However, after our first appointment with our new Ob/Gyn it became obvious that there were some significant differences. Gone were the plush Beverly Hills offices of my Ob/Gyn in LA, with large exam rooms, offices with views up to the Hollywood Hills and sonogram machines in triplicate. Instead I found myself struggling to fit myself and the stroller holding my 18 month old into the tiny exam room and even smaller doctors office of my East Village Doctor. There was no sonogram machine to be seen and the view was the pavement and street-scape of 1st Ave.
That said, the real difference was not evident until we toured the hospital where our baby was to be born, Beth Israel Medical Centre. It was on this tour that we were taken into the delivery suites in the Labor and Delivery ward. When this had occurred in LA, at Cedars Sinai Medical Centre in Beverly Hills, we were told, "You are permitted up to 17 people to be in your Labor Suite with you during labor and birth." This was said with a deadpan serious face by our tour guide. Nathan and I were hiccuping trying not to laugh at the ludicrous suggestion that we would want or need 17 people in the room with us. I mean, if I had my way I myself would not be there. The question had to be asked, "Who has 17 people with them when they are giving birth?" This question was met with some disdain. "We have a lot of celebrity clients here at Cedars Sinai, and many come with their own camera crews." Of course! Only in LA!
In New York when we entered the Labor suite we were told, "You are permitted a maximum of 2 people with you in your L&D room." My response, "Two!? That could be pushing it if we also want a doctor in this room." The room was tiny and there was hardly enough room for the bed and the warmer, let alone anyone else. You certainly would not want to be claustrophobic.
In LA our Labor and Delivery suite had 180 degree views out to the Hollywood sign. In New York, no Labor and Delivery suite had no windows. In LA all rooms came with baths and showers, labor balls and inbuilt sound systems. In New York less than half the rooms had a shower and there were no baths or sound systems and labor balls were scarce. In LA all post-partum rooms were private with private bathrooms. In New York most rooms were shared with several semi-private rooms which share bathrooms, and only 2 truly private rooms for which you have to pay $300-500 per night extra.
On the upside for New York, we had a wonderful British trained Labor and Delivery nurse who was also a midwife. Juliet was with us throughout the labor and stayed past her shift to be with us for the birth. In LA we had 3 nurses and saw them only sporadically. In New York my Ob/Gyn stayed with me for much of the day suggesting position changes, getting out of bed, walking in the halls. In LA my Ob/Gyn was pretty much only with me for the delivery - Nathan described him as swooping in like "a rock star" for the good part.
Ultimately though, in both cities we came away with beautiful, healthy little boys and could not feel more blessed.
1 comment:
Apart from the fact that I'm confused as to how you posted this post on Jan 4th before Beau was born, this was a fun post to read :). So glad it all went well. Really thrilled for you.
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