Regions Hospital-any Experiences?

I delivered there in 2003 and was absolutely thrilled-- fantastic care, great staff-- had a very very difficult labor and delivery but they were right on top of everything-- ended up c section but not until i was ready for it-- gave me all of my options-- very team approach-- I couldn't have been happier with them.

S.

Hello

I had both my kids at Regions and we were all take care of. They were even hospitable to my husband as well.

I would recommend it to anyone.

Congratulations and good luck!

I gave birth to both of my children at Regions (2007 & 2009). I had great experiences both times. The staff are WONDERFUL!!

I have heard some fabulous things about St. Joe's, as far as low-intervention and a more holistic approach to birth. They also have waterbirth tubs there. Also, if you are close to Woodbury, I think Woodwinds hospital there has one of the best reputations in the country. (They are in the HealthEast network, like St. Joe's). I'm pregnant now with my 2nd baby and have decided to go the home birth route, myself. I'm with the wonderful midwives of Trillium Midwifery. I would highly recommend checking out homebirth options. It's just as safe as a hospital, much less chance of intervention and pretty much guaranteed that your experience will be a natural one. Midwives are skilled at evaluating the level of risk in a pregnancy, and if you are at low-risk (as most women are), there is no reason you can't safely deliver at home. If you are at higher risk for complications of some type, you will most likely know it well in advance of your due date and have time to switch to a hospital provider. And if an emergency arises or during labor itself, there is always a firm plan in place to get you to the hospital. Again, if you are a low-risk pregnancy, the chances of that being necessary are very slim. Just something to think about!

A.,

I can't comment on Regions, but I agree with those who recommend St. Joseph's. I delivered my second and third there with midwives (Generation's Women's Clinic), and had amazing care. I delivered both by waterbirth which was great, no interventions, and amazing nursing staff. Take a tour, ask around and see what you think. I was told they have the lowest C-Section rate in MN, and the nurses are VERY used to natural birth.

Jessica

Dear A.,

I would recommend Regions—here’s why. I think for the east side of the metro, Regions is the safest place. Their maternity ward is the only one in the state (and only 1 of a few nationally) that received 5 stars—IHI’s highest safety ranking. The doctors are in-house 24/7, so if you need a C/S they are not coming in from home. Timing is everything if things aren’t going well. The baby’s later brain power is directly dependent on how fast a C/S can be done in case there is an emergency.

Regions also has the largest midwife practice and very experienced (nice) nursing staff. I felt confident that the nurse could read my tracing accurately and didn’t jump to a C/S. On the tour, the nurse said they get annual education on fetal monitoring and the C/S rate is low. The labor rooms have telemetry fetal monitoring, so you can walk around or soak in the tub while in labor. I brought my own doula that provided massage with lavender oil—she was there only for me! Call me weird, but I don’t want someone massaging me that I don’t really know while I’m in labor. I want to know where everyone’s hands have been! I ended up not wanting to be touched when the contractions got really strong. My husband put a little pressure on my tight neck muscles—but only occasionally! I just needed to relax! Recovery happened right in the room with the same nurse. A lactation nurse helped me before I went home. The baby had a security bracelet on and so did I—we matched.

The NICU has single rooms. My baby didn’t have to go in the NICU, but I asked to see it. It was super nice and quiet. At Methodist, there was only a big room for NICU babies.

Regions has a Level 1 trauma center and the only Level 1 Peds trauma center, so I would want to go to Regions, if anything bad happened to me or my family. The ER is really, really good and hospital to the Minnesota Wild. The ER staff are at the games for fans too. The hospital has a nice Facebook page and seems very progressive.

Good luck!

Cheri

Hi A.! I lived in downtown St. Paul when I had my first son in '06, and delivered at Regions. I had used a midwife through St. Paul Healthpartners, so I was hoping for and planning for a minimal intervention birth as well.

Unfortunately, I ended up having a C-section, but I will say that up until that point, they were pretty good about being patient with me and letting me attempt labor, but the baby's heartrate had dipped a few times, and they sent in a doctor on call to discuss C-section with me. They didn't force it, but instead, I chose it because I was terrified for my babe.

I was disappointed that they were quick to hook me up to pitocin pretty early in my delivery, but my c-section and recovery went well.

The only other negative I experienced was that my room was so hot it was like a sauna and they were not very receptive to me requesting a fan or some way to get the heat down in there...I was incredibly uncomfortable, and a few of the L&D nurses were less than sweet. But it was also a stressful time for me, so perhaps I was a bit sensitive.

