Cooley Dickinson Childbirth Center

[mamaluvs]

I am looking for any reviews comments about the Cooley Dickinson Childbirth Center.  I just met with one of the midwives and got a good impression but I am not sure how I feel about the actual birthing center part.  Thanks for any input.

[BellyfullBirth]

Hi there! I am a doula in the area, I work for clients at all the local hospitals. My honest advice would be: if you are hoping for a natural childbirth, you have better choices in our area. Baystate Franklin Medical in Greenfield is FANTASTIC. The practice is Pioneer Women's. All the CNMs were homebirth midwives first, and the culture of the hospital is truly natural birth focused. I had my own babies there and it is a pleasure working there. I actually just posted a link to some of the great work they are doing on my facebook page (www.facebook.com/bellyfullbirth). Another great choice would be Holyoke Medical with Midwifery Care of Holyoke. A similar feel, and definitely my personal second choice in the area. Whether or not you are interested in doula care, I would be glad to talk with you and tell you more about my impressions of each of our local hospitals. We are lucky to live in an area with so much choice, shop around. Give me a call if you feel like it 413.522.3949, my name is Marissa. Congratulations. 

Edited by BellyfullBirth - 2/8/12 at 1:15pm

[mamaluvs]

Hi Marissa, thank you for your reply.  This is baby 3 for me.  I had my first two at Holyoke and loved my experiences there but due to a change in insurance I can not have my birth there this time around.  I am very sad about this as I really loved it there.  I have short labors and am too far away from Greenfield to try and make Franklin work.  Right now, it seems as if my only options are Baystate, Mercy or Cooley and even Cooley is bit far for me.  I feel like I have had the best of hospital experiences thus far and I now have to settle but I am still hoping for another fantastic experience.  Knowing a little more about my situation, do you have any advice or suggestions?  Again, thank you for your reply.

[mamaluvs]

I'd still love to hear from other women about their experiences at Cooley.  Again, I really enjoyed the midwife that I met with and she made me feel totally comfortable about my birthing experience.  Now, I'd like to get a better feeling for the postpartum experience at Cooley-the part that really relies on the hospital staff.  Thanks!

I know that there are older posts about local hospitals but a lot can change in a few years and I'd love to hear some more recent perspectives.

[opencircle]

I am so happy that women have wonderful birth choices in the Valley. But each choice that we are faced with; midwifery practice, hospital, or home birth has pros, cons and unknowns. It is so essential that you choose pregnancy and birth companions/care providers with whom you feel you can develop deep trust.. I encourage you to visit the maternity centers, meet some of the nurses and get a feel of the area. Then if you are still unsure, go back to the midwives of the practices you are considering and talk about it. I hope it becomes clear!

[BellyfullBirth]

I wanted to add that since I posted above, I've been down to tour the Cooley Midwifery Center and learn more about their history. The office is absolutely the most comfortable and family friendly of any in the area, and the midwives are confident that women can have natural births at their hospital. The hospital is being sold to Mass General, I just heard this week, and I'm not sure anyone knows how what impact that will have, if any, on the maternity floor. I liked what the previous poster said about exploring all aspects of a practice and a hospital before making a choice - visiting and speaking with the nurses, etc. Best of luck, and of course if I can be helpful, please let me know.