Hi ladies! And ?'s for those who go to Generations...

KatesTyger

Hi there ladies!

So I am also newly pregnant with an EDD of 8/24/12. I had a miscarriage late September so this was really our first month TTC again (DH was deer hunting during the first month haha). I am beyond excited, but also "catious optimistic" as I've been saying. I am hopeful that I'll be posting here for the next 9 months and beyond! I remember TK and TN being so helpful, and really look forward to your ladies advice.

That being said, I've read that a few of you go to Generations Women's in Shoreview? I have been going there for 2 years for normal yearly appts and really like it there. I see the midwives and have always been happy with the care I recieve. They were nice during the m/c and understood when I wanted to come in and get my blood tested after spotting, etc. The one thing I don't like is that there is only the one nurse and sometimes it takes awhile to get a call back after I leave a message. When I found out I was pregnant this time around I called and wanted to get in for a blood test confirmation and also a progesterone test to see if I was low, both of which they didn't want to and told me to act as if this is a normal pregnancy, which is it, but I guess I was just worried this time around and wanted to ease my mind! I do have my first appt. on the 11th with Joanie, and my first appt. with the midwives on the 20th.

I wanted to hear from the ladies that have gone/go there for their maternity care and birthing experience. I'm honestly not sure if I want a Dr. or a midwife - I've only seen the midwives there because they are easier to get into than Dr. France! I don't know yet how I feel about a natural birth vs. non, but have plenty of time to figure that out. I guess I'm leaning more towards natural, but would the midwives there not let you get pain medication if you really wanted it? Also, at what week can you hear the baby's heartbeat there? I know the don't do an u/s until 20 weeks, but I was hoping to hear a heartbeat before then!

Thanks in advance ladies for offering up any experience you'd had there, good or bad! Feel free to PM me as well!

aly&ky

I've been going to Generations for years for my annuals.

I've had two miscarriages myself and Joanie and the midwives have been wonderful. Because of my fertility issues, I transferred in/back from a specialist around week 10 and went in at that time for the normal testing.  I was able to hear the heartbeat at that time.  I don't know what's typical for a "normal" pregnancy, but due to both of our situations, I would think that you'll get in there earlier and have a little more hands on care than someone who hasn't had issues previously.

Also, I'll be using the midwives for my birth - and I'm planning on going natural.  The midwives fully support it, as well as the hospitals that they have privileges at (St. Joe's & St. John's), so that's really up to you.  I believe that the c-section rate for the midwives is 7.2?  Very low.  I don't have experience with Dr. France, I saw her when I was first diagnosed with PCOS and she wasn't that helpful and actually really turned me off - which is why I immediately transferred to a RE.  I fully understand that she's not an RE, but the way she just pawned off a six month rx of Clomid to me really freaked me out due to the possibility of over stimulation.  I'm sure some people love her, but I just needed a little more care then she obviously could provide me at that time.  So, long story short, that's why I'm using the midwives.

And, as a side note - I LOVE JOANIE.  LOL.  She's amazing and knows exactly what to say and is just lovely.  If you bring up your concerns to her, she'll definitely give you a straight answer and calm your fears  I broke down in her office right at the beginning of this pregnancy because I was terrified about another mc, and she was perfect.

As you said, the phone thing is what drives me the most crazy about that place, but I've learned to just follow-up if I don't hear anything when they tell me they'll be calling. If that's the only thing that I'm a crazy patient about, I'm sure it's less than some of their others... 

GL to you and a H&H 9 mos!

ilovebijou

Congratulations! I've been going to Generations for probably 4+ years. Prior to going to Generations, I was at another midwife clinic for annual exams. I LOVE Generations. I also really like Joanie. I haven't had any issues with her not calling me back. Usually she's really good about calling me about results, etc even when I wasn't expecting a call. From going to other clinics, I really like how she is kind of the point person and knows me by name when I call and can answer any questions I have or get an answer from the midwives right away. If you have any concerns I wouldn't hesitate to ask her or question her not getting back to you sooner.

