Has anyone had a c-section there since the construction began....? How was the experience?

No C-section but a regular delivery that *did not go as planned* - would never, ever recommend Pennsy (shudder).

I highly recommend HUP if you want to stay in Center City or Bryn Mawr Hospital. I've heard great things about Chestnut Hill, too, but not delivered there.

(Yes, I have 3 kids, all from different hospitals, thanks to the insurance situation that kept moving my doctors around - I "landed" at Pennsy by following my OB/GYN of many years when her practice left HUP. It was not good. She fled out of state. I went to Bryn Mawr.)

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www.taxgirl.com

My wife and I though that Pennsylvania Hospital was phenomenal.

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Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur

I don't mean to discount anyone else's experience there because I had heard good things going in. I just had a different - unpleasant - experience.

I gave them another chance when I was pregnant with my last child, convincing myself that it was a fluke - and my doctor's office was still delivering there (which changed about the time that I left). A multi-hour wait for my u/s, lost medical charts, a lost patient on my floor and a tantrum by the nurses in the hallway lead me to believe different.

Since that time, clients who have worked there have told me that Pennsy has experienced a serious turnover issue that has resulted in uneven care.

HUP was great - and I have personally never heard anything negative about it (though I'm sure there are stories). I would have delivered there again if my doctors were networked there.

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www.taxgirl.com

You might want to check the recent link below from the parenting forum regarding Pennsy Hospital and the changes. Best of luck - I am due in 4 weeks and am delivering at Lankenau based, in a large part, on what I have read.

http://www.phillyblog.com/philly/par...ity-floor.html

Hope the above works????

Thanks so much. I am delivering in about 4 weeks as well and just found out I will likley need a c-section. I am with the midwives and was supposed to deliver at Pennsy in thebirthing suite but now that I will need the hospital I am looking into other options. I have heard great things about lankenau.

Our first baby at Pennsylvania Hospital last summer was incredible. Great nurses, rooms, anesthesiologist, etc. We're going back this fall for baby #2 and we'll see if what everyone saying about it going downhill is true. We think the laborist model is horrible, but see no reason to switch to another hospital where we definitely won't have our doctor deliver rather than to stay at Pennsylvania Hospital where there's just a very strong probability that our doctor won't deliver. At least our doctor will be in the neighborhood and it will be comforting to have him stop by.

First child: emergency C section @ jefferson - horrible experience. Only 2 doctors on duty that night, mostly students and nurses were working. We almost lost our daughter. While I'm sure everyone there was experienced, I did not leave feeling like Plan B (C section) was well planned at all.

Second child: planned C section @ Penn - awesome experience. I felt the communication level was better in addition to a more enthusiastic bunch of doctors and nurses.

We had two medically difficult pregnancies and deliveries and two outstanding experiences. Whenever I walk by Pennsy I am thankful that it gave my children life - they most likely wouldn't be here but for the doctors, nurses and staff at Pennsy. When I had issues (all small in the big picture), I found the staff to be responsive, including a personal response from the director of operations. I think Pennsy is an outstanding insitution.

No Doubt that Pennsylvania hospital had World class medical care. I believe the OP (and correct me if I am wrong) was referring to giving birth in the L/D unit that is now undergoing renovation as well the "new" laborist model that adds midwifes and non Physicians to the call schedule. You are IMHO being forced to be induced or wait like a lottery for your OB/Gyn group to be "on call". I believe this model is flawed as most couples at Pennsylvania expect to see an MD from their group. Very short sighted for the optimum profit. Oh well, there are other options folks.