Chennie:

I just found out this morning that we are expecting twins (God help us)!! My RE is at Hershey, and he says that it's time to release me to a regular OB/GYN. Normally, I would just go to Woodward and Associates (my regular OB/GYN who delivered my son at Hbg. Hospital) and I've had no probelms with them. I got the feeling though, that my RE wanted me to consider delivering at Hershey, which would mean a new team of OB/GYNs, of course. Does anyone know the difference between the two hospitals? Is one better for twins, high risk pregnancies, possible hospital bed rest, and a probable C-section? I'm supposed to make a decision by the end of the week, and I don't know how I'll ever decide. How am I supposed to compare the two hospitals and make a good decision? Has anyone had experience with both hospitals? Has anyone heard if one is better than the other for high risk pregnancies? Thanks so much in advance. :)

I don't know much about either hospital (I live in Lancaster) but a co-worker of mine (I work in Harrisburg) had her twin girls at Penn State, but had her monitoring at Harrisburg. She was high risk due to developing a pulmonary embolism during her pregnancy and being on blood thinners.

I had a standard, easy pregnancy and delivered at Hershey. I've always gone to Women's Health affiliated with Hershey, but I now live in Harrisburg and considered switching to a practice a bit closer to home. What kept me at Hershey is the NICU's reputation. I hoped and prayed we wouldn't need it (and didn't), but I wanted to be at Hershey, just in case.

My labor and delivery nurses were great at Hershey. I would remind anyone that Hershey is a teaching hospital and as such, you will see a lot of residents (maybe not with twins?).

First off, congrats!!! I hope you have a healthy and uneventful pregnancy.

Both hospitals have excellent reputations, that's for sure. I don't have personal experience with either, other than my mom giving birth to me at Hershey almost 30 years ago at 28 weeks gestation. I know I received the best care around and am fully normal and functioning now.

A friend of mine had pre-e and was on bedrest for a few weeks at Harrisburg then gave birth to her son around 34 weeks, I think. She had a positive experience there from what I can remember.

For what it's worth, I did a ride-along with Life Lion in 2009 and one crew member remarked how mothers on bedrest typically go to Harrisburg, while new preemies typically are flown to Hershey.

I can understand your hesitation about switching practices, but if I was in your shoes I would pick Hershey, hands down. Everything is already there and you wouldn't have to worry about you or the babies having to be transferred somewhere else.