Birth at Alta Bates with Sutter

Ill recommend to do a hospital tour. I was with sutter too and went for centering sessions through my pregnancy so they did the tour with all of us, but i think the sutter website also has an option for tours if you didnt do centering. Itll make you feel at ease for sure. My experience with Alta bates was okay, the nurses were great. The hospital is kinda old so the bathroom was outdated and i also was stuck with an old ish bed that didnt help my back, they did change the bed for me on day 2 though.

I second the hospital tour!! It really helped to be able to visualize the space beforehand. My experience with the nurses was great. My prenatal care was through the Millie clinic so I was delivered by one of their midwives and can’t speak to the OBs. Alta bates is pursuing a baby friendly designation so they are good about skin to skin time, delayed cord clamping, and not taking baby out of your room. I also had a great experience with the postpartum nurses during our stay afterwards.

@Mrrinali thanks this is helpful! How was your experience with centering? I’m considering doing it but hesitating because partners are only welcome in 2 of the sessions.

@Becky thanks! My Ob also told me they are a low-intervention hospital, which is reassuring, and I’ll definitely do a hospital tour later on.. how was your experience with Millie?

Omg centering was great! As a FTM i got the opportunity to learn so much and have the community feeling as i progressed in my pregnancy. I felt it was so much more informative than the monthly appointment with the obgyn to check the blood pressure and hear the heart beat. They gave us a book and had a thorough agenda for every session eg hospital tour, meet/greet with a lactation consultant, meet/greet with a pediatrician etc Yes partners came only for 2 sessions one of the sessions was the hospital tour but my husband felt that was okay and he did ask all his questions then, the staff was friendly and accomdating when the curious partners came in. I recommend it for sure. We head back for our last session soon with our babies and i cant wait 💝

@Becky I'd also love to hear about your experience with Millie. I'm with them and have had one in person appointment so far. I'm feeling a little unsure about them, but idk if it's just first time mom jitters.

@Emi and @Megan I’m always happy to chat about Millie!! My experience with them was truly outstanding. I was sooo nervous about a hospital birth but the Millie team made me feel heard, supported, and cared for during my entire pregnancy and birth. As we were making decisions about the progress of my labor, the midwives kept my main goals in mind and guided me in making choices that supported those goals. We had such a great experience with them that we are considering delaying our cross country move so we can have our second baby with them as well. Happy to chat more if you have specific questions!!