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Anyone have some tips for giving birth at Lakeland Regional? I recently took the hospital tour and really liked what I saw but would like to know how other people's experiences went.

Also, I'm reading ALOT of articles about what to pack in the hospital bag and some of them sound like everything but the kitchen sink. What is really needed? Also any advice on clothes for mom to wear after giving birth but still in the hospital?

We had our son on a Sunday afternoon at Lakeland and the biggest issue was food. By the time we were moved to our room from the labor suite the meals had already been served and the public dining room was closed. I had had nothing since lunch on Saturday so I was starving. Thank god for Shawn she had recently had a baby there also and new of this problem. She came with lots of food. The next few days the food they offered was not worth anything so we ended up eating from the dining room downstairs, which had great food but was costly. We spent over a 100.00 just on eating and snacking. So bring your own snacks and drinks for hubby. Also they do not give you any shampoo and soap, so pack your on. The best thing I found to wear were my bathing suit cover ups. They were baggy, comfortable and made me feel like I was not greeting my guest in my nightgown. I hope you have a great experience.

I delivered 2 separate times at Lakeland, my 2nd (Ryan) and 3rd (Lillian) children.

The first time was so terrible that I started seeing a Winter Haven OB when I realized I was pregnant with Lillian. That ended up being a nightmare so I started seeing Dr. Hopper at Watson Clinic (LOVE HIM!), who delivers in Lakeland. I was so worried about having a repeat of my first experience, but I thought I could muddle through it again, It would only be for a few days.
My second experience ended up being great. I was so surprised! I don’t know if she will still be there when you get there, but there is a nurse named Celeste in recovery that was awesome! Maybe it is luck of the draw? With Ryan I had been awake and in labor for a couple of days, pure exhaustion. When I asked a nurse to take Ryan just for a couple of hours so I could take a nap, they refused. I ended up being awake almost 5 days straight. Hubby couldn’t help and had to be home because our son Austin was home vomiting. Talk about bad timing. When I had Lilly, they said hospital policy was they can not deny a mom to take the baby anymore. With Lilly they kept trying to come and get her, and I would have to tell them no. With the c-section I had, it was a piece of cake compared to HOURS of labor.

What to wear. I would wear very loose baggy pjs with bottoms. I wore a "moo moo" with Ryan and I felt exposed a lot. With the pants, I felt like pads stayed in place more and modesty was easier achieved. I can give more details if needed; I just don’t want this to be to long.

I was recently hospitalized for a day/night due to bleeding (I'm 34 weeks pg) and my experience was pretty good. I also delivered my first son there (Dr. Hopper performed the c-section and yes he is GREAT!!) As for food, they have a menu for you to order food from and it's open from 6 a.m. I believe until 7 p.m. and then there is a limited menu you can order from after that. They deliver your food within 45 min after you order it and I only ate one meal while there and it was okay. But there is food if you're hungry. I took a shower while there and didn't have any shampoo or soap (wasn't planning on being admitted when I went in) and the nurse brought me body wash and extra towels and wash cloths. I guess it is luck of the draw when it comes to nurses but my experience was good, no complaints. They were all very good about asking if I needed anything and bringing me fresh water, etc. But if you have specific items you can't live without, then def pack them.

does anyone have any info on giving birth at winter haven hospital? i had my daughter in brandon, i loved the care i got they had everything on hand. anything i needed or my husband needed was there fast. other than there insurance billing (which was a nightmare) that was a great hospital. from my experiance i didn't need anything for my baby except clothes to bring her home in. and i wore the gown they gave me and my bathrobe and my slippers. if your going to try to breast feed a boppy would be nice to have on hand. and don't forget your cell phone i used mine sooo much. good luck

I, too, packed everything that the lists told me to bring. I ended up NOT using most of it. I pretty much stayed in my hospital gown for most of my stay (I was BF and found the gown easy to snap on and off). Just make sure you have something comfy for your going home outfit.

I wanted to mention one of the reasons I didn’t enjoy my stay at LRMC the first time. Granted, this is only one thing, I had the gambit of them, from not taking pictures of Ryan to a filthy room with the previous occupant's "short and curly-s" all over the place. And plenty of medical related issues in the in-between.

Stay on top of staff for the hospital picture of your baby. Ryan left with out having his pictures done. It makes me sad that I don't have a newborn hospital picture of him

I gave birth at LRMC with my first baby. The only thing I took with me was a robe and slippers, body wash, shampoo, a book to read, hair brush, tooth brush. All the things you need for every day. I wore there gown because I had stitches and they were checking them all the time. the only bad experience I had there was my delivery nurse was really mean. I had my daughter natural and she was arguing with me that I would need something once labor really started. She was just really nasty. My nurse after that was the nicest person. As far as meals I asked for a menu because I can't eat certain things. I also brought snacks for my husband. In August I will be having my second child there. Well hope this helps you! Lori

Lori Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck on your LRMC delivery! Keep us updated

The food is not good - it's just like any hospital food. My husband brought me to go food from wherever I felt like at the time

I delivered both babies at LRMC and had a great experience both times.

