Little Co. of Mary (Torrance) or Torrance Memorial?

Little Co. of Mary hands down. I had both my sons there. It's like a resort with the exception of the pain and discomfort. The have also totally remodeled that area since my kids were born. It's awesome. Torrance Memorial I have been to for EM room visits etc. only. But I do know the hospital in general is just not nearly as nice ans LCM.

I had my baby at Little Company and they were wonderful! I am ready to have my second one there in about 6 weeks.

Good luck and congratulations! Welcome to motherhood.
K.

I gave birth to my daughter at Torrance Memorial 2 1/2 years ago. I chose it for a few reasons...

-My OB/GYN recommended it (but her office is also across the street from the hospital).

-I recall that Torrance Memorial can do a higher level of emergency type procedures - can't remember what it's called, but I think they can do up to organ transplants or something like that. I remember also reading that they're one of the top 100 hospitals in the country.

-Tor Mem has an anesthesiologist (sp?) on the delivery floor at all times. (Of course I was paranoid that I would need an epidural in the middle of the night and if the anesthesiologist wasn't there, they would have to call him/her who would arrive late and I'd 'miss the window'.)

FYI - The birthing room was very nice. However once you're done delivering, I had to switch to a regular room which is much smaller and not nearly as nice. So you spend your labor time in the nice birthing room, but then you spend your 2-4 days recovery time in the small, regular room.

I have heard good things about LCOM as well. Many friends have delivered there and been very happy with it. At LCOM you do not have to switch rooms after giving birth - you can stay in the comfy birthing room.

I would talk to your OB/GYN and find out why he/she prefers LCOM over Torrance Memorial. Oh and some of the things I mentioned above may have changed over the past few years.

Good luck!

my vote is for LCM - Torrance M does not compare - i used both - albeit several years ago, but i'm not talking facilities, the nurse's bed-side maners are so different - different corporate culture if you will.
Good Luck
V.

Hi M.,

Congratulations on your up-coming motherhood! I used LCM, and was pretty happy, though here are some things to consider:

If you end up with a C-section (as I did)the recovery rooms are in the "old" wing, and not so nice as the others(at least that was the case 3 1/2 years ago) though there was a bed for my husband, and it was just fine.

LCM really restricts access to their lactation consultant. All of the nurses are "trained" to help with lactation, but it wasn't enough help for me, and i really could have used a specialist, especially since we were there for 5 days. Because we didn't start off great, i had a great deal of trouble breastfeeding my son. If BF is important to you, and you end up at LCM, I'd ask ahead of time what it would take to see the lactation consultant.

You'll be fine whichever you use.

good luck!
C.

Hi M.,
Congrats on your upcoming baby!

We gave birth at Torrance memorial and were very happy with the experience. The birthing room was very comfortable, the nurse was fantastic and I was as 'comfortable' as I could be. I've heard really good things about both hospitals, so I think you won't go wrong with either.

Little Co. of Mary was amazing! I would highly recommend it to everyone. :) Good luck.

I had both my children at TM. I had a great experience both times. I had a private room both times, too. The nurses were wonderful. They answered all my questions and help me so much the first time around. The lactation nurse came in to make sure my baby was latching on properly as well as offer some tips for successful breast feeding. The first time I really wanted to meet with her. The second time around I was much more confident, but she still came in to check on us. Both hospitals are great; however, personally because of my experience, I would choose TM hands down.

I didn't give birth at either, but I've had other good experiences at LCOM. Everyone that I know who has given birth at LCOM has been happy with them.
Also I believe I heard that TMMC has a higher c-section rate - of course you may want to verify that if it is a factor in your decision. I'd say go with LCOM.

Oh but I understand that neither hospital has great breastfeeding support, so if you plan on nursing, definitely get your own support for that.

Hi M.,

While I have not given birth at either hospital (we deliver at Hoag Memorial in Newport Beach because my OBGYN is there...but we live in Torrance)...I have had OB experiences with LCOM, on an emergency basis during 2 of my 4 pregnancies. My most recent experience was 3 days ago at LCOM...it was spectacular! I had to go to the ER...but first up to LDR to have the baby checked out before ER would treat me. I had terrible food poisoning and was badly dehydrated.

