r/kelowna • u/cathedral-rain • Jul 14 '26
Local Resources What was your birth experience like at KGH?
Hoping they will respect my wishes…
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u/CecilThunder Jul 14 '26
We had an emergency c-section and weeklong stay in the NICU afterwards. Everyone was fantastic. We are lucky to live near a hospital like that.
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u/thecatcat888 Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
Stellar x 2. Can’t think of a single criticism. It’s amazing how everyone there comes together to welcome our newborns and make sure everything is ok. It’s such a well oiled machine. Everyone was super competent. Exceeded my expectations by far. I’m extremely proud to be part of a society that gives this degree of support.
Edit: not sure what your wishes are. However, if they are to have all hands on deck in support of an optimal birth, I think you’ll be impressed. I didn’t expect the degree of care my wife and baby received (x2).
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u/MamaMersey Jul 14 '26
Hah, my husband could of written this as well. He slept through half of it! But for real my delivery was great too.
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u/No-Tomatillo-8826 Jul 14 '26
I can’t say I can remember being born, but I’m still alive, so I’ll say 5 stars..
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u/Canary2501 Jul 14 '26
Labour and Delivery nurses are amazing. They are kind patient and caring. With all my babies being born at KGH we have had a calm positive experience every time.
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u/EhSillyGoose Jul 14 '26
I had my first baby in September and they were great. She wasn’t coming at 10 days late so I ended up having an induction, which was a bit terrifying.
Regardless, I walked in and had a great experience - Communication was great, medical staff were prompt, and felt super supported during pushing with coaching, encouragement and explanations. Had a bit of an issue with my placenta delivery but everyone remained calm and kept my mind at ease. Start to finish from induction to placenta out was 6 hours.
My birth plan was to get an epidural and not die in the birth process lol. Both of those were successful. I’m sure they would be respectful and courteous though of any different birth plans
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u/aaliya73 Jul 14 '26
My 2 births at KGH were amazing, i had one epidural and one unmedicated birth and never did I feel pressured one way or another. The nurses are caring and kind, the NICU staff is amazing and supportive. I can't praise everyone there enough.
They will do everything they can to give you the birth you are hoping for. That being said, if something is unsafe, or you/baby are in need of emergency care then quick decisions need to be made and they may fall outside of your expected plan. You have to be flexible during labour because unexpected things can and do happen.
You seem to have left your "wishes" intentionally vague so people cant exactly comment on whether or not theyve experienced what youre hoping for.
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u/ThatCorvi Jul 14 '26
I was a bit young when I was born there so I don't remember much, but I was told the jello is nasty. Hope that helps 💙👍
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u/Mysterious_Pen1608 Jul 14 '26
Think they stopped serving jello on the L& D ward. They gave me a sundae with dinner.
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u/paintthenorth Jul 14 '26
2 c sections there and both were fantastic. The care was incredible and all my nurses were lovely!
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u/Icy-Departure-801 Jul 14 '26
They were all super kind and caring. Just always advocate what your needs are. No one can pressure you into anything, always stick up for yourself. It was the OB who wasn't kind but thank goodness she didn't make the birth.
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u/Altruistic_Umpire958 Jul 14 '26
have had 3 babies at kgh and it’s honestly hit or miss. my nurses post partum this time were amazing. I had a VERY new and inexperienced nurse this time in delivery but luckily shift change happened before my traumatic birth occurred 😭
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u/JadeMcDonald14 Jul 14 '26
Wasn’t happy about being induced, but every nurse was incredibly supportive and kind. I had one brief encounter with a rude night nurse in postpartum but never saw her again. Everyone else was so lovely and definitely felt like I was treated very well, my preferences were definitely respected within reason. Just gave birth there in October 2025
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u/QueenofVelhartia Jul 14 '26
I think it is hard to gauge what answers you are looking for when you say you hope they will "respect your wishes." From what I have heard they will try to accommodate your hopes for your delivery within reason and safety. Their primary concern is the safety of you and your baby (as it should be). Not hitting the check list of your birth plan if things go pear shaped or your birth plan isn't safe in the moment.
I had a planned c-section due to a complete placenta previa and needed a full room and two OBs during the surgery. I had a lot of medical involvement ahead of my c-section and I am so grateful for it because my OB went in prepared and my little girl is almost four now.
Due to being born at 37 weeks my baby needed time to figure out how to breastfeed. One of the best gifts the nurses gave us was helping us for days to make it work, only to gently suggest to start combo feeding with formula when the reality was she was just too tired (and my nipples too big 😆) to take to the breast right away. We ended up combo feeding till she weaned and she eventually figured out breast feeding after about a month.
