St Joseph Hospital

Reviews 3

A

A Private User

If I could do it over again, I would not have used the birthing center at St. Josephs. The only reason I did was because of the doctor who delivered baby works exclusively there. The birth was great, however, the care we received afterwards was not. Some of the nurses were great and helpful and others were useless and rude. They claim to be a pro-breastfeeding and breastfeeding friendly, but they are not. They will push breastfeeding on you and make you feel horrible if you consider otherwise, but they will not help you breastfeed if you have issues. The lactation consultant is barely ever there and was out sick the one day she was supposed to be there during my stay. The first time I was to latch my baby I said I needed help and the nurse looked at me and said, "Didnt you take a breastfeeding class?" I told her yes I did, but I still needed help. Taking a class doesnt make me an expert but they expected me to be. My baby had a hard time latching and he would detach, so they would see him latch and quickly leave the room. I had one nurse who would get frustrated and kept telling me it was my fault due to my anatomy and kept latching him on me incorrectly and gave me welts. She kept forcing him on and he constantly screamed. He still constantly screams when we attempt to feed now. I had a guest in the room and she didnt even wait or ask to see if I was comfortable nursing in front of the guest. Since my baby kept screaming and wanting to feed I asked her questions about supplementing, pumping and using a shield and she angrily told me that none of that would work. I kept telling the staff that the baby was not getting anything and it was constantly crying, but no one would listen and kept telling me it was okay. I apparently was right because he lost too much weight by even his first appointment. We are still incredibly struggling with nursing and supply and I think it was due to the lack of initial help. I have lost all confidence and I am about to give up nursing. So the birth was great and the nurses who were available in labor and delivery were all spectacular. It was when I went into the postpartum care where the nurses became cold and unhelpful. My husband and I are first time parents and they were not respectful of that. They wouldnt even help us get the baby in the car seat for the first time and we were told they would completely help us do that. They told us they would go over newborn care with us, but they never did. We told them our baby had his first bowel movement and the nurse came in and coldly said "here are the supplies" and left. I dont know if it was an off day or few days or I just got the crummy bunch of nurses on staff, but it left me feeling very alone and depressed in that hospital. I wouldnt change the birth experience. The nurses and anesthesiologist and doctor were all amazing. I just wish I could have transferred to SNHMC for the aftercare!

BA

Barbara Klitzke

I am here now and have been for about 3 hours. I most likely have a pulmonary infection since my symptoms are similar to symptoms Ive had in the past. They are showing no interest in helping me but asked me multiple times to keep my mask on even though I am not coughing. After about 2:30 hours I complained and explained that because I came here hours ago I did not eat or take the cold/sinus/pain medication Ive been trying to fell better with because I figured Id wait an hour or so as I have my whole life in every hospital Ive ever been in. St Josephs is not like that. After I complained they had a doctor come and explain to me that they are very prepared but today is just a busy day but they will see me soon. I also asked how much my bill for triage would be if I left before I was seen and was informed that nobody knows that is here now, Id have to wait for the bill. Considering the horrible billing and treatment reviews, I am sure I will be updating the review. Because I have been here so long I will Stick it out since Ive wasted a large part of my day. Also, if youre on their wifi, it does not let you search Southern NH medical center. Blocks you. Very nice. Update: was brought in to the emergency room quickly after speaking to the doctor who came to explain how busy they happened to be, she seemed to think 3 hours waiting was not excessive. Didnt catch a name. In the room, the linen was dirty and I asked it to be changed before I laid down. Lisa, the triage nurse also took people in and she was not happy I asked for the change. The new sheet was ok but the pillow case was stained on both sides with what looks to be bodily fluids. Knowing people who work in similar settings, as far as I was told, if linens are stained you take them out and send them out again or throw them out. The doctor and nurse were very nice and direct however the only exams done were that he listened to my lungs and touched my neck to feel my throat. The whole time I was there I felt like they had no interest in seeing me or helping me so I will do what they said but will also see my primary care which takes a couple days and that was the reason I chose the ER first. Based on the ridiculous monopolized costs of healthcare, Im sure the 5, maybe 10 minutes I spent in there will cost me a fortune. Not worth it. May drive to Lowell General next time I need to be seen right away.

SH

Sharon Fellows Lamb

Awful experience having a baby at this hospital. L&D nurses were rude, condescending, stared at the screens and never looked me in the eye. I had a failed epidural (asked for the anesthesiologists help several times, as I was still in tremendous pain after it was started, but despite adjustments it never took full effect). I had a panic attack during my c-section (remember the failed epidural?), and none of the nurses or doctors tried to calm or reassure me. Anesthesiologist told me it was "normal" to feel EVERYTHING during the surgery, and refused to give me anything to calm me down. I had another c-section at a different hospital a couple of years later, and guess what? I felt NOTHING, and when I shared my experience with the OR staff there, they were horrified. They said I clearly had a failed epi the first time, and that there are plenty of calming medications they could have safely put in my IV. In other words, I was forced to endure major surgery without adequate anesthesia, and a sustained panic attack, for no reason whatsoever. The post-partum care was ridiculous. The nurses were rude and constantly tried to take my baby to the nursery even though he was perfectly healthy and we chose to room in. The lactation consultant gave inaccurate info about breastfeeding, and told me I probably wouldnt be able to do it because my c-cup breasts were "too small". I forced them to put in my chart that no one was allowed to enter my room or discuss breastfeeding with me (or, as one nurse did, squeeze my breast and shove my babys screaming face into it, without asking). They had me on a pump less than 24 hours after my baby was born, despite the fact that milk almost never comes in before 48 hrs (72 or more after a c-section). Guess what? As soon as I got out of this awful place, my milk came in, and I nursed my children for a combined total of over 5 years. But that lactation consultant told me I probably wouldnt be able to nurse, for a reason that everyone knows is bogus. I wonder how many other moms have believed her, gotten scared, and given up? I wouldnt ever recommend this hospital to anyone.