They treated me SO nice and all of the staff in LDR was friendly and kind and gentle - they seem like they genuinely cared about my condition and the baby's as well. The room they put me in was the same room you deliver in and stay in after the baby - it was roomy and had a nice couch. Before that, I was there 3 years ago when I fell during my 3rd pregnancy and had to have stiches on my chin...but had to go to LDR first to have the baby checked out. Again, they treated me SO nice.

There is ALOT to be said for the way you are treated during your stay...especially when it's your first time. We are headed down the road again in August with baby #4 and can't wait!!

Bottom line is you need to go where you are most comfortable...see if you can get an individual tour at each hospital and meet some of the staff (don't know if they will do that)...but that might help make your decision.

Best of luck to you and CONGRATULATIONS!!

I would recommend you go with your ob/gyn's recommendation -- she may have a better relationship/privileges with that hospital. However, please note that Torrance Memorial has a Level III nursery (for higher risk deliveries), while Little Company is Level II. I delivered at Torrance via C-section and everything was great.

My doctor has privileges at both hospitals, but when I got pregnant with my son they recommend switching to Torrance Memorial as my hospital. He and his staff feel that both hospitals are good, but the nursing staff is better at TM. I had wonderful nurses both times I delivered at TM. I am sure both are great hospitals, but my sister in law did not have a good experience with the nurses at LCM when she had bleeding complications after giving birth.

I delivered both my babies, now 8 and 6, at Torrance Memorial, mostly because my OB is in the next building, seemed convenient.
I had good experiences - and at the time I delivered you'd be in one room for delivery, then in some kind of Hallway (weird) waiting for a room, and then finally you'd be in your room for post partum.
I have heard that they have since remodeled and that you will do it all in one room, just like Little Company.
I had 2 friends who delivered a Little Company - both very happy. And I have to say, when I saw their rooms - I wished I could have been at Little Company.
You'd have to ask yourself why your doctor prefers the one over the other. Is it because it is closer to her office, or that the staff is better?
I'd ask!

Little Company all the way. I delivered there, the rooms are beautiful, as well as great nurses, and I heard not as crazy as Torrance, and sometimes I heard you share rooms at Torrance Memorial. Good Luck!

Hello M.,
Although I love Little Co of Mary Hospital. I work there (not int he actually hospital but I work for the company). BUT I delivered my son at Torrance Memorial. It was a wonderful experience. My son is now 10. My sister as well as about 3 other people I know delivered their child at Torrance Memorial and for everyone, it was a great experience. No one had any problems at all. The nurses were excellent and nice and kind and caring. I was in a room by myself and they brought a little fold out bed from my boyfriend to stay the night. I had a c-section so I was there 5 days and they allowed him to be there with me each night. I like how you could go straight to the maternity floor...with the special elevator and so forth for when you go into labor. For me I got there about 2am in the morning. I didn't have to go through the emergency room like you do at Little co. My friend just delivered on last Sunday. I haven't had the chance to really get the details of what all happened and how she liked it just yet. So I'm not too sure.

But my vote is for Torrance. Go with your first mind. It's already stressful enough for it to be your first child and so forth.

Let me know what you went with and your experience.

Sincerely,
T.

I have had one baby at each hospital and I think LCOM is the best! My pediatrician's wife just had her first baby, and they went to Little Company. The nurses were super nice there, and the best thing is your nurse is the baby's nurse, which makes everything so much easier. At Torrance there are separate nurses for you and the baby. Also at LCOM, everybody gets a private room. At Torrance you have to share if the ward is crowded.

