problem is suspected at the Birth Center, already in the middle of labor), but it's great to know that you had a good experience at DCMH.

It's not the place of transfer when a 'problem' occurs - only in non emergent transfers, which make up the overwhelming majority of their transfers - 50% of first time moms end up at the hospital for these, either prior to labor for inductions or during a stalled or very lengthy labor or prolonged rupture of membranes without progress, etc.