GW Nursery

[Anonymous]

FWIW, take every post with a grain of salt (including mine). I had a wonderful experience at GW and will be going back for when I deliver my second. I thought the postpartum care was superb and didn't mind staying with my baby (though I did not have a c-section). Yes, the chair for your spouse is uncomfortable and the food sucks, but there is a whole foods a block away so I never ate the hospital food anyway.

Most of the posters that respond to GW questions have something negative to say because people are more likely to leave negative reviews than positive ones (don't believe me? check out Yelp). I am sure there have been plenty of bad experiences at all the hospitals. Just know that there are good experiences as well. You just do not hear about them as often.

[Anonymous]

I'm the OP from back in August. This is great news! Thanks to everyone for updating the thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was awake 50 hours straight (full workday, then long labor) and then given my baby to care for the first night at GW. I was delirious and could have easily been one of the moms who dropped their baby. I could hardly walk or see straight to get up for feeds I was so tired and nurses never offered to take her so I could rest. It’s about time they brought back the nursery, but shame on them for having ever gotten rid of it in the first place.

+1. Similar experience. It was a lawsuit waiting to happen. I would have absolutely sued if I had hurt my baby given GW was forcing me to take care of it by myself when I'd just had surgery and had been awake for days. Oh and I was on opioids. I remember feeling dizzy multiple times when I stood up to get my baby to breastfeed and could have easily fallen with the baby in my arms. Giving a post csection mom strong pain pills and then leaving and closing the door to the room while the baby is across the room and the csection mom has to painfully make it over to the baby is criminal.

Geez, people. Where are your partners, doulas, friends? I’m glad the nursery is an option now, but I think people shouldn’t be putting 100% of the responsibility for newborn care on the hospital.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shame on them prior poster?
The well baby “respite” nursery was closed at GW in 2013 in order to expand the number of NICU beds for sick babies.

Shame on the city for requiring hospitals to get certificates of need that take over two years to increase the number of beds they have.

The city is in complete crisis due to UMC and Providence shutting down their maternity wards without a plan in place.
That is another story.

GW does not have the “baby friendly designation.”
They want you to room in yes.
The respite nursery is open now because the certificate went through.
Put a sign on your door.
Med student no longer round on you.
They may with the pediatrician but not alone.
Make sure the managers know how much you like the nursery.

Ok so apparently you work for the hospital. And yes, shame on them. They did have a baby friendly designation when I delivered there in 2016 and touted it proudly. 5 babies dropped? There is no excuse for that and each time is one time too many.. Their ratios for postpartum sucked when I delivered. I think each RN had like 5 mother baby couplets. There is no way to deliver quality nursing care with a ratio that high.

That ratio doesn’t seem high to me at all. Are you a nurse? And of course every dropped baby is regrettable but there is a cost/benefit analysis here on how much to spend on nurses, nurseries, etc. I don’t think every dropped baby is seriously injured. People drop babies once they go home, too. I think people are going a little psycho on GW here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Haven't given birth there yet (36 weeks now) but for what it's worth, I asked at the hospital tour a few weeks ago about their nursery. I got a fairly condescending response from the tour guide indicating that there was no more nursery because it's so much better for mom and baby to establish breastfeeding if the baby rooms in. This is not my first baby, but first at GW, and was annoyed at the response.

Dear god stay a million miles away from this hospital.

I had two excellent high-risk deliveries at this hospital and felt very well taken care of, medically speaking. My babies spent time in the NICU, so I can't speak to the nursery issue, but it sounds like they've reopened the nursery, so it's a non-issue now.

[Anonymous]

and i'm the OP that re-upped the thread, great to hear the nursery is an option and comforting to hear the positives as well (and to watch for the negatives).

[Anonymous]

Delivered at GW in June. No nursery, but the nurses took my baby for a few hours overnight so I could sleep! No C-Section, for what it's worth. You just have to ask (nicely?)... I really enjoyed the postpartum care there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was awake 50 hours straight (full workday, then long labor) and then given my baby to care for the first night at GW. I was delirious and could have easily been one of the moms who dropped their baby. I could hardly walk or see straight to get up for feeds I was so tired and nurses never offered to take her so I could rest. It’s about time they brought back the nursery, but shame on them for having ever gotten rid of it in the first place.

