In the Dallas/Ft.Worth area, expecting families have many choices available as they choose the best place to welcome their baby. (At last count , DFW has around 25 hospitals with Labor and Delivery services. about that many birth centers and of course home birth midwives that come to the families.) At Great Expectations, we believe your best birth comes when you match your needs and desires with a birth place that wants to help you achieve those goals…and that is not always the most convenient hospital. Our “What to Expect” series highlights Dallas, Fort Worth and Denton area hospitals and birth centers to help expecting families find that match. It is also a great guide for those that already know where baby is arriving, but want to know what to expect on labor day.
Today we talk about BAYLOR GRAPEVINE.
Baylor Grapevine is located in the north eastern side of Grapevine just off 114 almost in the town of Southlake. Because of its location just off several major highways, it is within a 20 minute drive of many parts of Dallas, Frisco, Lewisville, Colleyville, Flower Mound, Arlington, Irving and the Mid Cities
Parking – Easy, free and convenient. The parking lot for Labor and Delivery is right at the entrance and a quick elevator ride to the second floor gets you there. However after 10 at night the entrance to Labor and Delivery is locked and laboring women need to come through the ER – so at night park in the ER parking area and not the Labor and Delivery area or you will be walking longer than you probably want to!
Food – The cafeteria is small and is not especially good or bad. (Though I once had a client who raved about the “Chicken Charms”.) The hours it is open are rather limited but Baylor Grapevine is located less than a mile from dozens of great restaurants many of which are open late. (Please note: Laboring women are usually restricted to clear fluids or ice during labor.)
Rooms– Large and relatively new.
NICU info – Level 3
Breastfeeding Support – Baylor Grapevine has slightly better than average breastfeeding support for the area. Babies and women are given “couplet” care, which means one nurse can take care of both and therefore she can look after both with minimal disturbance.
Can you get in the tub or shower during labor? There are no tubs in the labor rooms, however rooms have large showers that may be used. Baylor Grapevine does have a tub room in it with a very nice labor tub. Some of our clients have had success using the tub for hydrotherapy and others have not. If you are interesting in using the tub during your labor, please discuss this with your provider. Each provider has different stipulations on use of the tub and a lot will depend on what is happening during labor as well.
Will your healthy baby go to the nursery? Probably not, as it is not a standard procedure and in most cases your baby will stay with you after delivery.
How will you be monitored? If you do not request intermittent monitoring, the default is that you will be on continuous monitoring throughout your labor. However, those that prefer intermittent monitoring are able to do that as well if everyone looks healthy and no additional medications like pitocin or epidural are in use. During monitoring, the belts are re-attached and thus the woman must remain close to the bed.
Is Telemetry monitoring available? Telemetry monitoring is not available.
Saline Lock available? Yes
Is Baylor Grapevine supportive of women planning a natural birth? Yes, though this varies by provider.
Does Baylor Grapevine offer Family Center Cesareans? None of our clients have had a Family Centered Cesarean and our doulas are only occasionally allowed back in the OR (and that has only happened due to our clients advocating pretty hard to have extra support in the OR), However Baylor Grapevine is doing skin to skin in the OR which is a big part of the Family Centered Cesarean and a huge health benefit for women and babies. So let’s say they do a half way Family Centered Cesarean.
Is Baylor Grapevine VBAC friendly? Yes-ish. However provider is key. The only OBs we see consistently supporting our VBAC clients are Dr. Rost, Dr. New, Dr. Flowers, Dr. Walters. That is not to say that others do not..but that is what our experiences has been, and we attend a lot of VBACs. To read more about Baylor Grapevine’s stats on Cesarean deliveries and VBAC rates see www.cesareanrates.com
Are doulas able to support women in the OR during a Cesarean delivery? Not regularly. As stated earlier, a few of our clients have advocated for continuous support from their doula in the OR, but most of the time this request is denied. If you are planning a Cesarean or want to insure that your desire to have your doula support you in the OR should you need a Cesarean delivery, please discuss this with your care provider prenatally.
Will the nurses at Baylor Grapevine laugh at me if I want to take my placenta home? No. They are very helpful! Read more on placentas and Baylor Grapevine.
Do you have other specific questions about having a baby at Baylor Grapevine or want to hear our recommendations for specific providers that we love there? Contact us and we can chat about it!
Contact info :
1650 West College
Grapevine, TX 76051
817.481.158 As you look around for the best place to have your baby, please check out our full “What to Expect” series. Currently we have discussed Baylor Dallas, Baylor Frisco and Richardson Methodist .