Bikur Cholim’s maternity ward is not so great because of the location of the ward, which is right by the doors to outside and the waiting room, so when people go to get their babies, it’s freezing in the winter and there are all these random people
coming in and out of the hospital.

My daughter gave birth in Bikur Cholim seven months ago, and I was there at the birth to assist her.
I must say we were very happy with the everything, the way the birth was managed, the facilities of the hospital, the way were treated by the staff.
The location is wonderful, right in the center of town, not so good if you need parking, but for those that use the bus or taxi's it\'s great.
The hospital is also very good for Cohanim as there is no morgue in the building.

I gave birth at Bikur Cholim on Shabbat Hagadol this year.  The medical care was excellent, with two doctors checking in on me all day, in addition to the midwives, and they provided a birthing coach without my asking (though she left to help someone else when I had my epidural).  The labor and delivery rooms were bright and clean, and they were very responsive to my requests and concerns.  The only thing I wasn't happy about was that they gave me Pitocin without asking or telling me, and I only found out because I asked about the IV (I thought it was saline).  But as my sole interest was getting the baby out as fast as possible, which I made clear to them, and I had an epidural anyway, maybe they thought it was what I wanted.
 
Unfortunately, while the medical care during labor was great, the post-delivery care was awful.  The new maternity ward was full, so I was placed upstairs in the women's wing.  The bathrooms were dirty, there wasn't even soap to wash my hands with, and there were no amenities at all (though that might be standard for Israel - I don't know, it was my first delivery here). I had to go to the nursery to get my baby to nurse, which required going through the outside entry to the wing, and there were no hours posted (though again, I wasn't in the maternity ward, so that may have something to do with it).  I asked them to bring my baby to me for the first feeding, since I wasn't feeling up to walking yet, and they did it, but they seemed very resentful about it, like I was causing a major inconvenience.  Furthermore, while they insisted they weren't, I'm fairly certain they gave my baby formula during the first day, though I specified that they shouldn't.  The food was awful, and there most definitely was not enough for a woman who just gave birth and was breastfeeding, though it was Erev Pesach, so that did have something to do with it.  And it was impossible to get liquids.  None came with the meals, and the only drink I could get was at a tiny little cooler down at the end of the hall - definitely not acceptable for a woman who just lost a lot of blood.
 
Overall, the medical care is excellent, but post-delivery is extremely self-service.  If all you care about is a healthy delivery, it's great.  But if you're looking for amenities, go somewhere else.
 
Nechama (nechamag@hotmail.com)

I had a great experience at Bikur Cholim Hospital b"H.  Everything- from the moment I arrived until I left with my baby girl- went very smoothly.  I had an amazing doctor deliver me and I felt that he made very qualified and thoughtful decisions with everything he did.  My stay there after was enjoyable as well.  It was not so crowded (I've heard that in other hospitals you have to stay in the hall until you get a room) and the nurses were always available.  I was on the second floor- I don’t know how it is on the first floor.  The care in the nursery was good as well.  And, being a first time mother- they were helpful with teaching me how to nurse.  All in all, it was a great journey!  In fact, the other day, I just spoke to a new mother who delivered there and she had much the same to say!