Limited Birthing Options

AriB08

Hello everyone, 

I'm Arielle and I'm new to the bump as of today! I am 9 weeks pregnant with my first child and am excited/nervous. One major concern I have right now is my lack of ability to find options for birthing. My husband is in the Army and we are currently moving from NC to AL. Unfortunately, I have not been seen by an OB yet due to issues with Tricare insurance not allowing me to schedule in AL until our actual report date (Jul 10) and the post on NC giving me the run around and wanting to wait until I'm 12 weeks to schedule an OB appt after I confirmed at my provider. Fort Rucker, AL doesn't have an OB on post, which I thought was a blessing because now I can seek my own care provider of choice. However, now I have found that AL has strict birthing laws and I cannot find a single midwife or birthing clinic that is less than 2 hours away (most being in another state.) I'm very set on having a natural birth, if possible, and do not want to be stuck in a hospital bed through my whole labor being pressured to get an epidural or induced. 

Anyone else with a similar experience or going through the same thing?
Suggestions?

TinaBelcher

I'd suggest you hire a doula to get the best experience out of the hospital birth that you'll likely have to have. Southern states in general just don't have options for reproductive health care that you'd find elsewhere, I'm sorry that you're in this position!

A doula will at least be 100% on your team and advocate for you and your desires. Also just because you're in a hospital doesn't mean it's automatically an intervention-heavy birth.

GL!

LCartee2016

@AriB08 I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time finding birthing options and I wish I had any insight for you. I'm in AL too and I just wanted to say welcome and I hope you're able to find what you need. 

AriB08

@TinaBelcher There is a doula in our area that I plan to meet when we arrive. My only apprehension is that, from what I've gathered, the doula will only meet with me twice before delivery and then will be present for delivery. While I realize this is better than nothing, I have A LOT of anxiety about doctors/medical procedures and was hoping to have someone there through the whole process (hence my draw to a midwife.) Like I said, I think you're right about a doula; still better than nothing.

@LCartee2016 Thank you for the welcome! Where in AL are you (if you don't mind sharing) and are you seeing an OB with "regular" hospital birth planned?

LCartee2016

@AriB08 I'm in the Argo/Odenville area (between Birmingham and Gadsden). Yes and I  absolutely love my obgyn at Brookwood. I use Dr. Kennedy, in with Women's Care Specialists. I like that, even though it's a hospital setting, it caters strictly to women's health and the doctors and nurses are all women. It makes me extremely comfortable, especially since I'm a PGAL mom to be. My obgyn is an absolute saint and always answers my questions and takes loads of time with me, because to be honest, I'm a very needy patient and I require a LOT of hand holding and reassurance. 

Edited for grammar. 

Dinozaur

I'm also military, but in a different location. I am only allowed to go to one specific hospital, and they have midwives there but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get one or not. I feel you on the not wanting to be confined to a bed and all, but so far it seems like my hospital is pretty good about letting you move around, they have birthing balls, etc. So maybe you can look around at some hospitals and see what the environment is like there? My plan is honestly to just stay at home as long as possible where I'm comfortable. 

AlabamaRedhead

Check with your OB or look around . Mine in Montgomery has nurse midwives which aid in more natural births. I don't use theither midwives, but they do have them. 

LoneStar21416

@arib08 are you on Tricare Standard or Prime? I would call and see if Tricare will even cover you at a birthing center. They should be able to answer those questions regardless of what region you are in. It may be a moot point and you may have to go with a traditional hospital. I think you'd have more flexibility with standard, but it may not matter. Try to get linked up with some spouse groups when you get settled and get some real feedback from people that have delivered while stationed there. See where they've gone and what they think. Good luck. PCSing is never easy!

AriB08

@Dinozaur There are only two hospitals in the area and I can be delivered at either with Tricare, it depends on which provider I go with and where they deliver that determines where I end up. While they will set me up with whoever they pick from the list if I simply call for it, I was told by a representative that if I call with a covered provider in mind they will write the referral for that person. I reached out to some forums of ladies in the area and found one hospital has showers, tubs, squat racks, and other tools for birthing and I received the name of a doctor who is supportive of natural birthing plans in the area and delivers their. Crossing my fingers that he is what I'm hoping for. Also looking into a doula service, out of pocket.

@LoneStar21416 I have Prime. Birthing centers are covered because, believe it or not, they end up being cheaper than most hospitals in the long run. You can even search birthing centers and midwives under Tricare's provider search options. That doesn't mean all but those certified and accepting coverage can be allowed. There are just NONE in the area Here at Bragg, our hospital actually has midwives at the Army Medical Center. I found a forum last night for wives on Fort Rucker and they've given many good suggestions, including a doctor who is supportive of natural birth who delivers at a hospital with really nice L&D suites. I will tour when we get to AL. Thanks for the ideas!!!

therealfrizzle

See if you can take tours of the hospitals once you've moved there. DH and I are very pro-natural birth and have been looking at BCs in our area but found none we were comfortable with that were covered by our insurance. Took a tour of a hospital yesterday and the nurse who gave the tour basically read my mind on everything that I wanted. They allow for and encourage water labor, she doesn't like to give medicines unless it's necessary or requested by the mom, they encourage you to walk or dance or use balls, you can deliver in whatever position feels best, and they emphasized how you should not be laying in the bed unless you feel you need to. We were blown away because we always thought hospitals were very much a medicinal conveyor belt that pushed you through as quick as possible.

AriB08

@PMForbie That's relieving. It's hard not to make assumptions about hospitals with all the stories you hear or things you witness. I'm terrified of being confined to a bed or treated like a fool for not wanting the epidural, both scenarios I've witnessed while attending the labor of friends. I've literally used your same analogy: that I feel that a lot of hospitals treat you like your making a factory product rather than a baby! I hope I find the same luck with the L&D options I have in our new location and SO happy for you that you found somewhere you feel at peace with. I will be touring for sure!