+1. Similar experience. It was a lawsuit waiting to happen. I would have absolutely sued if I had hurt my baby given GW was forcing me to take care of it by myself when I'd just had surgery and had been awake for days. Oh and I was on opioids. I remember feeling dizzy multiple times when I stood up to get my baby to breastfeed and could have easily fallen with the baby in my arms. Giving a post csection mom strong pain pills and then leaving and closing the door to the room while the baby is across the room and the csection mom has to painfully make it over to the baby is criminal.

Geez, people. Where are your partners, doulas, friends? I’m glad the nursery is an option now, but I think people shouldn’t be putting 100% of the responsibility for newborn care on the hospital.

I know I did all the work and went through all the labor, but my DH was awake the entire time with me. He was stressed during the labor too and running around getting me ice chips and massaging me. We both worked a full 9 hour day, then went to the hospital for our induction, then were up for 34 hours in labor. It was at least 42 hours until either of us got an ounce of sleep. My story is super common. DH was too tired to hold the baby and so was I. When I delivered, I had medical complications so they didn't let family members in the room, so it was just DH trying to soothe the baby. Also, room was too small for a team of grandparents to come in and I needed sleep. Grandparents holding my baby would have hindered sleep. Why should I have to hire a doula to hold my baby for me? Why aren't nurses there to assist? My delivery was 29k! Surely that should have had some nurse support included.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was awake 50 hours straight (full workday, then long labor) and then given my baby to care for the first night at GW. I was delirious and could have easily been one of the moms who dropped their baby. I could hardly walk or see straight to get up for feeds I was so tired and nurses never offered to take her so I could rest. It’s about time they brought back the nursery, but shame on them for having ever gotten rid of it in the first place.

+1. Similar experience. It was a lawsuit waiting to happen. I would have absolutely sued if I had hurt my baby given GW was forcing me to take care of it by myself when I'd just had surgery and had been awake for days. Oh and I was on opioids. I remember feeling dizzy multiple times when I stood up to get my baby to breastfeed and could have easily fallen with the baby in my arms. Giving a post csection mom strong pain pills and then leaving and closing the door to the room while the baby is across the room and the csection mom has to painfully make it over to the baby is criminal.

Geez, people. Where are your partners, doulas, friends? I’m glad the nursery is an option now, but I think people shouldn’t be putting 100% of the responsibility for newborn care on the hospital.

I know I did all the work and went through all the labor, but my DH was awake the entire time with me. He was stressed during the labor too and running around getting me ice chips and massaging me. We both worked a full 9 hour day, then went to the hospital for our induction, then were up for 34 hours in labor. It was at least 42 hours until either of us got an ounce of sleep. My story is super common. DH was too tired to hold the baby and so was I. When I delivered, I had medical complications so they didn't let family members in the room, so it was just DH trying to soothe the baby. Also, room was too small for a team of grandparents to come in and I needed sleep. Grandparents holding my baby would have hindered sleep. Why should I have to hire a doula to hold my baby for me? Why aren't nurses there to assist? My delivery was 29k! Surely that should have had some nurse support included.

A couple of options: Let the baby cry. Your husband drinks a Red Bull or two and mans up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was awake 50 hours straight (full workday, then long labor) and then given my baby to care for the first night at GW. I was delirious and could have easily been one of the moms who dropped their baby. I could hardly walk or see straight to get up for feeds I was so tired and nurses never offered to take her so I could rest. It’s about time they brought back the nursery, but shame on them for having ever gotten rid of it in the first place.

+1. Similar experience. It was a lawsuit waiting to happen. I would have absolutely sued if I had hurt my baby given GW was forcing me to take care of it by myself when I'd just had surgery and had been awake for days. Oh and I was on opioids. I remember feeling dizzy multiple times when I stood up to get my baby to breastfeed and could have easily fallen with the baby in my arms. Giving a post csection mom strong pain pills and then leaving and closing the door to the room while the baby is across the room and the csection mom has to painfully make it over to the baby is criminal.

Geez, people. Where are your partners, doulas, friends? I’m glad the nursery is an option now, but I think people shouldn’t be putting 100% of the responsibility for newborn care on the hospital.

