Bloomington Hospitals/Natural birth friendly? (Edina, Woodbury: obgyn, home, live)

[SWagner]

Hi,

I'm moving to Bloomington, MN from SC in August. Our 1st baby is due in Oct. Does anyone know if the hospitals in that area are natural birth friendly? Do they allow you to move around if needed, eat, drink, shower, ect while in labor? I want to have the baby at home, but it would actually be cheaper for me to have it at a hopsital. Someone tell me their experience!

S

[MNNative]

First and foremost...CONGRATS!!!!!

Well I had our first child at Fairview Southdale in Edina. I was admitted the day we went in for the 38wk visit because I had suddenly developed a variant of preeclampsia (HELLP) and was instructed to get to the hospital NOW for fear of severe complication. So, having shared that, it's quite possible my experience there was not the norm.

Anyhow, I was pretty much stuck to the bed and IV drip until she was born the next morning and after she was born I got to bathe, eat, etc. They frown upon eating because some women throw up during labor and...TMI...poop (another TMI-they suggested an enema)...though I remember doing the water and ice chip thing. You do go in for a "tour" and birth plan discussion so you can specify what you are looking for from your team and they should cooperate with you. For whatever reason I can't remember actually doing this with them...so my unpleasant stay is probably largely due to them not knowing what I expected of them (and also me not knowing what to expect either!)

Our son was born up at St Cloud Hospital and I will say I MUCH prefer my experience at SCH. Maybe it's because I sort of knew what to expect. Maybe it's cause it wasn't so life or death (I was actually induced that time around also --2 days before my due date-- because I had spiked in blood pressure 2 weeks in a row and my OBGYN was worried). It just seemed like a more pleasant experience overall. I was instructed to walk around but couldn't eat again and they did not suggest an enema. I think it's kind of the norm to not shower etc once the water has broken for fear of infection (could be wrong).

Having said that, we aren't going to take a 9 month hiatus from the cities when I become pregnant again so that we can deliver at SCH again...I'm back to my OBGYN in Edina and she only delivers at Fairview SD so I can only hope that I can take my knowledge from both experiences and create a better stay next time around. I'll add that I did get an epidural both times, but I requested them. I think most hospitals are good about not mentioning the m-e-d-s word if you say it ain't gonna happen.

If you are up for crossing a river come delivery time, I know people who have delivered at Fairview Ridges and really loved their experiences. Other than those, I don't know much about hospitals. And I only know one person who had a home delivery (she had TWINS!).

[golfgal]

For the most part all of the hospitals around here will allow much of what you want, except eating (as far as I know). They don't let you eat in labor because if you have to have an emergency C-Section and need to put you under you can aspirate the food in your stomach which can lead to your death--not a good thing. All of the hospitals have birthing rooms and whatnot and they usually encourage you to move around if possible.

[MNNative]

Originally Posted by golfgal

For the most part all of the hospitals around here will allow much of what you want, except eating (as far as I know). They don't let you eat in labor because if you have to have an emergency C-Section and need to put you under you can aspirate the food in your stomach which can lead to your death--not a good thing. All of the hospitals have birthing rooms and whatnot and they usually encourage you to move around if possible.

I could have sworn I knew someone who go to eat...maybe not. Well now I don't feel so bad---I remember I was so hungry I kept begging for food. Had they given me that answer I'd have shut up.

[disneyrecords]

Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury is known for incorporating natural practices with traditional medicine.

[JenLee]

Hennepin County Medical Center is said to be the most willing to follow all of the directives of the woman having the baby (according to CNM friends who have practiced in many of the local hospitals).

Bloomington doesn't have a hospital in it; but it's close enough to at least 5 or 6 hospitals that you can usually get to them in less than 30 minutes.

[icequeen2008]

Yup I am in Bloomington and we have no hospital but we are very close to fairview in Edina and Methodist hospital in Saint Louis park. I didnt have my kids in these hospitals but all have wonderful reputations. Good luck.

[babymom]

I would consider Hennepin County Medical Center. The Midwife Service definitely promotes natural births. They are very flexible about allowing women to eat, drink, move around in labor. They have a very low c/s rate and low epidural rate as well. Good luck.

[SWagner]

Thanks to all who replied! Your info is very helpful. I'll be looking in to some of these places! Any good/bad words about the midwife services at Health Partners Bloomington?

Thanks again!!

[golfgal]

Unless it is your only choice, Heath Partners isn't the best choice in the Twin Cities. There are better options.