How Is North Hills Hospital and the Obgyn's Working There?

I had a former co-worker who delivered there and had nothing but good things to say about it. Good luck and congrats!

Hello! I LOVED the nurses at North Hills. The security there is top of the line, and we had the pleasure of attending the prepared childbirth classes there which I strongly recommend. Even my husband (a guy's guy) had fun. When I walked in the first time just to "check it out", I mentioned I was pregnant and would like a tour and the nurses were super friendly, introduced me to the staff, took me around to the different sections and rooms, etc. One thing we liked was that the rooms had proper beds for husbands, too. (Even a lot of the bigger hospitals just have crappy chairs for the husbands to sleep in). Taking the class there will answer any and all questions you may have (I had a lot; we weren't married long and have NO family in the state of Texas so I was pretty nervous until we took the classes, got to know the staff, they took us to all the rooms and basically walked us through what would happen). There's also some alternative things they offer that many hospitals don't, and I was appreciative of those, also. They also are equpped and have the ability to care for a babyuntil Childrens Hosptial can come if there was a problem that the hospital wasn't equipped to handle on a long-term basis. They're GREAT about answering questions and not making you feel dumb.

Hi, my name is M.. I have a possible solution to your problem. I don't know about the doctors in North Hills hospital, but I do know a great OBGYN in Decatur. Her name is Dr. Renee Smith. She delivered my first with out a c-section, and that was after 26 hours of labor. She is also seeing me for my second pregnacy. She will see you if you haven't reached 20 weeks yet. If you have, here's some insight, take a tour of the hospital, write down all of your questions, talk to your doctor, and talk to the hospital staff. If you are taking childbirth classes, then ask the other women around in your class about the hospital, or after class, hang out at the hospital, and ask a few people about the hospital's performances. Even if it seems like it's wierd or bothersome, just remember, you are doing this for your baby and for yourself. Also, check the security at the hospital. ask the hospital how they handle things. At Wise Regional, in Decatur, they prefere for you to keep the baby in your hospital room and on the side of you that doesn't have a door. Also if any nurse comes in and doesn't have a badge, as for another nurse that has a badge. (I did.) well I hope that my information has been helpful to you. Good luck with your research and your new baby. Best of all to you and your new family, M.

I had both of mine there. I loved it. It's a smaller hospital and I really liked that for some reason. I had excellent care while I was there and all the nurses were extremely helpful and kind. If you have any other questions let me know.
A.

I have been a patient of hers for years now. She delivered both of my boys, and you couldn't ask for a better doctor. I would go to her for everything if it was possible. Her staff is amazing, and the hospital staff is great as well. I think they remodled the maternity ward this past year, but I am not 100% on that. Good luck!

Tanya,

I have worked at both hospitals and they both have a lot going for them. Dr LaStraps patients love her and the lactation counseling at North Hills is better than most small hospitals and definately rivals all of it's neighbors. They just opened a brand new maternity floor that I hear is fantastic. So just relax, you are in good hands with wonderful people.
K. @ The Nestingplace

Hi...I was new to the area and was suppose to deliver at grapevine baylor and at 32 weeks of my pregnancy they told me to practically take a hike and find a new doctor and hospital to deliver, because i did'nt have the right insurance...my brother even works at Baylor Hospital in Grapevine and he advised me to go somewhere else...they don't really even treat children either. Needless to say, God works in mysterious ways because North Hills Hospital welcomed me in with open arms at 32 weeks pregnant...my OBGYN is Dr. Alcalen but Dr. Lastrap delivered my baby and she was great...and to tell you the truth I was the only patient in the labor and delivery unit for 3 days and they spoiled my baby and me rotten...If your looking for down home friendliness, constant care and personal attention...North Hills Hospital is the way to go...My husband and I call it a "little diamond in the rough".
M.

I delivered at NH and although I disliked one of the nurses (even though my water broke and was gushing, she told me my water didn't break and was about to send me home. An HOUR later she said, "opps, you had meconium in your sample, so I guess it really did break!"), I loved everything else.

Well, except they didn't let me see my son after he was born for about 9 hours. I was extremely upset, since he was born healthy. I held him for about 30 mins after delivery and then they took him away. My husband demanded several times to see him, and they said "No, they were working on paper work." They also wouldn't show us which one he was in the nursery, so I was LIVID!

I did like the lactation consultants (I think Kay was one of them) and personal care I recieved, I really liked the pediatrition and loved the facility and I liked the prenatal class. My most favorite part was my doctor, Patrick Allen, but you have someone else.

Tanya,
My OBGYN is also Dr. LaStrap & she is Awesome. I chose to have my daughter at North Hills because it is a smaller hospital & you receive more personal care. I am pregnant with baby number two & I look forward to going back to North Hills as they have just added onto the wing. The rooms are very big & cozy. I had a nurse named Tammy & SHE was amazing. Actually, Dr. Hicks deliverd my baby as she was on call that weekend & she was just as wonderful. Please do not stress about Dr. LaStrap or North Hills as you will be completely taken care of. I also had hired a DOULA named Brenda Shumway who I am using again. If you have the opportunity to hire a DOULA especially if this is your first preganancy I completely recommend one. I didn't have to lift a finger (except push) the entire time I was in the hospital.
I hope this helps. Good Luck to you!

Tanya,
Dr Lastrap deleiverd both my childern and just ahd a baby last august she is great and i do like north hills they listen to you and are a great labor n delivery floor!! no matter what time u have ur baby and dr lastrap is always there if u need her she is a dedicated dr and cares about u!!!!So dont worry you will be fine if u ever need to talk im here!!!

I had my baby at N Hills in October and had wonderful care. There was one nurse who worked overnight's in the nursery who is also one of the childbirth educators and she was especially terrific. I think her name was Vickie. My OB is Dr. Tabbs, who is one of Dr. Lastrap's partners. When Dr. Tabbs was out having her baby, I would occasionally see Dr. Lastrap or Dr. Snell or get call backs from one of them and they were wonderful. The sonographer at Dr. Lastrap's office, Tracy, is awesome. We tried twice to get a 3D sono, but neither time our little guy would not turn around so you could see his face. I can't remember what the normal cost of the 3D sono is, but Tracy only charged us $25 for materials rather than the full price becuase he felt bad he could not get a good picture- even though it wasn't his fault. The first time we had the 3D sono, he tried for over an hour to get our baby to turn around. So, stay with Dr. Lastrap, you will get excellent care from her and from N Hills.

Hi Tanya,

I had my first son at Baylor Grapevine, and my second at Lewisville Medical Center. I was very nervous the second time because I didn't hear good reviews about Lewisville. But, it turned out that my experience in Lewisville was so much better than Grapevine. So, I think a lot depends on the nurses you get. I'm not familiar with the hospital you're going to, but I wanted to let you know that I think each hospital has the potential to be a good experience.

Good luck and congratulations!
C.