Oasis on the maternity floor
Tacy and CJ were both born in a hospital in New York. Both were born by c-section, which meant a four-night stay in a so-called semi-private room. For the first time since college – not counting Kyle – I had a roommate.Yes, private rooms were available – for an extra $500/night, which was not covered by insurance. Although I know a couple lovely ladies who sprang for private rooms at that same hospital, I couldn’t feature forking over the two grand it would have cost for the privilege to pee in peace. And so I accepted the roommate situation.
My roommates fell into two categories. Either they were patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for a private room, or they were unable or unwilling to cough up the extra dough.
With Tacy, I had two roommates in the latter category and one in the former. I spent one day and two nights with my first roommate, who was quiet, but her spouse spent both nights there with her. His prerogative, of course, but still not exactly comfortable for me, recovering from a long labor and subsequent surgery. Oh, and she named her daughter “Princess”.
The next roommate was waiting for a private room. She was thoroughly unpleasant to the nurses, which didn’t endear her to me, and her older child kept wandering over to my side of the room (even though the husband and nanny were present too). Fortunately, she left within a few hours, and the bed remained empty until the next day.
My third roommate with Tacy was nice enough, but she talked on the phone until late at night and kept her light on all night long. I was glad that I only spent one night in the same room with her. Oh, and her son’s middle name was “Respect”.
With CJ, I had one roommate in each category. The first one was waiting for a private room, but I spent a day and a half and one night with her. We actually chatted quite a bit, and I was sorry to see her go.
I was even sorrier when my next roommate arrived. The parade of visitors was never-ending, and they brought food. Lots of food with extremely strong, rather unappetizing aromas. They stared when I made my way past her side of the room in order to use the bathroom. And they talked incessantly from morning until night.
Then at night, she’d turn on her light and leave to go to the nursery to breastfeed. I’m guessing that her baby needed additional care because he was rarely in the room with her, so I tried to keep that in mind as I waited for her to return to the room and turn off the damn light.
Despite the fact that only one out of my five roommates wasn’t annoying, I actually enjoyed my hospital stays. The nurses were wonderful, the food wasn’t bad, and I really was quite comfortable. So when I became pregnant here in Colorado, I wasn’t expecting my hospital experience to be much different. I certainly didn’t assume I’d have a private room.
Imagine my surprise when, before announcing my pregnancy, I was talking with a friend who was only a few weeks away from delivering, and she mentioned that the hospital where my new OB-GYN practice delivered had private rooms.
“Private rooms? And you don’t have to pay extra?” I inquired innocently.
She nodded. “Beautiful.” A few others chimed in and agreed.
But it was only this past weekend, when we decided to drop into the hospital and check out the maternity floor, that I really began to believe that private rooms came standard. They didn’t have any empty rooms to show me, but the bemused nurses assured me that yes, all the rooms were private. As we left, one of the nurses waved and called out, “See you soon!”
I don’t care if the rooms are the size of broom closets, let alone whether or not they have views of the mountains. Just the fact that I’ll have one all to myself (and the baby) is enough.
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January 22nd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Gah. I think ALL hospitals should have standard private postpartum rooms. I had to share a room after my last c-section for all of one night and part of a day and it was HELL. Teenage pregnancy and her crackhead boyfriend all night long, man. I’m so scared to go back in March and have a similar situation. Does this make me an elitist snob? I would TOTALLY pay $500 a night for my own room. LOL!
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I didn’t have private rooms but I was lucky enough to get no roommates either time. The first time it was just a slow time for babies I guess, and the second time I was recovering from the flu – they didn’t want to risk putting me in a room with a new mom and baby.
I was telling the truth, but the flu thing – how would they know if you didn’t really have it? Hmmm?
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:37 pm
When I was pregnant, I would lay awake at night worrying that I wouldn’t get a private room.
When we found out that we had to get a C-Section, I actually called the hospital to see if I could “reserve” a room. They politely told me “no”, but that I shouldn’t worry.
I did end up with a private room, and thank goodness I did. I can’t imagine having it any other way!
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
You have opened up a whole new horrifying world of room-sharing! I didn’t know such a thing existed, and my heart goes out to you. So glad to hear that your next experience will be more pleasant!
Our hospital had just built a brand new family birthing center a year before my first daughter was born, and the rooms were gorgeous. Even though we’re moving away from our town in a year, if we have another child I’d seriously consider making the drive back for the hospital. Yep, it’s that good.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I don’t know if you’re at PSL, Rose, or other — but both of those at least are FANTASTIC. I’m sure others are good too — and in fact Denver was 5th on the list of best places to have a baby! Not that these lists are necessarily accurate, but I feel compelled to mention it since the list was announced today (yesterday?).
http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=84927
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:43 pm
For Fric and Frac I was blessed to have a private room. I naturally assumed I would when Bug came along. Wrong. I was saddled with the world’s most annoying woman who bitched and moaned to the steady stream of visitors she had about her daughter’s pointy head and then would gesture across the room and tell everybody that my baby was born with deformities and had to be whisked away to another hospital.