With my first I wore a button down nighshirt - it wasn't comfortable and I felt very exposed breastfeeding.

For my second - I wore comfortable loose yoga type pants and a tank top. I felt fresh and presentable, and the pants were easily moved when I had to be checked. It was also much more discreet for breastfeeding when I could just lift up my tank top and latch him on.

Greatfulcp,
I gave birth in Winter Haven at Regency Medical Center, which is the birthing center for Winter Haven Hospital. I had a great experience!! The nurses were great, anything you need they will get for you quickly..........for me it was my first child and the nuses talked me through what would be happening in the different stages of labor so I kind of knew what I could expect...which eased my mind ALOT!! I don't mean to brag, but I had a PERFECT labor and delievery......I went in to be induced December 21, 2006, at 8am, was at 4cm going in the hospital......by 1:30 was at 5 cm......then went from 5 to 10 by 2 pm......and by 2:30 had a beautiful baby girl named Savannah Ashlyn..... my mother tells me I had it too easy.....lol! My future sister-in-law worked there and it was extremely comforting as she made sure everything went smoothly while in the mother-baby unit. Nurses will let you know first hand when you get to the mother-baby unit that every nurse that is supposed to pick up your baby and take it back to the nursery or bring the baby to you will have a badge on....to be sure to check the badge closely and if for any reason you don't feel comfotable releasing your baby to them, you have every right to ask for another nurse...
which my baby didn't stay in the nursery all that much while we were there.....I wanted her with me at all times!! Hope you soon-to-be mommies have safe deliveries!! Hope this helps!!

i don't mean to take this away from the lakeland disscusion, but does the baby room with you or do they prefer the baby in the nursery? because at brandon they pushed the baby to room with you and my husband and i were thrilled with the idea. also do they have most stuff you need on hand or do you have to bring everything? and is the food crappy? at brandon they had most everything you need and the food was excellent. but it's such a far drive from our house that were thinking of trying a diffrent closer hospital next time. thanks for the advice.

They actually will give you the option of keeping the baby with you as long as you like, then they will check back with you often to see if you would like them to take the baby back to the nursery so you can get some rest........which I thought was great.
The only thing I really saw that they had on hand was some little shampoo, conditioner, soap, a comb(none of which was good)....but they do supply you with the post baby care things as I am sure you know what I am talking about (the pads, water bottle etc.)They also have a toothbrush and toothpaste in the room for you but I used my own.......they supply hospital gowns for after baby but I was more comfortable in my own nightgown then I brought some pajama pants and a tank top to lounge in.I don't know too much about the food except they have awesome turkey sandwiches.....I was addicted to them in the hospital......with potato chips and pepsi...lol. My fiance' says the breakfast was good......they always brought it to me and I asked for a turkey sandwich instead and they left it there and he ate it.....I really like the Regency though....we live in bartow and should I ever have another child that's where I am going..... and I am going to be starting college to become an RN to work there soon!!

I had 3 C-sections at LRMC. Each was a little different. My biggest praise is that they are very cncerned about bonding and starting to BF if that's what you choose. My last 2, they brought the baby to me in the surgical recovery so I could begin to BF right away. I know this my also be a little selfish, but I really wanted to spend some one on one time with my kids before the whole family got to see them. They also provide BF'ing experts to help if need be. Overall, LRMC is a good hospital, espicailly since they redid all the rooms recently. Some nurses are good and some are a little edgy, if you know what I mean. Even with a C-section, I was out on day 2 with my last 2 babies. I not a fan of C-sections, but if you have to have one, the experience can still be a good one.

Personally I had a great experience. The labor and delivery nurses were fantastic. I delivered in 2005 during the "Hurricane Baby Boom" and even with them at full capacity I received great care. Recovery staff was also great.

I had my daughter room with me and she only went to the nursery for her hearing tests, etc. They have a lactation specialist and are VERY supportive to breastfeeding right away. My daughter was only 30 minutes old when we began.

I took too much to the hospital. I used my toiletry items and my music player. I also would recommend taking some sugar free candy or even sugar free popsicles for when you are "not allowed to eat" because these are allowed and they even kept my popsicles in the freezer for me.

Yes, the food was bad but isn't all hospital food? And after watching me give birth my husband was more than willing to fetch me what I wanted for take out.