Anyone deliver @ NEMC? Reviews? Info?

[Mermaidmomma]

Has anyone here had a birthing experience at New England Medical Center? Could you share please?
I'm weighing my options on where to deliver. I had a great natural child birth at MGH, but the thought of going into Boston with a toddler for prenatals turns my stomach. NEMC has a office in Quincy around the corner from me which would be VERY nice in the cold winter months with a toddler in tow. Thanks Ladies

[sahm2two]

I had a natural VBAC there a couple of years ago. The L&D and post partum nurses were great and my L&D nurse was like having a second doula! No trouble with rooming in, BF, cosleeping (don't ask don't tell) etc.
Be aware though that NEMC has the largest NICU in the city (which is saying something in Boston) and take the highest number of high risk pregnancies. That being said, they are not always used to a totally natural approach but they are supportive. They also don't have a lot of the bells and whistles to help with a natural birth. (no birthing balls, only one tub, etc. but you can bring your own things if you want.)
You will probably have to speak up a bit but hey I think you'd have to do that anywhere these days!
PS - I go to the Quincy office too - haven't had any trouble but it's not fancy.

[Mermaidmomma]

Thank You so much for responding. I would LOVE a homebirth and I know I could totally do it, given my previous birth. But we just don't have the $$$.
I agree with you, that I'd have to speak up no matter where I went, I was just trying to get a feel for how the nurses felt about NCB (natural child birth) and if they would help advocate etc.. Luckily for me I couldn't stand water or the birthing ball while in labor. I loved raising the bed up in the air and hanging off it. I keep things simple!

[sahm2two]

Good luck - I hope you find something that works for you!
Let me know if you want any more info on NEMC (I think it's just TMC now?)

[sunflower.mama]

I had both of my kids at NEMC and loved it! Seriously, I have zero complaints about my birth experiences. Loved the docs and nurses during labor and after. My son was considered high risk, which is how I got there in the first place, and the MFM group takes subsequent non-high risk pregnancies. I will say that I had epidurals with both deliveries but they were LIGHT. I felt every second of both deliveries, and breastfed both babies w/in an hour of delivering. Lactation support was great - in fact the LC told me how to get a free breastpump via my insurance. I'd highly recommend it! Good luck!:

[UrbanEarthMom]

As far as I know NEMC has no midwives on staff and they also have one of the highest C-Section rates in the state - check out the Mass. Dept. of Public Health web-site. I am walking distance to NEMC and did not consider it at all for these reasons.

Good luck with your search.

[sahm2two]

I'm disappointed to hear about the midwives - they were on staff two years ago when I VBAC'd there. I haven't checked recently.
As for the high section rate - I think it is due to the fact that they take the most high risk pregnancies (for both mom and baby) in the city and therefore have a high section rate. They have a large 'pre-partum' (if that is a word) unit for moms on medically supervised bedrest. My first was a medically necessary section at NEMC and I remember them talking about the fact that I should be able to have a VBAC with my next pregnancy while they were sewing me up since they were using a certain type of suture technique. My OB brought up the possibility of VBAC at my six week checkup after my first! My mind was not there at the time!


Good luck!