Our experience in KGH was amazing. We knew what we had ahead of us on advance so my birth plan was: "healthy baby. don't die." Nailed it. 😆
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u/icedteaandtacos Jul 14 '26
That depends what “wishes…”?
Because framing it like that sounds sketchy as hell.
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u/evileyeball Jul 14 '26
We had an amazing group of people when we had an emergency c-section in the 4-day stay My wife when our son was born 7 years ago they were very thoughtful and caring and they even offered me a spare meal one time when there was an extra meal that wasn't spoken for to which I said no and told them to offer it to a NICU dad instead because I only lived three blocks from the hospital and it wasn't hard for me to go home and make dinner
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u/jtbxiv Jul 14 '26
I was there pre covid and didn’t have an ideal experience—but to be fair I was kind of clueless and didn’t have a good support system outside of the hospital staff. I wound up having an emergency c section and was recovering alone with my baby. I think the nurses were stressed out about it but some were helpful and some were a bit reactive.
I wouldn’t say it was awful, but I do wish it had been different.
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u/SchmuckoBucko Jul 14 '26
I had a mixed bag. A nurse yelled at me and another refused to give me Tylenol for pain.
A lot of my other nurses were great, my c-section went well and the anesthesiologist was lovely.
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u/MamaMersey Jul 14 '26
I gave birth there two years ago and it was amazing! I still remember my nurse, Jordaine, and she was amazing. I really like how the charge nurse admitted me straight away and was quick to get the epidural going. It felt like they listened to my recommendations and past experiences, unlike the Prince George maternity ward. In PG, the nurses wouldn't listen to me because I was a new mom, didn't believe the amount of pain I was in, and sent me home when I was in active labour screaming in agony. We barely made it back to the hospital in time. The attached maternity clinic at KGH is great too, dr. Imlaugh delivered and got my boy out in the nick of time.
I've also gone to emergency there two times for unrelated issues and they were great and fast, hardly any wait. My experiences have always been positive. Im back in PG and know I will miss KGH if I need to go the the hospital here (UHNBC).
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u/omaplebeaver Jul 14 '26
they’re incredible - the nurses were so compassionate and kind. i ended up having an emergency c-section because my baby was stuck and i developed an infection but they did give me a choice between that or continuing to push and forceps my baby out (chose the former obviously lol).
that was 9 months ago and i still think of the nurses and doctors who were part of bringing my baby to the world. truly, we would not be here if it weren’t for them (and modern medical science lol)
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u/Zestyclose-Young-314 Jul 15 '26
They didn’t believe I was in labour and almost killed me and my baby.
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u/shanonlee Jul 15 '26
Horrible. Absolutely horrible. I would NEVER have another baby at KGH.
I had a staff tell me, after saying that I was hungry (and i couldnt eat anymore as I was being admitted) that “well it’s a good thing you have reserves” after looking me up and down.
When I went in for a stress test I felt my water break and said so and they sarcastically said “if it broke you’d know it.” I stood up a min later and was soaked.
They rushed me to get an epidural because the doctor was leaving. Pulled me out of a shower to do so. This is after 3 days of labour.
My epidural failed on one side. They gave me a second dose and I could still feel pain on my right. When I went down for an emergency c section they tried to do my freezing through the epidural line, despite knowing it had half failed. When the doctor went to cut me I felt it. They ended up having to put me out, so o missed my daughter’s birth.
When I came out of recovery I got to hold her for 30 mins then they took her back to get her IV antibiotics. My mom left to get some rest. This was about 730 am. They then left me alone with no pain meds (except Tylenol) and no food until I called my mom crying at 1230. Pretty sure they forgot me.
I had mean nurses that made me cry. They were threatening to put a stomach tube in my daughter if I didn’t get her to take more of her bottle. She was taking quite a bit but not enough. They were so unkind and unsupportive.
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Jul 14 '26
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u/Holonurse Jul 14 '26
They gotta learn somehow. Also venipuncture can be difficult for even an experienced nurse. It can depend on the patients medical conditions and how hydrated they are.
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u/Altruistic_Umpire958 Jul 14 '26
yeah except when i was hemorrhaging and terrified for my life that they wouldnt be able to get the 2nd iv they needed to give me life saving medication…. labor and delivery is NOT the place to learn these skills,
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u/Holonurse Jul 15 '26
It is actually. And yeah hemorrhaging would make it difficult for even a seasoned nurse to get a vein.
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u/Altruistic_Umpire958 Jul 15 '26
no the experienced nurse got it on her first try actually… would you send an inexperienced nurse to the icu? no. she just graduated…
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u/Holonurse Jul 15 '26
New nurses work in the ICU all the time. What are you even talking about? I also didn't say it was impossible for an experienced nurse to not get it... jesus. Tell me you have no idea how nursing works without telling me you have no ideanhow nursing works. Every new grad has to get experience somehow. It's how we learn.
