[aquadejoe]

I would like to hear from women who have given birth in a Michigan hospital. I had my first child at St. Joe's in Superior Township a few years back and while I got an amazing end-result (my beautiful boy!) I was unhappy with "hospital policy" in regards to my birth choices. I am now considering other options for my next birth but I have not completely ruled out trying a hospital birth again. I would like to hear from other families who have had different birth experiences in Michigan and specifically if there are any hospitals near the Ann Arbor/Lansing/Jackson area that you would recommend. I ideally, would like to have a natural birth (VBAC) this time around and I am wondering if there are any hospitals who truly do support natural birth. Many hospitals say they are all for natural birth but then have a c-section rate of 30%-50%.

[tjay]

interesting thread! i did not have my daughter in michigan (missouri), but my experience in the hospital was definitely not one that supported natural birth. it was more like an assembly line, all ended well but i can't help but thinking the whole experience could have been much different?

[Smooth23]

I don't think you'll find many hospitals that truly support natural birth. After all, the more procedures, drugs, equipment, etc they can use on you, the higher your bill will be and the more they will make.

[jeeg]

Interesting thread. We had our first at United Memorial at Greenville and were not happy with the hospital. Kinda seemed mechanical and all about "procedures" even tho it was a natural birth.

Our last two were born at Marquette General here in Marquette (da U.P.) and we were absolutely thrilled both times. We have nothing but praises for the hospital, the staff, our OB/GYN, etc. etc.
Both of them were natural births and the last one was touch and go for awhile, but they completely respected the desire for vaginal birth and did everything in their power to make it possible (thank goodness the baby finally turned when he did!). That was two months ago

We're moving downstate and plan on one more (possibly at a Lansing area hospital) so we'll be following this thread with interest.

[tryin2buy]

Can't help you with this one. I delivered at Beaumont and wanted ANY drug available to get me through that one! My beautiful 6'1" 17 year old kid that I see very little of these days since I bought him a car. Grunts every once in a while but that's about it.

I heard the Henry Ford in West Bloomfield is like a 5 star resort. If I was gonna do it again (NOT) I'd check that one out.

[JGatti]

I'm a little biased because of how many people I know who work there. But DMC in commerce has a wonderful birthing center.

[aquadejoe]

Thanks for the responses. I am hoping for people who respond to this post to be a bit more specific with their opinions about hospitals in their area. My issue with choosing a hospital is that when I call around of course they all say they are fantastic and newly renovated with the latest equipment and a wonderful staff and blah blah blah yet what are the real statistics as far as what is their c-section rate, if they allow water births how many have they actually performed? If they allow VBAC's how many have they actually performed? Is it hospital policy to constant fetal monitoring despite what the patient may want? How respected did you feel with your birth experience at a particular hospital? I am looking for details because as I stated before, in my experience your ob/gyn will tell you they are all for attempting/supporting a certain procedure or lack their of but as soon as you step through the hospital doors all bets are off and hospital policy and insurance liability takes top billing. Do you think it is possible to have a natural birth experience specifically after having a previous csection in a Michigan hospital and if so where would you recommend? And for those of you who will say "have a homebirth then" I say I would love to but my insurance won't cover it.
On another note for those of you are interested in vbac support and stats please check out the Michigan ICAN website.

[tjay]

The Greenhouse Birth Center ~ Where families are born, gently.

i saw this place when i was pregnant (unfortunately i wasn't in michigan), but i'm thinking that its to the point where if you DO want a natural birth, you'll have to go to places like this or a homebirth. i cannot see any hospital EVER supporting natural births. in fact i have never heard of one happening there, of anyone i know. hospitals are too tied in with health insurance and the fear of getting sued. those factors will never allow them to 'think differently'.
even if you find a hospital that allows it, they're only going to allow it if everything is 'perfect'. and that never happens.

[GalFriday]

I gave birth at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo several years ago. There are two hospitals in Kazoo (at least, there were when I lived there). Bronson (Methodist) and Borgess (Catholic). I refer to Borgess as "Gothic Hospital" because of the style of the old building.

I am neither Methodist nor Catholic, so I didn't choose based upon religion. I had toured Borgess with a friend many years earlier during a college stint and we actually toured the birthing center there. Everyone was friendly at that time. Also around that time I had a boyfriend who had to go the emergency room in the middle of the night. Bronson was closest. I hated it. They left him for hours, didn't tell me anything (until one nurse finally said "oh - yeah, you can go back and sit with him") didn't tell him anything... Hated it.

So, when it came time for birthing choices, I chose Borgess, even though it was several miles further than Bronson. I can't compare it to other birthing centers since I've only had one child, but if I ever had any other kids, I'd go back.

The staff was warm, friendly, understanding, helpful. I was being induced (gestational diabetes) and so I was already set (along with some other couples there) with a room and all that stuff. I chose natural childbirth, and did not have the epidural. (Hindsight and all, I should have gotten it!) I did accept some pain meds after a while (I had a rough birth).

Regardless, everyone was wonderful. My nurse was THE BEST nurse ever. Let's face it, childbirth isn't that lovely picturesque thing they show on TV. Well, it wasn't for me anyway. There are a ton of medical people mulling about, it's painful, you're "open" to about a million strangers (especially when you've got student doctors that need to learn - they do ask if you want them there or not).

If you're not comfortable with your body, childbirth can be a humbling experience. I had to have surgery immediately following due to some complications. After that I was completely shagged out and feeling miserable. My nurse cared for me, comforted me, bathed me - and let me tell you, it's quiet a humblinig (or humiliating) experience to have someone else bathe you. But she was great, and kind and I think this is exactly how a birthing experience should be.

So - cheers to Borgess and the facilities. Great staff, great rooms, respected my options while still keeping me healthy and safe.

[aquadejoe]

what about Jackson area? What are your experiences with Jackson hospitals?