Thanks much for sharing this story! It sounds incredible you made it to the doctor's office and the hospital by public transportation and foot in rain - it sounds like an ordeal. I may pass out in your shoes but am glad it all worked out ; ) I'll keep your story in mind as a chance in choosing a NYC hospital.

Another thing I also wanted to add -- the sadness about JC hospitals!!! Why are they so bad! When I used the JC Medical Center, it was a huge mess and I was bounced back and forth. Big waste of time and got no meaningful result (largely due to the student doctor assigned to me and he didn't even know how to collect info from ordinary medical records I brought from another hospital - but those resident doctors are supposed to be well supervised by the attending doctor, which didn't seem/feel like the case there!!!) A similar experience in the Christ Hospital in the ER... sigh.

Thanks for all the info, tips and recommendations. It's very helpful and I have to agree that the post natal ward doesn't provide you with attention you need in many places compared to the labor unit - in big cities. I may be too cautious but some doctors, like Dr. Helpern or Dr. Goodstain, are said to have no verified board certification according to Aetna's website, but I'm glad to know that they also do the job fine in case you happen to have them in delivering the baby. Thanks so much again to all of you. I feel now quite armed with good OBs info!

Thanks for your info and recommendation! Really appreciated.

Aetna (my insurance) has a list of doctors who are affiliated w NYU Hospitals (Tisch) and are in Aetna's network. But of course I'm interested in specific doctors' names if there's someone affiliated with the hospital and recommended by existing patients. Thanks again!

I'm currently urgently looking to decide which hospital I'd like to deliver my 3rd child (& with which doctor affiliated to the hospital I decide). We just moved to Jersey City (from an overseas assignment) and this will be my first time to give birth in the area. I'm debating among: NY Downtown Hospital, NYU Hospital (in lower Manhattan), St. Vincent, Beth Israel, and perhaps Hoboken Univ Hospital (St. Mary's). I've read this thread to date but if anyone has more recent comments on how the delivery and hospital stay experiences are in these hospitals, I'd much appreciate your info.

Based on this thread in 2007, St. Mary's sounds nice both from the distance and comfort point of views but from my history, I may not have a completely low risk delivery and therefore I debate it myself if that will be a good choice.

Based on the ease of getting to the hospital (in case of emergency), I thought NY Downtown Hospital and St. Vincent would be good but does anyone know how it is these days to give birth and stay in these hospitals?

NYU Hosp and Beth Israel are on the east side, and in addition to the Holland Tunnel, my guess is that crossing over from the west side would be a nightmare in case of traffic.

On any of these points, I'd appreciate more recent input! Thanks!!

Does anyone have recommendations for a good dentist in Jersey City or (if outside JC) near the stops of the PATH/Light Rail? We are new here and need to do some dental work. Grateful for your sharing info!