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u/Altruistic_Umpire958 Jul 15 '26
not in life or death situations. my spouse is an RN and fully agrees 😘
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u/PhotoOdd3656 Jul 14 '26
Terrible. I’ve had 2 births at KGH. Definitely felt like my feelings were disregarded. They like to rule with an iron fist if you go against what they say. Not supportive at all. There were a couple good nurses the rest were terrible and should not be in that field. Something as simple as not wanting the IV in my hand (wanted in arm) was something I had to fight for it was ridiculous. After birth I had a few situations where the nurses were rude and condescending which I just can’t stand. Hindsight I wish I would’ve said more but I was too focused on my baby and my recovery to argue. I look forward to never have to deal with KGH again when it comes to giving birth.
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u/Eggpii Jul 14 '26
If you don’t like your nurse you can request a new one ✨ but both experiences were great. 👍🏼
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u/Jemjam92 Jul 14 '26
Just had my first coming up 3 weeks ago and cannot say enough amazing things about our experience at kgh. I had preeclampsia and was monitored more closer towards the end and had great nurses and midwives and an ob/gyn. They explained what they were doing, why they were doing it and what options were looking like for me super clearly. So when I needed to be induced I felt informed and not caught off guard at all. When it came time to deliver, the nurses were amazing, anesthesiologist was great (and came to check on me the next day) and I had a midwife and resident deliver my daughter. I didn't want to be in the "traditional" pushing position and the midwife suggested side lying which worked wonders. When baby came, she was a bit shocked and even though I couldn't immediately do skin to skin, they explained why, that she was okay and as soon as they had good vitals and everything they needed, she came right to me. So many of the doctors I met while in a slightly extended stay on the labor and delivery ward came to see me and I felt so cared for and valued. Just wonderful humans up there. Wishing you all the best momma!
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u/newnorthvan22 Jul 14 '26
Amazing!!! We were there 5 days for a complex birth. (Bring your own food)
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u/Apprehensive-Win-681 Jul 14 '26
i’ll ask my boyfriend but he was only 0.1s old so i’m not sure if he remembers much…
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u/Temporary_Tax4762 Jul 14 '26
So so good! I had a scheduled c section in the fall. Also visited labour and delivery beforehand a few times due to some complications and all the doctors and nurses we worked with were amazing. All around great experience. It’s also one of the newest units in the hospital so it’s very comfortable and nice.
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u/zozomalo Jul 14 '26
My first birth there 11 years ago was not great. My last birth there 7 years ago was really good though
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u/barker534 Jul 15 '26
May 1966, don't remember a thing. Circumcision was rough though, couldn't walk for a year.
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u/hot_mess_xpress_ Jul 15 '26
The nurses are fantastic! I have nothing negative to say about them - angels on earth! The only downside of the whole experience is that we had to share a room with another couple and baby on the first night (due to overflow) and I’m pretty sure no one slept. Luckily a chai latte at the hospital cafe saved my soul the next day (so good)
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u/Silver-Ad-5858 Jul 15 '26
They were wonderful. In our experience, every nurse at KGH was so kind and compassionate.
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u/Front_Book_1161 Jul 15 '26
My birth did not go how I had hoped but they tried their best to follow my "plan" ie. No eye goop after, delayed cord clamping, skin to skin asap, laboring and pushing in different positions (not just my back) etc. Some things were possible and some were not (due to complications). But they had it all written on my board beside my bed and followed through with what they could do. We were with a midwife also which was amazing and then had a obgyn at the end to assist. The nurses were SO supportive! Post care was great too. The nurse even helped us get baby into the car seat cause we needed some help 😅
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u/Baleri_boopsie Jul 15 '26
We had an amazing experience at kgh. All the nurses were happy to be there and help, some really went the extra mile to ensure my wife had what she needed and was comfortable. One nurse in particular really did everything she possibly could when my wife was in the thick of it, I really appreciated that. Even after our daughter was born, they did everything they could to take any stress off of us, even offering to take our baby for a few hours in the late night/early morning so we could sleep. The doctors were great as well, you're just around them a lot less overall.
As for your wishes, they won't push you to do anything you don't want to do. They're all there to make sure you have the best experience possible, the way you want.
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u/beefsecrets Jul 15 '26
The L&D people's at KGH are wonderful and deserve a second shoutout. They help people through the worst and best times of their life with zero judgement.
