12 replies to this topic

[abundant love]

I ladies, I am hoping for a few stories from anyone that has given birth at BC women's in Vancouver, Victoria General, or Nanaimo hospital? The good, the bad, the uglyall that will be relevant. Our midwife wants us to make a decision by the end of the week.

If I hadn't waited so long and invested so much in this pregnancy and I might consider a homebirth, but that is something I just don't feel comfortable with right now, especially living on an island where in any emergency I would have to be airlifted out of here.

I would love to hear about your experiences from any of these hospitals. Some key points would be privacy, how you were treated, whether or not you had a shower or tub, did you feel rushed, etc...

Thanks so much for sharing!

[abundant love]

Ohhh, also info on cheap accom if you had to stay somewhere! Tx!

[Lulugirl]

Unless you or your baby are expecting some MAJOR (ie: cardiac/neurologic) complications, then I would not worry about being airlifted anywhere off the island.  Depending on where you live on the island, both Nanaimo and Victoria have NICU's and at the NICU in VIc will deliver and take care of anything over 24 weeks.  The only time NICU in Vic ships out is due to severe cardiac and neurologic complications or recently if they were full, they have sent people to Vancouver.  I understand your anxieties about not wanting a home birth, but I would plan a birth at your nearest facility.  I have heard that Nanaimo does offer birthing tubs and I know that Victoria does not. Stay close to home, it will be easier for your husband and family and for you when you are discharged if you are close to home.

[abundant love]

Thanks Lulu. I agree that we will want to be close to home. But we live on one of the Gulf Islands so no matter what we are going to have to leave.

Congratulations on your twins! Very exciting!

[Lulugirl]

I would go with the one that has the easiest access for you then.  Did you ask your midwife where she prefers?  She will likely be more familiar with one facility and the staff there.  As for cheap places, check out vacation rentals, you can often rent a fully furnished apartment for a week at a time cheaper than a hotel and they are much nicer!!

[babsicle]

I gave birth at nrgh. They have amazing rooms. They are private with your own bathroom and tub. You are allowed to labour in the tub, but are not allowed to actually give birth in it. I ended up staying almost a week after an emergency c section. I found my care was great, not rushed at all. Even the food was pretty good (and I'm gluten free). Let me know if you have further questions.

[Raspberry]

I heard amazing things about NRGH. Silverdollar and Saffy had their babies there...and when I read their birth stories I wished Vancouver had a hospital like that. Every room is private and from the pictures it doesn't look like a hospital room...rather a big nice hotel room...with huge windows and window seats...large bathrooms etc.
I heard awful things about women's...if you can avoid Van please do. All the hospitals are crowded and busy like crazy...and ran down...old old prison like. Our room at St Paul's was like a real prison room with huge metal bars...and dark and facing a brick wall...awful...!!!

[Raspberry]

I only had my D&C at Vic General...can't say much about it....the only plus...you might end up having a baby when Dr H is on call....and that would be Amazing!!!

[Raspberry]

Oh and bc you are travelling with "medical" reason pls ask your midwife about the TAP form....travel assistance program...so your ferry and accommodation is free...

[Lulugirl]

Dr H doesn't do call at VGH anymore, but Dr G does a few shifts a month.  Good luck, hopefully you will have no issues and be in and out quickly anyway.

[rollergirl]

I was at Victoria General and was heloed over to BC Women's as they are the most expertise in the province and for that I was grateful.I was at BC women's for 2 months before I delivered as I was an extreme case.  I liked the fact they had walking epidurals at BC women's and just now getting them at VGH i am told. I had a good birthing experience at BC Womens' .....

 

I think that you will be either at Nanaimo or Victoria if there is room....they usually save BC Women's for the most complex cases and only if the Island is full... and the ones that are not close to a NICU Level 3 at all.....

 

And I can not speak about privacy as I delivered in the OR with 15 people attending....so a bit extreme but needed that many people on hand that were training and 3 specialists for my own twin as they did not know what fully what to expect....

 

Good luck to whatever happens and before you know it little one will be here!!

[smurfette_w]

i had a good experience at Women's, but have nothing to compare with.  The doctors were all very nice, funny and helpful, and the nurses who were with me were top-notch.  I had an epidural at 2am, the nurse told me to take a nap because I won't be pushing until 8am (I was in the high-risk room due to a mild fever), and made sure I was comfortable.  She then turned down the lights for me, turned on her little lamp by the monitoring equipment and basically took my vitals and looked at the monitor the whole time until it was time to push.  I thought that was a lot of dedication, but I guess that's also her job.  Of course, I've heard of other stories as well, so it's really hard to say, but I had a good experience overall.  We had a private room luckily after the birth, and the nurses never rushed us out of there, but it did feel like they were coming in every hour to check how I was healing and how the baby was doing, or taking blood, or measurements, or teaching us how to take care of the baby, so it was difficult to have a lot of rest, but I think that is all normal.  However, they didn't get me started on pumping at the hospital even though my milk had not come in yet, and I really wish they did.

 

Oh, I will say it's not very private at Women's because it's a teaching hospital, so I had a student doctor stick his hand up me to learn how to measure cervix dilation (they asked me first and I agreed because I had the epidural and it didn't hurt, and I was happy to help someone learn because how else will they?)  And also, when I had the vacuum assist, I had probably 9 people in the room watching because there were several student doctors who were there to observe.  And then I had a resident doctor stitch me after the birth and it probably took 20 minutes (felt like forever).  I can't remember if the OB finished the stitching or if he just came to inspect after the resident was finished, but when I went for my 8 week check up at my OB, she said they did a really good job, can't even tell I had any stitches to begin with.  Overall, I was happy with Women's.

[abundant love]

This is so helpful. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to respond with their experiences! I am definitely getting some good information here.