Hi...I'm sorry that I haven't been able to read the other posts...so please excuse if I repeat. I have to admit that I did not go to the tour of Little Company. We used Torrance Memorial. I was impressed by their set-up and their NICU. It was also the preferred hospital of both our OB-GYN and Pediatrician. (My pedi literally walks from her office every morning to see our baby while we were there.) I would encourage you to discuss this more with your OB...why does she feel inclined towards Little Company? Is your doctor associated with Torrance? What would be the impact on your care if you use Torrance, instead of Little Company? My OB told me that she had the clout at Torrance to get something done at the hospital. If we went with the other one, then she didn't know the people/system to get things done and fast. That was all I needed to know. We were very pleased with our care at Torrance Memorial. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Congratulations and hello!

I had my daughter at Torrance Memorial and also toured both hospitals. I have a few friends who had their babies at Little Co, and to be honest, I wish I'd chosen Little co as well.
The birthing room (where you deliver the baby) at Torr Mem was wonderful, big, pleasant... etc. However, the experience after delivering the baby was unpleasant. Here's why: I had to share a room with another mom and her child, and her guest(s). I didn't have any privacy the first two nights. It was horrible. This only happened because the rooms were all full. I suppose this could happen at any hospital, but all of my friends who had their babies at Little co had private rooms. So, if you like your privacy, go with Little Co.

Good luck!

I cannot speak for TM as I had both kids at LC. I had C- sections for both kids so didn't get to enjoy the spacious maternity suites for either birth. My first experience back in '03 was great - I had fabulous, helpful nurses, though the room was old and kind of dingy with a pretty gross bathroom. The second experience, last year, was totally different. The rooms had been remodeled, so no complaints there, but the nurses were horrible. Half of them didn't speak English that I could understand, and with the exception of one or two, they were abrupt and very slow to respond. I had trouble trying to nurse and no one helped me. One nurse even made me feel so bad that my milk hadn't come in that she made me cry.

Oh, and they couldn't find surgical tape for my catheter and used industrial duct tape instead. When it was taken off, it tore my skin and I had a scar for half a year.

I've heard that the nurses at TM are more "permanent" while the LM nurses are more contract, visiting nurses. Not sure I'm using the right terminology or whether that's accurate, but it's what I've heard.

I was a travel OB nurse at Little Co. in torrance and the nurses are great! The nurses are on top of their game and are caring with great bedside manner. They also are open to birthing plans and special requests. You can bring your birthing ball or other special tools to help you labor as long as your doc is ok with it. They welcome birthing coaches and doulas. All in all they really care for their patients and work well together. The L&D rooms are huge and comfy and you stay in the same room for postpartum (your nurses just change).

I had my baby at LCOM last year, the rooms were great, but most of all the nurses were AWESOME!

I gave birth to my 18 month old at Torrance but I am switching to Little Co. Of Mary for my baby that is due in 11 weeks. My reasons for switching are these:
- Torrance runs out of recovery rooms quite often and then your husband can not spend the night with you.
- From what I have heard, Little Company has a more encouraging, friendly staff. I did not care for some of my nurses at Torrance Memorial.
- Parking can be a nightmare at Torrance Memorial.
- Torrance Memorial has stricter hospital policies. Little Company is more flexible.

BOTH hospitals from a medical standpoint are excellent. It just really comes down to your preferences. You may want to ask your OB for reasons why he/she prefers Little Company. Both my pediatician and OB also prefer Little Company Of Mary.
Hope that this infomation helps!

Hi M.,

I had all four of my children at Torrnace Memorial. I had traumatic births for the first 3, physically. TMMC handled them all very well. I almost did not make it after my third child was born. The staff was great in labor and delivery! I would recommend them. I don't know much about Little Co. of Mary, but if your doctor is recommending them, he/she must have a relationship with them and knows the nursing staff.....which is a good thing. I think I recieved better treatment because of my physician. Anyway, GOOD LUCK! Congratulations on your little miracle.

Here is my 2 cents worth-- LCOM is probably a little bit more comfortable, and they are more friendly with natural birth. Torrance M will be better if you have decided to use epidural for labor. They are a little less fussy about getting the meds for you.

If your doctor prefers Little Company, I would find out why and see if you agree to the reason. I personally prefer TM to LC...