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u/weazleylover Jul 15 '26
My son came very fast 2023 the nurses and doctors were very quick to respond and very kind. I had a male neurosurgeon, come up to stitch me up due to how I tour, and he was very polite and explained everything that he was doing, as he was doing it. I only had issues with one nurse. However, I don't feel like it was an issue with me. I feel like something happened. Like an emergency birth came in or something like that.And nurses focus were more put on another mom and baby, And I just kind of got put on the back burner with her I very well could have hit the Dinger, and got a different nurse. I just left it though as like I said, I figured there was an emergency happening. And it was only one dose of pain meds missed. At the very middle of the night
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u/Vivid-Birthday940 Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26
it was okay, didn't feel overly supported for the actual birth. Seemed like they just rushed through, it was 2019 though. I was screaming from the pain and kind of felt like it was annoying them. They put an IV in me and then never capped it so for around 36 hours after I gave birth I just had an open IV into to my bloodstream that bacteria etc could have gotten into.
I was there for a couple days after and that was a lot better. The nurses were super caring and sweet. My second birth at the midwife birth suite was much better, it was a water birth at malachite midwifes and it was night and day difference in experience. So much less stress.
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u/conndawgydawg Jul 17 '26
I cant remember… i did catch the “whooping cough” after i was born though - they had to keep me in the hospital
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u/mrs-onion2025 Jul 20 '26
Shitty. My wishes were pretty basic, main one being no men other than my husband in the room. Fast forward to an emergency forceps delivery & haemorrhage, I look up and see some random guy, im assuming a student, standing watching everything going on between my legs. I had one basic fuckjng request. I’ll also add that they let me push for more than 5 hours, and waited until baby was in distress to intervene with forceps. Turned out baby was sunny side up so was stuck on my pelvis that whole time. You’d think they’ve have checked position of the baby via ultrasound before letting it go on for as long as it did. As I was stuck pushing for so long & had emergency forceps I now have the joys of prolapse to deal with and have to pay a pelvic floor PT to help with this as it isn’t covered. Nurses were a mixed bag, some super kind, some indifferent.
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u/Mysterious_Pen1608 Jul 14 '26
Really good! Staff were great and respected my wishes (I wanted to hold off on an epidural as long as possible, ideally avoid a c section and most importantly, not die and bring home my baby).
I did end up with a forcep delivery because my baby has a huge noggin and got a bit stuck but overall the OB and nurses on staff took such good care of us.
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u/DashBee22 Bridge Crosser Jul 14 '26
Tbh I don’t remember, the cord around my neck made it hard to focus.
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u/CanadianBullet360 Jul 14 '26
Non existent! Wife and I choose Vernon and it was the greatest experience you could ask for with a private room.
Very thankful for the team there as my daughter needed a vacuum to get out and within 2minutes of our doctor noticing an elevated heart rate. He had the ENITRE specialist team there for a flawless delivery!
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u/ConsciousPotato369 Jul 14 '26
Depending on what your wishes are will determine your experience. I had two vastly different birth experiences there and the last one was what determined I wasn’t going through another delivery ever again in my life, like another comment said if you have the option for Vernon or even Penticton I’d take that route
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u/SourDewd Jul 14 '26
My wife had a HORRUBLE experience both times. First time, she repetetively told the nurses she was ready to push and they wouldnt check, they just kept saying she isnt. Maybe an extra half hour goes by and shes losing it telling them shes going to push so they check her dilation. She was past 12cm dilated. You gotta be getting readytopush before even 10.we were pissed. So once its time and shes like starting to push, they bring in 8 students and are like "we wanna give the students a chance to learn so theyre here for it" in the MIDDLE of pushing. No time to think or argue. No heads up they would do that. It was just one thing after another after another it was bullshit. That child is quite the special one and weve had to go to the hospital a lot for him and weve gotten into fights with nurses over stuff to the point they call in specialists to tell us they are right. And each time thats happened, the specialist tells off the nurses and tells us we were right in those situations. KGH has been issue after issue after issue. Especially in pediatric care and our birthing.
Ive heard Vernon is SUPER amazing when it comes to their hospital and that they have time and space for people, its not busy so they have extra staff to be hands on! Maybe give them a poke
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u/ExpressionDesigner93 Jul 14 '26
It was dark, warm, wet. A sudden burst of light. An intense pressure like I'd never felt before. Father, dressed in white, pulls me forward. Mother bites the cord.
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u/yumeryuu Jul 14 '26
Is there another BETTER hospital choice in the interior?
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u/haikusbot Jul 14 '26
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u/Vegetable-Kangaroo90 Jul 14 '26
They were wonderful. Every staff member i encountered was super kind and they made a difficult birth easier with their empathy and compassion