I had both my children here and my 3rd will be born here too. Absolutely have had wonderful experiences here. Almost didn't want to leave all the pampering.
Had all four kids here and wouldn't have it any other way.
At approximately 2:00am my husband and I went into the Labor and Delivery department. I was having consistent, regular contractions, began active labor, and was 39 weeks and 2 days pregnant. I checked in with triage, and my midwife, Diane Clevenger in the triage department. I asked to be admitted so I could labor in the room and in the tub. Diane Clevenger told me and my husband that they were very full and if I refused a cervical exam (which I had discussed my wish to abstain from a cervical exam since the start of my pregnancy in July 2016, and periodically and frequently reminded the Midwifes about my wish to abstain from a cervical exam, to which both signed off on and agreed upon on my Birth Plan), that I could "Labor in the hallway, because they were very full". I explained again, that I was in active regular, baby would be coming in the next few hours, and that I did not want to labor in an unsanitary hallway, and preferred to be in a room, where I could be comfortable, in peace, and labor in the bathtub to ease the contractions. Again, I was met with bullying and denial of care. that if I did not have a cervical exam, my only option was to labor in the hallway.
Got in fast doctor seemed very concerned which in turn helped my daughter feel comfortable
Up on the labor and delivery floor, my nurses name was Katie Warner. SHE WAS AMAZING! she was so helpful. Never complained when I needed her help. She was always smiling. And she didn't mind my loud big family in the room. I couldn't have asked for a better nurse! Give her an extra paid day off or something for being so good! Thank you so much Katie!!!!!!
We attempted to do a hospital tour during my third trimester, but after 30 minutes of searching for parking, we couldn't find a parking spot! The lot is teeny tiny and can only accommodate a very limited amount of cars. There is a parking structure, but to our dismay, the "Patient and Visitor" parking structure has the interior doors locked, so you can not actually enter the hospital from the parking structure. We tried again for tour on a Tuesday at 11:00am, and were able to find parking in the tiny lot. There are two separate floors for Labor and Delivery, one for Labor, and one for Post Partum. The Laboring room is very large, and offers many of the modern accommodations one would like, such a tub, couch, large space, privacy. The labor bed is hard as rock though, and appeared extremely restrictive and uncomfortable. We were then told that after two hours of birthing your baby your baby is "taken from you for examination" and you are moved to another floor and another room for postpartum. We went into the postpartum "room", if one could call it that. The room was approximately 8" X 10" ft and had a tiny bed, a tiny bathroom with only a toilet, tiny sink, and shower head, no actual shower stall, and no bath tub. The room did not offer a couch, only a "chair" that resembled a cheap patio chair with mesh. It was a very constricting room and I felt claustrophobic just touring in it.
My experience with Diane Clevenger and Mercy Downtown, was very stressful, and a denial of care to me and my baby. I was extremely upset and frustrated, that despite having discussed my birthing preferences many times with both midwifes during my 9 months of prenatal care, and obtaining a signature on my birth plan, I was denied care.
Review During Labor:
It is my choice and my body, and I get to decide who puts their hand in my vagina, especially during active labor, when my uterus and my baby are putting pressure into my sensitive birth canal. I put these wishes into a birth plan, and both Diane Clevenger, and Lori Steinmann, agreed and signed off on my birth plan and this particular preference, to not have a cervical exam. My husband and I left the hospital, as we were denied admittance. I got home at around 3:30am, and at 4:00am, my waters ruptured. We went to Methodist West, where I was promptly admitted and delivered our baby daughter at 7:30am.
Review on the facility:
Mercy Women Infants Center is a US Hospital based in Des Moines, Iowa. Mercy Women Infants Center is located at 1111 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314, USA.
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