As we continue in the series about what to expect when having a baby in various locations in the Dallas and Fort Worth area, we move into central Dallas to Baylor University Medical Center.
This hospital is also known as BUMC (pronounced Bum-see), Baylor University Medical Center, Big Baylor or Baylor Downtown. It is located in the heart of Dallas, just east of downtown Dallas off I-75. Through the years, this hospital is one that we have probably attended the most frequently. It is a large hospital and has long been known by doulas and childbirth educators as being a great place to have a baby.
Here is the 411 on BAYLOR DALLAS.
Parking – Parking is in a garage across the street from the hospital. There is curbside drop off for expecting women. The garage parking is $5 a day.
Food – For patients, the food is very average. However for visitors or women who can send there partner down to grab something for them, there are a lot of options and food is available all the time somewhere in the hospital. The main cafeteria offers pizza, Chick Fil A, salads, fresh sandwiches, sushi and a grill. Hot breakfast of all kinds is available in the morning as well as Starbucks coffee. During the night a smaller restaurant offers basics like soup, sandwiches, chips and quesadillas.
Rooms– Large, though not all have windows and phone connections can be spotty. Once baby has arrived, everyone is moved upstairs to the Postpartum wing. It has recently been redone and is very nice as far as hospital decor goes. There is even a decent place for someone else beside mom to sleep.
NICU info – Level III
Breastfeeding Support – BUMC offers great breastfeeding support.
Do healthy babies go to the nursery? It is not a standard procedure and in most cases your baby will stay with you after delivery unless they need the NICU. Baby gets first bath in your room and rooming in is encouraged.
What does intermittent Monitoring look like? This does depend, but if you are walking the halls, don’t be surprised if your nurse comes to find you with Doppler to check on your baby. If you are in your room your nurse will usually listen to the baby’s heartbeat before, during and after a contraction every 30 mins or so during active labor as long as all is well. In most cases, you do not have to reattach the monitoring belts. Monitoring does increase during the pushing phase.
Saline Lock OK? Yes
Telemetry Monitoring? No
Does Baylor Dallas offer Family Center Cesareans? Yes
Is Baylor Dallas VBAC friendly? Yes, though that varies by provider.
Is Baylor Dallas supportive of women planning a natural birth? Yes, very in most cases.
Does Baylor Dallas support water birth or labor? Women are not able to give birth in the water at Baylor Dallas, however they are able to labor in water. Women may bring their own tub or use the tubs/shower in their hospital rooms All rooms have both, though the tubs are not large.
What is the Cesarean Rate for Baylor Dallas? 20% of low risk, singleton births were via primary Cesarean in 2012 (the latest data available when this was written) This statistic does not include repeat Cesareans. (see Cesareanrates.com for more info)
Are doulas able to support women in the OR during a Cesarean delivery? Yes. Birth photograhers are also welcomed into the OR.
Other notes about Baylor Dallas – Baylor Dallas is a teaching hospital. Most women will meet one of the OB residents while they are there in labor. In some cases, a resident may be in the room for delivery as well. One more thing that must be said for Baylor Dallas, is that it has some of the very best nurses you will find anywhere. Great Expectations doulas love all Labor and Delivery nurses, but we really love so many of the nurses at Baylor Dallas. Great nurses mean great care!
If you have any specific questions about Baylor Downtown or would you like to hear our recommendations for our favorite OBs, contact us and we can help!
Contact Info: Baylor University Medical Center: 3500 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX 75246 (214) 820-0111
Interested in other DFW hospitals and birth centers? Read all our reviews, we post one each month. Interested in having your placenta encapsulated after birthing at Baylor? We’d be happy share how easy it is!