Superfluous Decision

I guess it's better to have choices rather than be tied to one option whether you like it or not, but usually it just makes things harder. We toured the second hospital last night, and I still have no idea where to go. Mostly because they're exactly the same!

We ruled out Cedars-Sinai (you know, the celebrity hospital) because it's far away (12 miles) and the other two options seem just as good.

Choice #1 - UCLA Santa Monica - Within a mile of our apartment, brand new, all private rooms, NICU on premises, lactation consultants available every day.

Choice #2 - St. John's - Probably 5 blocks further away from our apartment than UCLA, brand new, all private rooms (maybe 20 sq. ft. bigger), NICU on premises, lactation consultants available every day.

Ya, so basically the same. I was trying to figure out the differences that might be relevant to us:

* UCLA has a better reputation...or at least I thought so. But as between this particular hospital and St. John's for labor and delivery, I think they're either the same or St. John's might be better. (From what I have heard, UCLA has more of an institutional feel and is busier while St. John's is more quiet and home-y)
* My doctor works out of St. John's, so she has been pushing that one from the beginning. If I really preferred UCLA, I wouldn't care... but if they're the same to me, maybe it makes sense to pick the one my doctor prefers? Maybe there will be a slightly better chance she'll visit earlier or more often if I'm there?
* While both hospitals have nurseries, it seems that UCLA advocates new moms to use it more if they want to get sleep, while St. John's seems to have it there more for show (and if I want to sleep without the baby in the room for one last night, then I don't want to feel guilted into having the baby with me).
* St. John's says you are entitled to visit whenever you want after the birth for consultations with lactation consultants for free.
* The administrative / scheduling offices seem more organized at UCLA, which I love of course.
* Parking - at UCLA, there is a $5 per day option at a nearby garage. St. John's - $12 valet parking... hmm, or we could WALK!!!

So ya, they're the same. I'm thinking St. John's, but if anyone has any insight on this that I'm missing, let me know!

Oooooh, and then time to pick a pediatrician. At least then, you're picking a person rather than an just an institution, so there are real, tangible differences to base a decision on.