She didn’t care that I heard her or not.
I discharged myself that night against medical advice and told her on my way out that while my baby may have been born sick, at least it wouldn’t grow up ugly like her kid would.
(I know, not my most shining moment, but it felt good at the time.)
I’m getting so excited for you!
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:46 pm
The piss-poor New Yorkers among your readers are insanely jealous. You deserve it, mama.
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I love our local birthing center where I screamed out the kids. All of the rooms are private with fold-out couches, glider rockers, dvd players and flat screen tvs. There are two birthing centers in our tiny little city, and it’s fun to watch them compete with each other.
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Oh my gosh, I don’t know how I’d have reacted to sharing a room after my kids’ births. I’m a very private person in real life and can’t stand making small talk, especially when I’ve just had a baby!
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:05 pm
We had the choice of three hospitals, and all three had only private rooms. I guess if I didn’t know any different, it would be one thing, but to have a private room is divine!
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
While Liz and I were both very lucky this time around, my first experience in a hospital in the maternity ward (shared room) was one I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
Who would have thought 37 hours of labour would have been a piece of cake compared to the 48 hours that followed.
Anyone else have ‘lovely’ nurses?
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Private rooms are a beautiful thing. Not that it’s a very private experience but every little bit helps.
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Miss 1 was born in a lovely little country hospital, we had a family room with double bed for DH to sleep with us while we were there.
No. 2 will be at our city’s private hospital, where you get a private room and a candlelit dinner with bottle of wine, before discharge!!
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
My friends here in Mayberry are shocked that I had to share for my first delivery in NYC. I found it to be the ultimate in luxury to have a private room WITH A BATHROOM. My roommates weren’t too awful, but shuffling down the hall to take a shower … that sucked.
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I was so lucky to deliver in three different hospitals that were either all private rooms or that had private rooms available when I arrived. I don’t care for other people in my living space. And especially other people with babies and visitors and only one room and a bathroom, and after-baby fluids, and oh, dear God if I’d had to share a post-partum room I would have completely freaked out.
As it was, I treated the hospital like a little vacation. Especially after the first, when there were multiple children to go home to.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I delivered both babies at Avista (northern suburbs) and had a private room each time. The first time I was in a labor/delivery room and even though I ended up with a c-section I got to keep my room for recovery. For the 2nd, since it was a planned c-section I was sent to the old maternity ward (still private rooms) for recovery. The old ward no longer had a nursery though. And the nurses station was right across from my room. But really, that’s the worst I had.
But funny! I was talking to a co-worker whose wife is due in a few weeks. We talked about the hospital she’s delivering in and I asked if he knew that it didn’t have a general nursery at all. He the proceeded to educate me on how modern hospitals don’t have nurseries and babies should always room in, etc, etc. He talked as though I had my babies in the 1950s. I, personally, loved the nursery and the ability to get some rest even if baby just wanted to scream.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:30 am
I must be sheltered; I delivered all three in Portland Oregon at Providence and there was never a question that I would have a private room, plus nursery care option, plus my own bathroom. I thought it was standard! To Redneck mommy, I say,”you go girl!”
January 23rd, 2008 at 2:32 am
Do NOT ask why I am up at 3:30 in the morning reading blogs. he he
Okay, so as I was reading this I couldn’t help but ask myself over and over, “Five hundred? Would I do it or no?”
But after you talked about the lady who left the light on – and then, the other lady who left the light on…I SOOOOOO know I would have sprung for the $500.
Because that was the single most annoying part of any of my hospital stays. Though I had private rooms (by default), every single time the nurses came in the room they flipped on the light. It took everything in me not to screech at them like a banshee.
January 23rd, 2008 at 6:44 am
The hospitals my friends and family got when delivering in Indianapolis were practically suites. One hour north of Indy and I was stuck in a double with a vinyl recliner for my spouse. When I arrived to have my son, they warned me that they were completely booked and I’d have to share a room. Of course, since it took 4 days to get that kid out, the rooms were all nice and empty by the time I went to one!
With my daughter, I was alone, but they woke me up at 3 in the morning to tell me a woman was laboring and if she delivered before anyone checked out in the morning then she’d be in my room.
Lovely. (She didn’t, so I still got a private room.)
