Rave for Virginia Hospital Center

[Anonymous]

About 1/3 of babies are born with their cords around their necks and it isn't really cause for section. Were there other circumstances that were concerning?

[Anonymous]

I'm not 22:10 pp, but I had a very similar experience. Got to VHC with contractions about 2 minutes apart and they said they had nowhere to put me so they told me to go to the father's waiting room. I couldn't walk since my contractions were coming pretty quickly and were intense, so after making me stand there for 15 minutes, someone got me a wheel chair. No one checked on me at all, and the pain was very intense and my husband kept asking for help. Finally he yelled that my contractions were a minute and a half apart and they came to get me. My baby was out 10 minutes later. The whole time, not a single nurse triaged me, talked to me, checked on me and they knew I was GBS+ and never gave me an IV or the antibiotics - not that it mattered since my labor progressed so quickly. The whole time, though, everyone we talked to/yelled at said, "oh, first baby? It'll be hours!" I'd like to see one of them go through transition sitting in a wheel chair with no privacy.

By the time the baby was out, they'd managed to assemble the entire nicu team since no one could find the baby's heartbeat while I was pushing, and I was given an episiotomy to get the baby out fast, which I wasn't fond of, but I don't fault my OB/practice for that. I'd rather he did that than find out there was a real problem. But, they kept my baby for three hours to "keep an eye on her" and left me alone post partum with no information on my baby for all that time and it was absolutely gut wrenching not to know if she was ok.

Sadly, despite all that, I will be back there for kid2 in March. I live very close and given how fast my labor was last time, I'm not really interested in chancing the possibility that I won't make it to the hospital at all.

[Anonymous]

I was there for surgery for an ectopic pregnancy. As I was checking into the surgical room, the nurse asked me my betas and why I was there. When I explained, she said "wow, those are great scores! I am sure your pregnancy is fine." Uh, no, that's why I'm here for emergency surgery.

[Anonymous]

Wow, this post is really scaring me. I'm delivering my first at VHC in a month or so. It seems that all the posters with good experiences had c-sections... NOT a good sign, since I want to have a natural birth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not 22:10 pp, but I had a very similar experience. Got to VHC with contractions about 2 minutes apart and they said they had nowhere to put me so they told me to go to the father's waiting room. I couldn't walk since my contractions were coming pretty quickly and were intense, so after making me stand there for 15 minutes, someone got me a wheel chair. No one checked on me at all, and the pain was very intense and my husband kept asking for help. Finally he yelled that my contractions were a minute and a half apart and they came to get me. My baby was out 10 minutes later. The whole time, not a single nurse triaged me, talked to me, checked on me and they knew I was GBS+ and never gave me an IV or the antibiotics - not that it mattered since my labor progressed so quickly. The whole time, though, everyone we talked to/yelled at said, "oh, first baby? It'll be hours!" I'd like to see one of them go through transition sitting in a wheel chair with no privacy.

By the time the baby was out, they'd managed to assemble the entire nicu team since no one could find the baby's heartbeat while I was pushing, and I was given an episiotomy to get the baby out fast, which I wasn't fond of, but I don't fault my OB/practice for that. I'd rather he did that than find out there was a real problem. But, they kept my baby for three hours to "keep an eye on her" and left me alone post partum with no information on my baby for all that time and it was absolutely gut wrenching not to know if she was ok.

Sadly, despite all that, I will be back there for kid2 in March. I live very close and given how fast my labor was last time, I'm not really interested in chancing the possibility that I won't make it to the hospital at all.

I am the previous poster with this same experience. I am kind of glad I wasn't the only one. I too had my contractions about 1 to 3 minutes apart and they kept telling me to go away basically. Talk about embarrassing screaming in that waiting room! Maybe the hospital is not large enough?

[Anonymous]

11:43 I am the PP on cytotec who no one realized was in labor until I had my baby. I wanted natural birth too, of course once induction was on the table (low afi measured, but not really!) I was less against pain meds. I chose against a doula b/c I wanted to share the experience w/ my dh (and know he wouldn't have been comfortable with one). THAT SAID, get a doula!

I wrongly assumed the nurses would be knowledgeable, if not helpful. That was not my experience. (Also I expected to deliver with a midwife-induction ruled that out also).

Also, I don't regret the epidural, because I was able to stay active thru all of labor--this is more important for baby and momma's health than whether or not you could take the pain.

Best of luck!

[Anonymous]

I delivered there vaginally in June and couldn't have been happier - and I'm picky. I switched OB's 3 times during pregnancy until I found the right doctor and hospital. The nurses were amazing and it was overall a wonderful experience.

[Anonymous]

I've had 2 vaginal deliveries there with Women to Women and was really happy with both of them. First one I had an epidural, 2nd one it was too late for one. But I thought the staff was generally terrific. A little chaos the 2nd time because all of a sudden I was 10+ and the baby was coming and the doctor wasn't back. But the nurses were great. The lactation consultant SUCKED but other than that all good.

