Some backstory - VBAC is very "controversial" around here. Only a handful of OBs in the Upstate of SC will do it, & it's illegal for a midwife attending a VBAC w/o a backup OB, so no birth centers offer VBAC. I would strongly consider HB (prefer it in many ways), but we live 30+ minutes from the hospital, so DH isn't game & I worry about the distance too.
Anyway, the largest local hospital started a Midwifery Care center a few months back, & they have backup OBs so they can do VBAC! They are even doing water birth in the hospital. I found out about the center the day before my 1st prenatal appt with my old OB,so I called & ended up talking to the head midwife for 30 minutes & had my appt scheduled in right away.
The difference in attitude was night & day. Instead of getting that "why are you asking questions/I'm in a hurry/appts shouldn't last more than 10 mins" feeling, I felt welcome & listened to. It was wonderful. I'm so excited - just had to share!
Re: First Prenatal Appt - Found a VBAC Willing Midwife!
Yay! I'm really excited for you. I'm still blown away in regards to how awesome it is to be cared for by a midwife than a hectic OBs office. I'm glad you found a supportive provider.
Congrats!!!!!!! (on your pregnancy of course!) .
Tell me more about the midwife stuff- I have been trying to find out a lot about the new midwife practice through GHS.
What OB did you previously use, did you completely transfer to the mw practice? My OB group (piedmont) is one of the ones who have the "partnership" with the mw practice according to the websites. So they offer free consults on wednesdays at the Simpsonville location, which i was thinking about doing. I am not planning on transferring to MW care, especially being hr with my bp issues, I don't think i would even be eligible.
And they're offering water birth now at GHS???? WOW . I am hoping the birth atmosphere overall is going forward a positive way for sure.
I also switched doctors and this is how I felt too. It has been amazing!! My first appt was 40 minutes worth of questions and backgrounds and she did not rush me at all. She suggested a water birth and I am strongly considering it...just need to get DH on board!
That's great! It baffles me that there aren't more docs willing to do VBACs. Even in Philadelphia, I had to search hard to find one.
Good luck!
I used Highlands previously. A couple of the docs are okay, but the whole atmosphere was not what I wanted this time, & they are not NB, VBAC, or even extended BFing friendly. I hadn't even gone to my 1st appt yet - I went ahead & set it up just to get in but knew I would "shop around". I thought my only MW option would be an under the radar HB, so I was really happy to find this.
They aren't doing water birth right now but will be very soon - def by the time I deliver. The practice just started a few months ago.
They are having a Meet the Midwives thing @ Patewood on Thurs @ noon next week. Double check me on the date & time though.
BTW, I can't believe how big Connor is getting. He's so cute!
Ari's getting a sibling?!? I missed this!
HUGE congratulations on the midwife and on the wonderful news!
I so wish I could do the meet the midwifes thing. Dang work! I am considering doing a consult to talk about the shared care option b/c they offer the consults on weds at the hwy 14 piedmont ob office and i'm off weds. I have an ob appt next week and i will ask the ob how things go.
. If i was not high risk, I think i would go full MW. I really do like my ob practice and find that then tend to be a little more NB friendly and VBAC friendly than some of the others in the upstate.
I did find the ghs midwifery fb page on a link from another mw that i know personally and love it! They post a lot of great links!
I didn't realize you were in my area, I have seen you post in working moms before! What practice are you using now?