How do people here get private rooms? Do they reserve them, or pay more for them?

In MI, they're all about birthing suites, private rooms, beds for partners, all that. I delivered in the midst of a baby boom. I could hear the screaming woman in the next room, though. She was shouting No, Puedo! Which the nurse told me means I Can't! Which cracked me up and got my whole rhythm messed up.

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Oh, I forgot to mention. For all that Pennsy. Hospital is known for their OB-GYN/midwifery care (and I loved my doctors!), the maternity rooms leave a bit to be desired. Or at least they did 5 years ago. Uggh..that was at first a little shocking, but thankfully I was out of there and walking home only after two nights (and this w/both of my c-sections!). So, I sure hope they have upgraded by now.
GMonkey, I don't think it's possible to reserve or pay more for private rooms. I think we even asked that at one time. They told us that they would do their best. I suppose we lucked out.

I lucked out and got private rooms both times- first time was a horrendous lenghty birth expererience culminating in a c-section so I think they gave me priority out of pity - second time also a c-section- I have a feeling c-sections may get priority on private rooms due to longer recovry time but that is just a hunch.

I would agree with this. I had a wonderful experience in January 06 and a horrific one Sept 07. My problems were mostly with the doctors, but we did notice that the nurses in recovery were far less helpful and attentive than with #1. But since it was #2, we also didn't need as much help - although I was recovering from some horrific things the doctors did to me. The nurses in the labor and delivery unit were pretty much equally on the ball.

My best advice is to take someone with you who can help advocate on your behalf. You and your husband will be in a vulnerable position and it's good to have someone you can trust. A doula would be my suggestion, but a friend or relative might work too. Frankly, next time (not that there will be a next time) I'm thinking of bringing a lawyer with me. After all, the hospitals don't do anything without consulting them, I should have the same protection.

Whatever you do, DO NOT EVER let a resident touch you. I just know too many people who have regretted that, myself included. If I ever encounter that resident again, I quite seriously wouldn't hesitate to hurt her right back. It is your right to refuse a resident.

Yes, the one drawback at Pennsy is the shared rooms issue (which, luckily I avoided as husband is a HUP resident). I do think HUP has private rooms, from what I hear.

But the MDs at Pennsy are amazing, and when we decided to start a family the advice from everyone we knew was was to go to the Mellen/Ufberg practice (down at Pennsy).

The nursing care was terrific, and, personally, we thought the OB residents there were very good (you will deal with residents at some point at any teaching hospital- just like attendings, some are great, and some aren't so great). But that was just my experience.

I am delivering there in late March.

I am counting on having a shared room because of the other hospitals that have closed in the area.

We were there in Feb. 2006. I was put in a double room, but the other mother was being discharged. Somebody had told my husband that if you want a private room, you have to ask. And ask he did. He asked over and over (but somehow the nurses still liked us!)-- and after one night alone in our double room, we had the next day and night in a private room.
When we were being discharged, the nurse said that they needed the room for someone recovering from a c-section-- so I think they do give that priority.

I found the hospital staff to be incredibly nice and helpful-- from check-in to check-out. My daytime nurses were great-- and breast-feeding friendly. The nighttime nurse was okay. I have a few issues with the lactation consultants, who otherwise have a great reputation.

While I was in labor, the table/bed I was on (before being moved to L&D) broke. It was new, and nobody knew how to fix it. Hopefully in 2 years, they have figured it out.

After my baby's birth, the L&D nurse (who was NOT the nurse during my L&D, but the next shift) took my baby to the nursery without my permission-- I was still incapacitated, and my husband went along with the nurse, thinking we were going to our room and that I would be following. He stood up to the nurse and said that this was not in our birth plan, and he took our baby back.

So, I had some good and bad experiences there.
Take the tour, if you get the chance.

And best wishes!

I had the same so-so experience at PH but that is not why I chose to have my child there. Although people do not like to talk about it, childbirth can be a dangerous experience. I had a high risk OB with a excellent reputation who only had privileges at PH. In addition, PH has an excellent NICU that is connected to CHOP. My friend who delivered at PH had serious complications a/f giving birth and almost died. I think if she had not been at a larger urban teaching hospital w/ its resources she would have died. Just a thought.

The only thing i know they give priority to for sure is if your baby has to go to NICU they always try to put those mothers in a private room but other than that it really is just luck of the draw....

I have delivered both my boys there - one in Dec 05, and one in Nov 07 (6 weeks early). For an urban hospital I think it is really great. On the tour we took in 05 they order they give for private rooms are mulitples, then c-sections. I'm pretty sure if your baby is in the NICU they try to give you a private room or at least pair you with another mom with a baby in the NICU.

I have had great experiences both times- the first time after i had to have a c-section because the baby was stuck after 3 hours of pushing - and all that time the nurses had me trying lots of different positions to get him to turn. I got a private room after that. The second time I had an emergency abruption and they had to get him out fast - so another c section. My son was in the NICU for 10 days and I had a private room again. Both times the doctors and nurses were wonderful - including the NICU nurses and the lactation nurses. Good luck!