I know I did all the work and went through all the labor, but my DH was awake the entire time with me. He was stressed during the labor too and running around getting me ice chips and massaging me. We both worked a full 9 hour day, then went to the hospital for our induction, then were up for 34 hours in labor. It was at least 42 hours until either of us got an ounce of sleep. My story is super common. DH was too tired to hold the baby and so was I. When I delivered, I had medical complications so they didn't let family members in the room, so it was just DH trying to soothe the baby. Also, room was too small for a team of grandparents to come in and I needed sleep. Grandparents holding my baby would have hindered sleep. Why should I have to hire a doula to hold my baby for me? Why aren't nurses there to assist? My delivery was 29k! Surely that should have had some nurse support included.

Did you ASK a nurse for help?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was awake 50 hours straight (full workday, then long labor) and then given my baby to care for the first night at GW. I was delirious and could have easily been one of the moms who dropped their baby. I could hardly walk or see straight to get up for feeds I was so tired and nurses never offered to take her so I could rest. It’s about time they brought back the nursery, but shame on them for having ever gotten rid of it in the first place.

+1. Similar experience. It was a lawsuit waiting to happen. I would have absolutely sued if I had hurt my baby given GW was forcing me to take care of it by myself when I'd just had surgery and had been awake for days. Oh and I was on opioids. I remember feeling dizzy multiple times when I stood up to get my baby to breastfeed and could have easily fallen with the baby in my arms. Giving a post csection mom strong pain pills and then leaving and closing the door to the room while the baby is across the room and the csection mom has to painfully make it over to the baby is criminal.

Geez, people. Where are your partners, doulas, friends? I’m glad the nursery is an option now, but I think people shouldn’t be putting 100% of the responsibility for newborn care on the hospital.

my husband was taking care of my other kids and i don't have friends in the area. it is absolutely 100% responsibility of the hospital to care for the newborn for the 2-3 days they are actually in the hospital. it's what is done in civilized world and mothers often spend longer in hospitals here (because one day doesn't cost 10k).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was awake 50 hours straight (full workday, then long labor) and then given my baby to care for the first night at GW. I was delirious and could have easily been one of the moms who dropped their baby. I could hardly walk or see straight to get up for feeds I was so tired and nurses never offered to take her so I could rest. It’s about time they brought back the nursery, but shame on them for having ever gotten rid of it in the first place.

+1. Similar experience. It was a lawsuit waiting to happen. I would have absolutely sued if I had hurt my baby given GW was forcing me to take care of it by myself when I'd just had surgery and had been awake for days. Oh and I was on opioids. I remember feeling dizzy multiple times when I stood up to get my baby to breastfeed and could have easily fallen with the baby in my arms. Giving a post csection mom strong pain pills and then leaving and closing the door to the room while the baby is across the room and the csection mom has to painfully make it over to the baby is criminal.

Geez, people. Where are your partners, doulas, friends? I’m glad the nursery is an option now, but I think people shouldn’t be putting 100% of the responsibility for newborn care on the hospital.

I know I did all the work and went through all the labor, but my DH was awake the entire time with me. He was stressed during the labor too and running around getting me ice chips and massaging me. We both worked a full 9 hour day, then went to the hospital for our induction, then were up for 34 hours in labor. It was at least 42 hours until either of us got an ounce of sleep. My story is super common. DH was too tired to hold the baby and so was I. When I delivered, I had medical complications so they didn't let family members in the room, so it was just DH trying to soothe the baby. Also, room was too small for a team of grandparents to come in and I needed sleep. Grandparents holding my baby would have hindered sleep. Why should I have to hire a doula to hold my baby for me? Why aren't nurses there to assist? My delivery was 29k! Surely that should have had some nurse support included.

A couple of options: Let the baby cry. Your husband drinks a Red Bull or two and mans up.

Well the baby did cry (in DH's arms) and the nurses came in and yelled at us at 3am and told us I needed to breastfeed more. I didn't have milk yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was awake 50 hours straight (full workday, then long labor) and then given my baby to care for the first night at GW. I was delirious and could have easily been one of the moms who dropped their baby. I could hardly walk or see straight to get up for feeds I was so tired and nurses never offered to take her so I could rest. It’s about time they brought back the nursery, but shame on them for having ever gotten rid of it in the first place.

