finding out hospital info
 

I had my 2nd appointment with our midwives this morning, so we were able
to ask our questions about transfer for various reasons and the all
important filling the tub.

We found out that they have a relationship with a group of 5
obsetricians at Valley Medical Center in Renton, so for anything but an
emergency which necessitates going to the nearest hospital, they would
want to go there.

Thing is, it's quite far away, not far if you live in a a rural area,
but given we live near Seattle, a densely populated area with lots of
hospitals, it's a fair way.

We live 8 blocks from the birth center, 0.7miles, according to google
maps, so home and birth center don't make a difference. The local
hospital is under 3miles right down a main road and we're right near the
ambulance station, we'd probably be there in 10 mins if it was a dire
emergency.

Valley is 16 miles away, making it further than at least 4 other
hospitals that do births and have a highish level of NICU (can't find
the exact details).

There isn't only the distance issue, it's also the direction that
reliably has the worst traffic which would make it much more difficult
for DH if I was in for a few days and difficult for all of us if for any
reason the baby had to stay in.

I've read the webpage for the birthcenter there, as I have for the other
local hospitals and I'm wondering if there are independent sites where
I can get views and information. Obviously all the sites are trying to
sell the hospital to you, try and inspire confidence in all technology
they have etc. but they really don't give all that many details. Valley
does publish it's breastfeeding on discharge rate as 90%, which is
pretty good. But I could do with information such as c-section rate,
information about how many people use which methods for pain relief,
telling me they are all available isn't as much help as knowing how it
works out in the end.

If anyone as been there or heard anything about it, I'd love to hear
that too.

Cheers
Anne