[Anonymous]

I just had my second at vhc with awc (karen king) both times had a vaginal birth with epidural (my choice) and had great nurses and staff to help me through the experience. It must be a timing thing cause both time I walk right in with contractions at 5 minutes and got a room no problem

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Wow, this post is really scaring me. I'm delivering my first at VHC in a month or so. It seems that all the posters with good experiences had c-sections... NOT a good sign, since I want to have a natural birth.

Don't let the negative posts scare you. Don't read them, but if anything let them prepare you. I had a wonderful natural birth at VHC in July. I had an OB who was supportive of natural births, an incredible doula (you say you want a natural birth, do you have a doula?) and a supportive and proactive husband. They all worked to make the birth experience what I wanted. I have 3 friends who had great births at VHC as well. My doula says VHC is hands down the best hospital for natural births in the area.

I think a lot of your experience will depend upon your preparation and attitude. Don't think it will all fall into place perfectly, but know that it can be a wonderful experience and that if you want a hospital birth, VHC is your best bet. I feel terrible for all of the women who had bad experiences there, but don't let their experiences scare you or taint your attitude. There are just as many positive experiences, if not more, I certainly have heard more positive ones. I personally can say the only other place I would give birth would be at home.

Good luck to you. I hope everyone gets the birth experience they want.

[Anonymous]

I agree - I really don't like these type of posts because when someone is trying to be positive, they always draw out the negative people! It's a shame really, but here is another positive experience.

I had an unmedicated birth there in 2009 with Karen King. Everything I had hoped for. Fabulous experience at VHC - loved it, loved the nurses, was so happy with everything.

Going back for #2 in a few months and am looking forward to it again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree - I really don't like these type of posts because when someone is trying to be positive, they always draw out the negative people!

I find that unfair, really. I am a pp with a negative experience. Nobody on this post seems to be making harsh, sweeping statements, just reporting their experience. I considered myself well-prepared and educated. Wish I had known ahead of time there was a chance the staff would have so little idea what to do with me. A pre-formed judgment by nurses and docs can really alter their medical assessment. Clearly could be true at any hospital.

[Anonymous]

I plan on delivering my first child at VHC in a few months, and I appreciate both the "negative" and "postive" stories because I just don't really know what to expect. It sounds to me like the end-story from these posts (the less-than-positive ones at least) is to be your own healthcare advocate in terms of having a birth plan, being on top of your meds, etc. How exactly to accomplish this in a measured fashion (being effective but not going overboard) I don't really know. I do plan on taking a chilbirth course offered by VHC so maybe that will cover some of the topics. If anyone has any tips, that would be great. Also, has anyone had a delivery with any docs from Healthcare for Women? Thx.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I plan on delivering my first child at VHC in a few months, and I appreciate both the "negative" and "postive" stories because I just don't really know what to expect. It sounds to me like the end-story from these posts (the less-than-positive ones at least) is to be your own healthcare advocate in terms of having a birth plan, being on top of your meds, etc. How exactly to accomplish this in a measured fashion (being effective but not going overboard) I don't really know. I do plan on taking a chilbirth course offered by VHC so maybe that will cover some of the topics. If anyone has any tips, that would be great. Also, has anyone had a delivery with any docs from Healthcare for Women? Thx.

I'm the PP who had the jerk anesthesiologist, but an otherwise positive experience. I think you nailed it. Wherever you go, hospital, clinic, dialysis clinic, cancer treatment center, doctor, whatever... you have to be your own healthcare advocate. Or have someone with you who is able and willing to take on that responsibility. The fact is, people change every day in a hospital. Today could suck, tomorrow could be great. And it may not even be just because of the staff. They could be swarming with patients today, and have 5 come in tomorrow to deliver. It is just so unpredictable.

In this case, I really think this is where a doula comes in handy. Because your SO or DH isn't going to, most likely, be able to walk into the hospital with a balanced perspective. It is a very emotional experience for them too. My birth with #1 ended up being almost as upsetting for DH as it was for me, when DH ended up in a hallway, alone, watching them pull out #1 while I was put under a general anesthetic. Even in that circumstance, a doula would have been able to provide moral support for him.

So we hired one this time. And I feel 1,000 times more confident going into this birth (which is yes, #2) in the next 3 weeks than I did with #1. Some of that is experience, but I tell you, a lot of it is my doula.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I'm the PP who had the jerk anesthesiologist, but an otherwise positive experience. I think you nailed it. Wherever you go, hospital, clinic, dialysis clinic, cancer treatment center, doctor, whatever... you have to be your own healthcare advocate. Or have someone with you who is able and willing to take on that responsibility.

In this case, I really think this is where a doula comes in handy. [\quote]

Yes, yes, yes. PP whose nurses didn't know she was in labor here. I was my own advocate (and I attribute ending up with a vaginal birth to my many insistences on letting me keep active.) BUT if you're going natural, you most likely will lose the ability to advocate for yourself. DH, in my case, focused all his attention on helping me through each contraction. Neither of us had a long term view of the situation. A more experienced L&D nurse or a doula for sure would have recognized the telltale signs of transition when I was there.