+1. Similar experience. It was a lawsuit waiting to happen. I would have absolutely sued if I had hurt my baby given GW was forcing me to take care of it by myself when I'd just had surgery and had been awake for days. Oh and I was on opioids. I remember feeling dizzy multiple times when I stood up to get my baby to breastfeed and could have easily fallen with the baby in my arms. Giving a post csection mom strong pain pills and then leaving and closing the door to the room while the baby is across the room and the csection mom has to painfully make it over to the baby is criminal.

Geez, people. Where are your partners, doulas, friends? I’m glad the nursery is an option now, but I think people shouldn’t be putting 100% of the responsibility for newborn care on the hospital.

I know I did all the work and went through all the labor, but my DH was awake the entire time with me. He was stressed during the labor too and running around getting me ice chips and massaging me. We both worked a full 9 hour day, then went to the hospital for our induction, then were up for 34 hours in labor. It was at least 42 hours until either of us got an ounce of sleep. My story is super common. DH was too tired to hold the baby and so was I. When I delivered, I had medical complications so they didn't let family members in the room, so it was just DH trying to soothe the baby. Also, room was too small for a team of grandparents to come in and I needed sleep. Grandparents holding my baby would have hindered sleep. Why should I have to hire a doula to hold my baby for me? Why aren't nurses there to assist? My delivery was 29k! Surely that should have had some nurse support included.

A couple of options: Let the baby cry. Your husband drinks a Red Bull or two and mans up.

Well the baby did cry (in DH's arms) and the nurses came in and yelled at us at 3am and told us I needed to breastfeed more. I didn't have milk yet.

Yes, I’m sure they literally “yelled” at you. Get over yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was awake 50 hours straight (full workday, then long labor) and then given my baby to care for the first night at GW. I was delirious and could have easily been one of the moms who dropped their baby. I could hardly walk or see straight to get up for feeds I was so tired and nurses never offered to take her so I could rest. It’s about time they brought back the nursery, but shame on them for having ever gotten rid of it in the first place.

+1. Similar experience. It was a lawsuit waiting to happen. I would have absolutely sued if I had hurt my baby given GW was forcing me to take care of it by myself when I'd just had surgery and had been awake for days. Oh and I was on opioids. I remember feeling dizzy multiple times when I stood up to get my baby to breastfeed and could have easily fallen with the baby in my arms. Giving a post csection mom strong pain pills and then leaving and closing the door to the room while the baby is across the room and the csection mom has to painfully make it over to the baby is criminal.

Geez, people. Where are your partners, doulas, friends? I’m glad the nursery is an option now, but I think people shouldn’t be putting 100% of the responsibility for newborn care on the hospital.

my husband was taking care of my other kids and i don't have friends in the area. it is absolutely 100% responsibility of the hospital to care for the newborn for the 2-3 days they are actually in the hospital. it's what is done in civilized world and mothers often spend longer in hospitals here (because one day doesn't cost 10k).

This, this, so much this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was awake 50 hours straight (full workday, then long labor) and then given my baby to care for the first night at GW. I was delirious and could have easily been one of the moms who dropped their baby. I could hardly walk or see straight to get up for feeds I was so tired and nurses never offered to take her so I could rest. It’s about time they brought back the nursery, but shame on them for having ever gotten rid of it in the first place.

+1. Similar experience. It was a lawsuit waiting to happen. I would have absolutely sued if I had hurt my baby given GW was forcing me to take care of it by myself when I'd just had surgery and had been awake for days. Oh and I was on opioids. I remember feeling dizzy multiple times when I stood up to get my baby to breastfeed and could have easily fallen with the baby in my arms. Giving a post csection mom strong pain pills and then leaving and closing the door to the room while the baby is across the room and the csection mom has to painfully make it over to the baby is criminal.

Geez, people. Where are your partners, doulas, friends? I’m glad the nursery is an option now, but I think people shouldn’t be putting 100% of the responsibility for newborn care on the hospital.

my husband was taking care of my other kids and i don't have friends in the area. it is absolutely 100% responsibility of the hospital to care for the newborn for the 2-3 days they are actually in the hospital. it's what is done in civilized world and mothers often spend longer in hospitals here (because one day doesn't cost 10k).

They ARE caring for the newborn. I delivered at GW sans nursery. They check on the newborn for all sorts of tests, etc. just because they’re not cradling the newborn lovingly in their arms so you can sleep does not mean they are not providing care.