Overall, I thought it was a okay. Maybe a 7 on a scale of 10, but it was my first too, so I don't have any comparisons. I'm due in April again, and this time I'm delivering in Mpls.

Good luck!

-K.

Hi- I have no experience with Regions, however, we have had 3 and soon to be 4 babies at Fairview Riverside in Minneapolis and have been very pleased with every birth. No intervention births with 2 hopefully 3 babies and one 35 week baby and they were GREAT with having the NICU team in the room when I gave birth. I got to leeave the hospital in less time than "allowed" by the hospital. We work with a wonderful Midwife group and I loved all the midwives we have had! Let me know if you have any other questions or thoughts. Good luck deciding and don't forget that when it comes down to it, you will be giving birth to a beautiful baby your way! Make a birthplan and talk to your Doc about it to be sure they can meet your needs and wants!

It was average. The nurses were AWESOME, which was great since they do most of the work. They really rush you through this process. I pushed for only 1 1/2 hours and the midwife almost threatened me with C-section.
My assigned mid-wife was there for almost the entire time...then 15 minutes before my son was born, she passed me on to another midwife because she was off duty and didnt want to do the paperwork.

I will go elsewhere next time.

I too live in St Paul and I have had four babies. My first child I had at St Joe's. I didn't like the hospital doctor and switched doc's and Hospitals. I personally checked into Regions and United. I went with United because I was more comfortable with the reviews of the Maternity ward. It also helped that I had a cousin that worked there. However, my last two children were residents of the NICU unit. Not because they were premature but because there were emergencies with there delivery. The nice thing about United is that the NICU of Childrens and the Maternity floor of United are connected and I was able to see my sons as if they were in the regular nursery.

Hi,
I delivered my daughter at Regions 8 years ago when the birth center was totally new and had a wonderful experience. Regions is a very good hospital with loving caring nurses. Regions used to have a bad reputation but the hospital as a whole has totally out grown it. We get so many compliments ion how much better the service is at Regions now compared to many years ago. I think choosing Regions would be a wise choice, I know because I also work there.

I delivered both of my boys at Regions. The nursing staff was AMAZING!! So were the doctors, but of course you see more of the nurses.

regions is good for severe trauma...only..did you try st josephs?? its right downtown..they are excellent..care is top notch...their not a big corp.hospital-so the care is more personable.good luck...id rather die on a street corner than go to regions...

I have not heard very many positive experiences there. In fact, one friend that delivered there had the worst experience out of 4 deliveries she had (all four deliveries in different hospitals). But my sister delivered there and had an OK experience. I don't like that you have to pay for parking either.

I personally, delivered both my kids at Woodwinds and LOVED it!! If your insurance covers there-go there!! It was fantastic!! They are definitely a low intervention hospital, focusing on the mother during that time. They use acupuncture, massage, and aromatheraphy throughout labor and delivery. AWESOME!

Good luck! Wherever you go, you will do great!!

At Regions I checked myself out early and left b/c they would not let me rest after delivery. Shift changes and checking vitals every 15-30 minutes, throughout the day and night. That was 5 years ago now; maybe things have changed?

My first baby was at Abbott, which I loved. Nurses there were amazing, and we did need the NICU for some complications with our baby, so it was great to have it right there.

Either way, I would encourage you to plan on a midwife assisted birth if you want to avoid interventions.

My first was born at Regions with assistance from the midwives, and my second was born at St. Joe's. It was a night and day difference for me. The birth experience itself at Regions was ok (although very difficult!) but a few things I didn't like: you have to move from the birthing room to a recovery room, so following the very long labor we had to pack up all our stuff and take it to another room. Although I had midwives, I felt they were more inclined to push interventions than the midwives who practice at other hospitals. Also, the tubs are very shallow so you can't really labor in the tub. I also felt like they were in a hurry to move patients through, and after my son was moved to the NICU the nurses stopped caring for me, even though -I- was still a patient. The NICU, too, was not pleasant although they provide skilled care. They see a lot of babies that are in poor condition because of choices the mother made, and I felt they were not supportive of me until our third or fourth day in the NICU. Also, this may have changed, but if your baby is in the NICU there are no facilities for you as the mother - there's a lounge, and a small closet-like room with a fold out bed, and there's a staff shower in a janitor's closet down the hall.

