i too am planning to use the birthing suite (due 9/4)...I'll post back here to let you know how everything went.

just curious, is there a midwife you've seen that you really like? or one that you would prefer to avoid? so far, I have had appts with Judy, Laura, Kim and Megan and have upcoming appts with Maria and Pam. Of these I felt Kim was the one I'd feel most comfortable with. Megan was very nice but seemed a bit green...

I am really glad to hear that things are good. Like I said I delivered my first 2 there and loved the staff.
Once I deliver my third at lakenau I will be back to the mid wives- I have always found them to be empathic and profesional- this male ob thing is a bizarre experience!

I had a male OB and thought he was great! I think females generally have more intuitive knowledge...but somehow the male OB who delivered my daughter was amazing. He was very gentle and "grandfatherly" and was truly caring and protective of me. The female nurses seemed exasperated that I wasn't "pushing the right way".

FYI--This wasn't at Pennsy, I just wanted to share that male OBs can be great.

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yeah I know- just generalising. I am in my last week of pregnancy and am cranky and feel like this one is just going to fall out the pressure is so bad. When I mentioned that he just laughs and mumbles something about "oh yeah that is pregancy" lke he knows.
- they truly cannot understand without the same plumbing- or alternatively I am very cranky and just want to be bitchy! between him and the people/strangers who comment on my size( random man on eleveator saying "wow look at you!" Really) I am feeling pretty homicidal.

I think that crankiness in the final throws of pregnancy--as well as the first trimester is completely understandable.

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I was quite confused with the change of the system and the use of the Birthing Suite. In the old system, you could not deliver at the BS unless you were being seen by the midwives. With the new system, it does not matter what practice you are in. Once you are in labor you get into their evaluation unit on the 3rd floor and from there if you are still low risk, you can request to deliver in BS. Your chances getting there depend on how many women in labor the midwife on shift has (I think it should be less than 6? or 8?)

I am seeing Dr Renbaum at Women's First (great practice BTW). I wanted to transfer to midwives b/c I though I need to in order to deliver in BS, but after I was told the system changed, I decided to stay with Women First. If I stay low risk, I'll just ask to be delivered by the midwife when I am in labor.

I had one appt with Midwifery though - I saw Susan, who I thought was great. She devoted a lot of time and attention to me.

Just wanted to update with some recent experience, I delivered my second child at Pennsy in early September.
Laborist system -- well, it turned out my doctor was actually there when I went in, so for me it was like there had been no change. It was a really uncomplicated and quick delivery so really I barely saw her.
The nurses and residents I dealt with were wonderful again, in the delivery room and on the maternity floor.
Shared rooms - yep I had a roommate. Poor gal, I think I arrived at my room at 2am and my guests left closer to 4am. She left the next afternoon, I had the room to myself for a night and I left the next day a few hours after getting another roommate. They were both pretty quiet and un-obnoxious, not as bad as it could be at all.
For people interested in the visitor policy and how it applies to husbands, it doesn't.

I delivered at Pennsy in late October. I labored at home most of the time as I live close, so I can tell for only the last 4-5 hours I spent in L&D. I was delivered by Dr. Gearhart who was AMAZING (this was the first time I saw this doctor). He turned my baby inside with his hand so he faces down as opposed to up (which is more difficult to push out). Also he was preparing (stretching and massaging) my perineum when the head was coming out. So, I had a very minor tear (I must say I didn't do kegle exercises so I was completely unprepared). Also nurses and the doctor respected my wishes. I got epidural in the last hours, which was administered very well - I could feel everything, could easily move my legs and use abdomen to push. No complications from epidural (such as backaches etc) after delivery.
The only complain was the post-partum rooms. I was put in a very cramped space, leaving alone that there was another person with a bunch of visitors. If you can, ask for 'B' accommodation (by the window), not 'A' (in front by the restroom). After I spent the first night and on the second day was in tears, my husband asked to switch rooms. My next room also was with a roommate, but I was by the window (with a bit more space and more privacy).
Every single nurse I had was super nice (as long as you stay on top of them and keep reminding what you need). Overall, the hospital met my expectations.

I loved Dr G when I was there. Nice bed side manner. He is the extraordiarily good looking one right? I am always amazed when I see a good looking ob!

I hear you on the man thing. Where do they get off acting like they could possibly know?