Hi A.,
Congratulations on the new baby! I delivered both of my children at Holy Family Hospital and the experience both times was excellent. I had vaginal births for both of them. For my first baby, I planned on going completely natural, but of course it didn't work out that way. After 27 hours of labor I was only at 2 centimeters. I hadn't slept for about 2 days. So they decided to break my water and give me Pitocin. I had been told by many friends that if that happens to get the epidural because the pain was unnatural and severe. The nurses definitely thought that I should get it so that I'd be able to rest for a while before pushing - they felt I might not have the strength to go through it since I hadn't slept for a long time. So I got the epidural, which went fine (I still had some pain and could move around a little - I wasn't completely immobile) and after a grand total of 39 hours and 2 1/2 hours of pushing, my son was out! He actually ended up in special care for 4 days because of some breathing and eating issues, but everyone was wonderful. I breastfed so I had to pump and bring my milk down to special care for them to use and other times I'd go down to nurse.
With my second baby the experience was completely different. I had some labor at home for about four hours and then went to the hospital, I was 4 centimeters. They got me in a room with a jacuzzi, which I sat in for about 45 minutes - breathing through the contractions, then they checked and I was at 8 centimeters. They called the Dr. I breathed through each contraction for a little while longer, the doctor came, I pushed for about 15/20 minutes and my daughter was out. No drugs, epidural or anything. The nurses ask when you arrive if you're planning on a natural birth, because if you're determined to do that, they won't keep asking if you want pain management.
They always get your consent before they do anything to the baby. With my first I felt slight pressure to give him the Hepatitis Vaccine - they remind you how important it supposedly is - and I gave in, but with my second I told them NO that she wasn't getting in and they didn't give me a hard time at all.
The other thing that was excellent was the nurses that help with lactation. They're so patient and really help you to get the hang of breastfeeding - because it's just plain hard in the beginning.
My youngest will be 3 in a couple of weeks, so I haven't had a recent birth at Holy Family, but as I said, my husband and I were very happy both times.
I wish you all the best. Remember that no matter what you have planned in your mind for the birth, it probably won't go that way - they almost never do. The most important thing is that you and the baby are healthy. So have your birthing plan, but be prepared for the unexpected.
Enjoy!
Jen