Personally, I am not Jewish. Dawn, although hella-jewy, isn’t very religious. Still there is an odd sense of ease that comes from being surrounded by the chosen people. This weekend when we went to the hospital (more on that below) we got a real treat. Those of you outside of New York have probably never seen a Sabbath Elevator. Well, let me tell you, it’s awesome! Basically it is a special elevator that, on weekends and Jewish holidays, stops on every floor. This allows more conservative jews (I’ll call them the über-chosen) to ride the elevator without having to touch any buttons, and thereby keep there sabbath button free. This may sound like cheating, but I say “G-d bless ‘um”.

This past weekend Dawn and I visited the Birth Center at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital. The Birth Center has all the advantages of a free standing birthing center, but with the added bonus of having a hospital, not only nearby, but literally surrounding you. It’s kind of like having a Starbucks in a Barnes and Noble, but not like that at all.

I will admit that I went in with a little bit of apprehension. When it comes to Baby Making, Dawn and I can be pretty picky. I think we where both concerned that the centers relationship with a hospital would make parts of our touchy-feally birth plan next to impossible. As it turns out, this couldn’t have been further from the case. If anything, the people at the birth center seamed more anti-hospital then we where! Kind of like having a Starbucks in Cuba… Wait, what?

About The Author - My name is Stirling McLaughlin. I am married. I am an Art Director, Designer and Illustrator. I work at Atmosphere BBDO. I have lots of ideas. I have a baby girl named Nika Bean. I live in New York City. When I was in college, they put me on TV because I wore a mask and yelled at people. I have a reality show that I wil be starting… any day now. - See My Portfolio