Today we talk about HARRIS METHODIST in Ft. Worth.
Harris Methodist is one of the many options we have in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area as you are choosing a location to deliver your baby. At Great Expectations, we want to help families match their needs and desires with a birth place that wants to help them achieve those goals…that may or may not be the hospital closest to our clients. Our “What to Expect” series highlights Fort Worth, Dallas, and Denton area hospitals and birth centers as a way to help expecting families learn a bit more about each of them without having to actually tour each one. We hope you enjoy our “virtual” tour of Harris Southwest.
Harris Methodist is located just south of downtown Fort Worth. Because of its location just off several major highways, it is within a 30 minute drive of many parts of Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, Irving and the Mid-cities – not to mention the many southern Fort Worth cities.
Parking – Parking at Harris Methodist is not fantastic. There is a parking garage by the hospital but it is often full and the only spaces available are found only after winding your way to the top of the building. It is also not all that close to L & D. The cost of parking is $5 for more than 4 hours, though the parents are typically given vouchers to pay for their parking.
Food – The cafeteria is excellent. You can get Asian theme, homestyle, deli sandwiches, burgers and fries and build your own tortillas. There is also a Subway with extended hours and a Starbucks. Depending on our provider, Harris Methodist is often not as strict as other hospitals when it comes to restricting food, though they still typically want you having their jello or popsicles over a large burger and fries.
Rooms– The rooms are large in Labor and Delivery, smaller in post partum.
NICU info – The NICU here is the best of the best.
Breastfeeding Support – Harris Methodist has amazing breastfeeding support both during a woman’s stay and afterwards.
Can you get in the tub or shower during labor? A few of the rooms have regular tubs, but one of the rooms has a giant birthing tub. If you would like to use the tub room, let your nurse know when you arrive. There is only one giant tub so it is first come first serve, and not all providers are Ok with their patients using (or birthing) in the tub so if a water labor or birth interests you, have a chat with your provider first. Showers are also encouraged.
Will your healthy baby go to the nursery? No. It is not a standard procedure and Harris Methodist is Baby Friendly Certified so they do their best to keep babies and moms together.
How will you be monitored? Unless there is a reason you need constant fetal monitoring (VBAC, using pitocin or epidural, or other health concern for you or baby) the default is to do intermittent monitoring which usually looks like your nurse listening to the baby’s heartbeat before, during and after a contraction every 30 mins.
Is Telemetry monitoring available? Yes. They have telemetry monitoring and they now offer the Monica monitor for those that need constant fetal monitoring. It uses Bluetooth technology to give women the greatest freedom of movement during labor (see picture!).
Saline Lock available? Yes, as long as there is no medical need or an epidural in place, this is usually the default.
Is Harris Methodist supportive of women planning a natural birth? Yes very! Though this of course varies by provider, but the nurses are wonderful.
Does Harris Methodist offer Family Cesareans? Absolutely. All women with healthy babies are offered skin to skin in the OR. With some providers, they will use drapes with a clear window to see your baby born and do everything possible to make a Cesarean birth inclusive to the expecting family.
Is Harris Methodist VBAC friendly? Yes…if you are with the right providers. We highly recommend the UNT MWs who had a wonderful track record of helping women have successful VBACs. To read more about Harris Methodist stats on Cesarean deliveries and VBAC rates see www.cesareanrates.com
Are doulas able to support women in the OR during a Cesarean delivery? Yes. I have seen photographers allowed in as well (and seen some gorgeous photography from Cesarean births there.)
Will the nurses at Harris Methodist laugh at me if I want to take my placenta home? No, not at all – they have been helping women keep their placentas as long as we have been doula-ing. We go there all the time to pick up placentas.
Do you have other specific questions about having a baby at Harris Methodist or want to hear our recommendations for providers our clients have loved? Contact us and we can talk about it!