My second was born at St. Joe's, with midwife assistance. St. Joe's has excellent medical care but to me somehow manages to not feel like a hospital. You deliver and recover in one room, unless you're using the water birth room. I found the nurses to be incredibly supportive and kind, and the entire hospital seems to have a cozy and caring feel - Regions to me feels much more industrial and stress-filled. St. Joe's has a level-2 NICU, so if there's a condition that requires extremely complicated care they will move you to United/Children's for longer term care. My daughter was in the St. Joe's NICU for a week. They provide a regular room for the mother for as long as a baby is in the NICU - comfortable bed, full bathroom with tub, TV.

If I have another, I'm going back to St. Joe's.

Good luck in your choices. We're blessed with an abundance of excellent health care options in Saint Paul. You can't really go wrong.

A., I had my first there and will be delivering my second in about 6 weeks. My husband and I both were very pleased with the staff and everyone was so attentive. We had a wonderful experience especially since we had no idea what to expect. I delivered with the midwives and they were very good, no discussion of intervention unless I brought it up. They won't give you an IV unless you want an epidural...I did not have one. I was able to labor in the tub, walk around and sit on the birthing ball. They were very "go with the flow" of anything I wanted to try, it was all up to me. No episiotomy, the midwives won't do them unless they feel it's necessary, it's usually not. Yeah, you have to move to a recovery room but not for a while. I was able to have the baby (9:00 AM), shower, nap and visit with my family in there until they moved me around 2-3 in the afternoon. The nurses moved everything for us too, with a cart. I was wheeled up in a chair and able to carry my baby with me. This was one of my favorite parts because anyone who sees you along the way stops to stare and congradulate you. Like I said, it was a great experience and I'm sure you'll have one too, good luck!

I had my daughter at Methodist in St. Louis Park, and drove all the way from Eagan to be there. I only wanted a midwife, no doctor involved. The midwives through Park Nicollet are fantastic, believe in natural births with little intervention or drugs. All of my friends have used them also.

Choose Woodwinds. They are known for their natural ways and they did awesome when I needed my emergency c-section. The acupuncture/massage therapists/and other natural healing techniques are great for your stay. Love the nurses there too!!!

Regions is great! I delivered at Abbott, due to the emergency nature of my labor but had chosen Regions. I witnessed my sister's first birth there and the midwife was a pro. I heard that for your values, HCMC is actually quite good - even though it is a county facility! I also wanted a non-interventionalist approach, and you can contact the local doula association to get stats on c-sections and stuff like that. I don't recommend Abbott because it's an old, ugly facility with a lactation nurse who was MEAN and rude. My room didn't have a bath tub, and they never changed my sheets.

I delivered my daughter there 18 years ago. And my daughter delivered there in May 2009. They were wonderful. She had to go in a couple times in false labor and the nurses were very patient with her. She did end up with C section because of too large of baby so she got extra time with nurses about breast feeding and helping care for baby. The nursery was very attentive to baby needs. He was jaundice and had some heavy breathing so they would come to her room just to check on him. I would highly recommend going to regions. Just remember where ever you go, People are more likely to write negative comments than positive.

Hi A.-

I can't speak to an experience at Regions, but I loved Methodist. It's a little bit farther for you, but it's a great place. I have never heard anything negative about it from all the moms I know who delivered there. I was like you and wanted as little intervention as possible. I was nervous with my first pregnancy to tell my OB that I wanted to go "drug-free". He was very receptive and actually happy that I was choosing to go that way. I delivered both my babies there completely drug free. The nurses were phenomenal!

Good luck!

Hi A.--

I had both my children there. Both were c-section and the care I received was unbelievable. VERY caring and supportive, yes they were in around the clock but they are just doing thier job. I remember with one of my children - there were two of us who had c-section and the nurses were running for the other moms who had vagainal birth and they were coming in to check on me and asking me why I was so quiet - I had major surgery and they should be running for me. ha!!! I love that they had specialist to help you care for your baby b4 you went home such as - bathing, dressing, answering any questions - providing all information/pamphlets about poop-colors/bowl movements what to expect and what colors meant - stuff like that - that I would have never imaged that are necessary to know. Remember to ask questions - write them down b4 your delivery and when your baby comes you can discuss - I really encourage that.

My husband was cared for as well. No complaints from him and they assisted him also.

It was more that I ever expected and very grateful for a wonderful experience with them and the care they provided for my children.

