OB/GYNs supporting natural birthing near King of Prussia?

myprayers

Hi All

I posted this in the 'Natural Birth' section and later realized that this forum may be more apt. Moderators, please excuse me this time...

I am a newbie here.  Am 33 years old and 7 weeks pregnant with my 1st baby. I am very interested in natural birthing and am looking at options in the local area around King of Prussia. A search shows 'the Birth Center' at Bryn MAwr and 'The Birthing suite' at Penn medicine.

Does anyone have a first-hand experience with either of these places? The latter seems to have a huge midwdifery practice integrated into their system. Any reviews on the OB/GYNs of 'the Birth Center' at Bryn Mawr?

 I need to see an OB/GYN soon and am not sure where to head.Any OB/GYNs in the area with support for natural birthing?

Your inputs are greatly appreciated. 

MAprincess

I was a Birth Center client with my first child.  I was transferred to Bryn Mawr Hospital and ended with a CS.  I had a good experience with the midwives but they are overseen by BMH and have had a LOT of restrictions placed on them in recent years. 

I VBACed my second child with a great midwife at Montgomery Hospital.  They are one of two VBAC friendly hospitals in the greater Philadelphia area and I had a better experience there with them than at Bryn Mawr Hospital or the Birth Center.  MH has a huge stigma because of it's location and what people hear about other departments in the hospital, but they are really top of the line in maternity and are extremely supportive of natural childbirth if you are looking for a hospital setting.  In other hospitals in the area, it really depends on what doctor is on call.

I'd suggest the Birth Center if you are looking for a truly natural birth but do go and speak to them about the restrictions that they have been placed under so that you are totally on the same page as them.  Good luck!

mrs pH

I only know of the Birth Center in Bryn Mawr.  We were seriously considering it but I decided to stay with my current OB/Gyn practice. 

There was nothing wrong with it but since this is my first, I feel more comfortable delivering in a hospital.  I would definitely consider delivering there for my second. 

Phillychickadee

My experience isn't first hand, but of my group of friends, I am the only one not to use the Bryn Mawr Birth Center.  Everyone raves about it.

Had I not been a wuss, I probably would have used it as well.

It is right across the street from the Bryn Mawr Hospital, so if there are complications of any kind, you have the hospital right there and a level 4 (I believe) NICU, so that is huge!  

Erin&Ryan

I basically weighed my options between the birth center or the hospital with my first. Since it was my first baby, and I was already very happy with my OB/GYN - I had Zachary at Bryn Mawr hospital but I had a totally natural delivery. The nurses were extremely supportive and well as the doctor (which was not my regular doc but the one on call since I had him on a Sunday) that delievered my son. I had such a great experience the first time, I went the same route with my daughter (OB/GYN with a natural birth and Bryn Mawr).

My doctor is in KoP - Dr. Philip Hirshman.

mzovoce

Firstly, the Natural Birth Board is a great place of support and information. Secondly, I was a birth center momma and can't say enough great things about them. During your appointments you never feel rushed and have about a half an hour every time. You are given your chart each time so you have a chance to review everything and see what the midwife wrote about your previous appointment. Not that I needed this, but it was so nice to have this as an option. After 2.5 days in labor I was transferred to BMH and ended up with a Csection. I didn't enjoy my experience at the hospital, but I didn't not enjoy it either, if that makes sense. It was just a hospital stay with lots of interruptions and other noises, etc. It's wonderful that they have a lactation consult, but I found her to be over zealous and a little bit of a turn off. I agree with Erin&Ryan, if you do decide to go with an OBGYN Dr. Hirshmann is amazing. He did everything he could to help me give birth vaginally, until it was determined that he wasn't coming that way. His partner Dr. Castelli handled my miscarriage and I really liked him. Apparently I am in the minority though, he is a little rough around the edges, but he was compassionate and straight forward with me. If the birth center changes their policies and we have more children we will use them, otherwise we will see Hirshmann/Castelli. Happy and healthy 9 months to you.

Stacyc625

Erin&Ryan:

I basically weighed my options between the birth center or the hospital with my first. Since it was my first baby, and I was already very happy with my OB/GYN - I had Zachary at Bryn Mawr hospital but I had a totally natural delivery. The nurses were extremely supportive and well as the doctor (which was not my regular doc but the one on call since I had him on a Sunday) that delievered my son. I had such a great experience the first time, I went the same route with my daughter (OB/GYN with a natural birth and Bryn Mawr).

My doctor is in KoP - Dr. Philip Hirshman.

Ditto all of the above. The nurses at BM hosp were VERY VERY wonderful and supportive about my desire to go unmedicated. I have the same doc as Erin as well. Congrats and GL