Shawnee Mission Medical Center

I think what makes a good or bad experience is the care you recieve and most of that care is given by the nurses. You can have good or bad nurses at any hospital.

I had all 3 of my children at SMMC.
My sister was a L&D nurse there for 6 years so that is why we went intially but we kept going back for other reasons.

1. I felt that the security on the unit was better than at other hospitals in the area.

2. They have a level II NICU so if anything were to be wrong and the baby needed more care it was less likely that the baby would have to be sent to another hospital. I think St. Luke's is just level 1 care.

Yes I got moved to another room after delivery but that was not a big deal for me and I would rather be in 2 different rooms than to be worried about safety or care.

Anyway you just have to look at all the different things about each hospital and make your decision. Everyone is going to have bad stories about every hospital and you are going to find people that love those same hospitals.

Good Luck

I had my second baby at SLS (St Luke's South), however, I am a nurse at SMMC (Shawnee Mission). I think both places are wonderful and have great nursing staff. I would say go to SMMC because they have an absolutely wonderful anesthesia group. The only people I wasn't thrilled with was the anesthesia dept. at SLS. I love the guys and gals at SMMC. I have tons of co-workers who have had their babies here and they all have said it has been wonderful.

I had 2 of my 3 children at SMMC. Because I had C-Sections, though, they put me in different rooms (not those all pretty and decorated for natural birth). I was on the same floor, but closer to nursing stations in case I had surgical complications. Other than missing out on the great rooms though, the experience was very good. Excellent nursing staff and support. Keep in mind, my last child was born 10-1/2 years ago. Good luck!

Hi there! I delivered my child at st. Lukes south. I loved it there. I think that security was great and i have absolutely no negatives about my experience there. I dont know much about SMMC but my neighbor delivered there for her first and wasnt impressed at all. She didnt go back for her 2nd child. She went to Olathe Medical and loved it.

I gave birth to my daughter 2 years ago at St. Lukes south and it was really new then and I thought that was the way to go, because everyone was going on and on about how new and fancy it was. I was not very impressed with it. I got no lactation support or support with my issues after the birth like I did with my son who is 4 and was born in St. Louis. Also we lived at 72nd and Metcalf at the time and the drive was definately a little more. I have been with two family members throughout their deliveries at Shawnee Mission and was really happy with the nurses and all the other support such as the lactation consultant and just the way it was ran in comparision with my supposibly fancy hospital at St. Lukes south. also everything was just as new and nice as St. Lukes. Anyway just thought I would let you know

T.,

First of all congratulations!

I had both my girls at SLS. From what I've seen, SLS is newer with much larger rooms. I think (and I'm not exactly sure here), at SMMC you are moved to another room after you deliver. Personally, I loved the nurses at SLS and had overall great experiences both times, with 2 very different births.

Jen

I had both of my children there and absolutely LOVE it! They treated me so well, gave me anything I needed at any time, have good lactation specialists, etc. All of my nurses were great- I can't say enough about that place!

LOVED IT! The nurses are great, the delivery room was wonderful and my recovery room had two beds so my husband got to sleep on a nice bed - not a little cot. Also, the security features are top-notch. They really love your little baby as much as you do! Good Luck!

I loved SMMC. I had both of my babies there and the nursing staff is top rate! I had talked to my OB/GYN about delivering at St. Luke's South at the time my daughter was born (4 years ago) and at the time there wasn't an anetheseologist on staff there. She was concerned that if something were to happen that it would take a long time for the pain doc. to arrive.
Just my two cents,
Good luck!
C.

I have had no experience with St Lukes but I had my son at Shawnee Mission and I loved it. ALL the nurses were wonderful and I felt so comfortable there. It is on the old side but I know they were under construction so I dont know when you are due but tehy may be upgraded by then. Good luck and i do highly recommend them!!

I may be biased, but my mom was an OB nurse at SMMC for over 20 years! I had my daughter there 20 months ago and it was wonderful. They are a busy hospital, but in the long run that is good for you. The nurses see alot and have experiences with all kinds of cases.

My cousin had her baby there in November. The baby had complications, but everything turned out fine...mainly due to the great nursing staff.