I had my son there in January of 2008, and I liked it. I guess since he is my first and only, I have nothing to compare it to, but I was comfortable, and have no complaints. I had a natural birth and was never pushed to do anything else. They didn't interfere with any of my wishes. I brought my radio to listen to music and wore my own clothes. I had 3 people in the room with me the entire birth. At one point I was asked if I wanted to have my water broken, but that I could wait if I wanted. I told them I did not want an IV at all and that was no issue. I walked around as much as I liked and went down to the cafeteria for a snack. It was very important to me to have the freedom to move where I liked and be in whatever position I liked, and the staff supported that. I was on my hands and knees at the very end, until my son was crowning. The midwife that delivered came up to my room the next day just to say hi and praise me for the wonderful natural birth I had. There was really nothing bad about it- I mean other than being in labor! The only thing they didn't have that I had to make sure to bring in was nursing pads. The staff gave me a few packs of newborn diapers and a ton of those gigantic maxi pads to take home when we left. They have everything you need and it's a comfortable environment. At some point in the future if/when I have another baby and am still living in St. Paul, I would go back there for sure.

I think the best place for natural birth in St. Paul is St. Joes. They have the lowest c-section rate in the city by far, the nurses are well trained and used to seeing unmedicated births (which turns out to be one of the most important factors in avoiding unnecessary interventions because of fear or impatience) and they have a great variety of good midwives and ob's to choose from. As for handling an emergency in childbirth, all hospitals are good at this. That is what they are trained to do. So I wouldn't use that line (a common one from the high c-section rate hospitals) as a deciding factor. Hope you have a beautiful birth!

We delivered at Regions just three weeks ago. I can tell you from first hand experince that they take all saftey mesures to make sure mom and baby are safe. I'm not sure if this is something that most hospitals allow to happen now or not. At my new mommy group with babys 14 out of the 15 moms had stitches of some point due to tearing. My personally I had an hour and half of repair down south and a totally of three people working on me. That was the totally sucky part. The nurses and doctors on the other hand we're very nice. Don't expect to get much sleep when your in the hospital, the people in the nursery want the babies in the mommys room as much as possible, especially if shes going to nurse them. In a way I didnt like it but on the other hand it prepairs you for what life is going to be like in two short days when they release you. I loved the secuirty measures they take as far as making sure you have the right baby. And that no other person has access to your baby, thats not supposed to. We felt very safe about that. I didnt like the fact that you pretty much walk in and out of the hospital on your own, an escort would have been nice, since my husband parked on the oppisite end of the hospital, walking was a chore carrying your stuff, babys stuff and baby. I will advise you to not bring a ton of stuff. My husband had to make three trips out to the car. Also if people want to bring flowers have them wait until you get home so you dont have to transport them and risk them being dumped over or the vase being broke. We had to take just as much care for the flowers as we did our baby. One thing that I wasn't impressed on was the fact that they didnt even come and check out our carseat, making sure it fit in correctly. I'm not sure if they just don't do that anymore or if it was because we we're released at night that thats why they didnt do it. I sat in the backseat and held our babys head up right. Didnt know until the next day that the carseat base had three settings to help with leveling of the base. I will tell you now that three weeks out of the hospital that the repair work down south is healing very good. I was very worried about that, at the hospital it felt and I'm sure looked horrid. But I think that was do the all the swelling.

I wish you luck with your delivery.

First time mom of Alexis

Hi A.-
There is a big difference between the overall Regions Hospital and the Birth Center they have there. The Birth Center is attached to Regions and it is really good and I think it wins awards. So make sure you know what you're Googling.

I delivered my first baby there. It was a very tough delivery, but the staff was wonderful and the accomodations were good too. Not to mention that they saved my life and my baby's! The location was good for my family as it's centrally located.

I had my baby at Regions Hospital and they were nice but I did not like that I had a midwife come in my room telling me to laydown and sleep.She was really rude.So do not have a midwife because she is suppposed to be in there helping but you can't have the father of your baby there.So not consider on having a midwife they are just are really rude.Anyways,the nures and docotors are really nice and they take good care of you and your baby.When I had my baby they were casping on how cute and adople my little baby boy was. So you have nothing to worry about.But really it is your baby so you can have it anywere you feel it is right for you.I hope that this helps you out.Enjoy being a mommy because I love being a new mommy.

A., I had my son at Regions 21/2 years ago, and we had a wonderful experience. I was being scheduled for a C-section, and in the process of waiting, a team of everyone came into the room and started to get me ready for an emergency C. My son's heart rate droped to 60 and was going down, I have never seen people move faster, if it was not for the team of proffesionals my son would not have made it. My son also has Down Syndrome, which was not confirmed until after birth, and everyone was wonderful, the nice thing is I was not bothered alot, but when I needed help I received it, but I do know that everyone has a different experience. I hope this helps, and congratulations