Of course, now that I’m done having children they are building a brand new hospital with lovely private suites that have refrigerators and microwaves in every room.
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:24 am
While the bed was not comfortable, the room was private – both times. I cannot imagine having a roommate at that time!
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 am
We were totally spoiled with private rooms both times around. I am sure you will really enjoy having a place to yourself (with baby and family, of course) — it will make all the difference in your recovery.
January 23rd, 2008 at 9:19 am
I am so happy that you are getting a private room. We booked one (a gift from my parents) and the week that I had Bumper the hospital had a flood and almost all the private rooms were ruined. I shared a room with the world biggest nightmare the first night but thankfully one of the last intact, non-waterlogged privates came free for the second – I can’t tell you how happy I was. Seriously, it bares repeating: I’m happy you have a private room, even if it’s postage stamp size.
January 23rd, 2008 at 9:56 am
OK, I guess I’m spoiled. I had no idea that they still had semi-private rooms for postpartum anymore. Here in Columbus all of the hospitals feature private rooms for postpartum, and have for many years now.
Enjoy that private room – it is nice!
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:41 am
I delivered in a NYC hospital – and had a miserable miserable delivery – which led my husband to spring for a private room. It was a great pleasure, though I still gag at the price.
Good luck with your delivery!
January 23rd, 2008 at 1:04 pm
See, I cannot BELIEVE That private rooms aren’t standard everywhere! At least, not in the US! Amazing… Enjoy your privacy this time around! It’s awesome…
January 23rd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
After reading about your roommates I am so very glad that the hospital I delivered at only has private rooms, suites in fact.
They recently renovated the birthing center at one of our hospitals and they are absolutely beautiful and don’t cost a penny more. The standard ones are huge because they are meant to accommodate through labor, delivery and postpartum. I was moved to a C-section room which is smaller because it is just for recovery and has showers instead of tubs.
I can’t imagine having to go through all that and then have to put up with crappy roommates too. I’d say you are definitely due for some privacy.
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
You know, I’ve been reading for months (although I rarely comment) and I had no idea you lived in Colorado. If you live in the greater Denver area, Rose Medical is a great hospital to deliver in. Both my nieces were born there. The nurses are awesome and all the rooms are private. If you need an inside scoop on any of them though, let me know. My best friend is a L&D and NICU nurse and has been at the same hospital (not Rose) for 12 years and knows people who work in a bunch of the others.
January 23rd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I had a private room the size of a hotel suite that was covered by insurance and I am eternally grateful…
January 23rd, 2008 at 9:37 pm
I was terrified that I would have to room in with someone after I had my daughter. Heck, I was scared I’d have to share a delivery room! (Too many movies and outdated books, I imagine….does ANYone have to share delivery rooms anymore?) Anyway, imagine my relief at the huge delivery room, with plenty of room to pace and whimper. And my even greater relief at having my very own (teensy) room for after.
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:39 pm
oh my god – DO IT. I ended up with a private room because 6/6/06 was a really slow day for births
and I couldn’t fathom having to share. Having said that, I still had to share a bathroom *and* my neighbours were damned noisy. But, jeez, if they’d been in my room? I think I’d've had enemies.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:50 am
I gave birth to Lizzy at NYU-Tisch and to Teddy at the Mayo Clinic. In both cases I went to the top of the list for a private room, because my husband was a physician at that hospital.
I should feel guilty for bumping off the other mamas. But I don’t.
February 10th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Looks like amy above and I were in the same hospital!!
With my son I had a double room but no roommates, but with baby #1 I had two roomates: the first was a single 20 year old mom. I had my baby after 28 hrs of labor and an emergency CS, and all the rooms were full. 5 hours later at midnight she is put in the next bed, where she promptly screams at the nurse that she wants a sandwich and why aren’t there any left, and that my husband can’t sleep in the same room (on the awful blue recliner) but her boyfriend should, and when can she go out for a smoke. ACK!! THen there was the parade of said boyfriend with his sick kids and mounds of food from burger king. This is when I couldn’t eat anything but liquids after the surgery. I did feel bad for her a little when she was crying on the phone because of some insurance changes that said she couldn’t have her old OB, but other than that it was a nightmare.
After she left, I had 6 hours of quiet before another couple came in. They weren’t so bad except they kept turning on the heater, which was old and smelly and I was stifling hot.
OH yes, did I mention that in between this there was a tornado warning and all of the Moms and babies had to go out into the hot stifling hallway for a half an hour? At least I was comforted by the fact that all the other new moms looked still pregnant like I did!
Oh well, those days are past, now I can tell my horror stories to every other pregnant Mom I meet, that is, until they build the new hospital!