I had a 7 week ultrasound with dd#1 but not with this pregnancy because I knew when I got pregnant. Joanie said that insurance companies aren't wanting to pay for them like they were a few years back unless you don't know when you conceived, or other reasons. I was fine with that and was able to hear the baby's heartbeat at 12 weeks. I've had a 20 week ultrasound and 26 week ultrasound. When I was pregnant with dd#1 I had a 7, 16, 20, 26 week ultrasound. The ultrasound tech is wonderful and I love that it's right in the clinic rather than having to go to the hospital (which would have cost us more because anything in the hospital goes against our deductible). If there is any concern during the pregnancy, they are great about getting you in right away for an ultrasound based on my past experience.

As far as seeing midwives versus a doctor, Joanie could explain what they offer vs. going to Dr. France. A midwife is going to be with you during the laboring process and during delivery. A doctor will be there usually just during delivery. I'm not sure if Dr. France delivers all her patients? She's very nice though and I would go to her if I had any complications that required a doctor overseeing the pregnancy. The midwives also work very closely with her. When I was having my issues with pre-eclampsia at the end of my first pregnancy she was involved in deciding what they should do. When I was in labor, Mary was with me from 7am until when I delivered at 5pm. She pretty much sat in my room the whole time and was directing the labor nurses in addition to helping me. I also had Penny there during my delivery because Mary needed to catch a flight in a few hours and Penny was going to take over. In addition, Dr. France was at my delivery because they were thinking they were going to need to use the vacuum but didn't need to. Dr. France had stopped over to the hospital 1-2 times in addition to when my daughter was delivered because there was a chance that I was going to need a c-section. I thought the care they provided me was better than I ever expected. My husband was a little leary about why we were using a midwife during my pregnancy but after the delivery he was so happy with them and said he couldn't imagine not using a midwife.

I had an epidural with dd#1 and will again with this pregnancy. They said that about 25% of their patients opt for an epidural but they aren't against it if that's what you choose. I had no desire to have a natural birth from the beginning and I was able to get an epidural at 4cm. I had to be induced because of pre-eclampsia and if I hadn't used a midwife I probably would have ended up with a c-section. They didn't start Pitocin with me after the Cervadil worked and just let things progress on their own.

Good luck with your pregnancy!

 

zestyfrog7

I have been going to Generations for years as well, starting with my normal yearly visits and then through my pregnancy with my daughter and now this pregnancy.  I actually see Dr. France and not a midwife. 

I have to be honest that Dr. France isn't perfect and we don't see eye to eye on everything but she was fantastic through my delivery of my daughter.  I absolutely did not want a C-section unless necessary, labor was 24 hours, active pushing for 6 hours and she was right there with me and being very encouraging during the pushing.  She didn't let me give up and she never once brought up a C-section.

Prior to my daughter I had 3 early MC's.  I ended up with a specialist but was bounced back to Dr France at week 14 or 16 or so.  I am on blood thinners and baby aspirin due to a blood clotting disorder.  Dr France doesn't see it as high risk and since I had my daughter she didn't see this pregnancy as a big deal.  However I of course was freaked out in the beginning and wanted an early ultrasound to make sure the pregnancy was viable if I was going to be giving myself shots.  She didn't agree so I ended up telling her that I would be going back to the specialist to get ultrasounds if she wouldn't do them.  She told me to do what I needed to do so I did.  She has been great about everything else though.

The ultrasound tech is great and it is so nice that it is in the office and that she can tell you everything.  I've heard that some other people aren't given any information during the actual ultrasound, that the doctor tells them after.

And I agree with PP Joanie is AWESOME!!  She has let me come in so many times to hear the heartbeat just to put myself at ease.  She always returns my calls and has a fantastic attitude.  She is kind, caring and blunt all at the same time.

I know Dr. France will try to hear the heartbeat as early as 10/11 weeks but it is just not always possible.  She is good about if we have heard it and we can't find it at another appointment, she will do an ultrasound.  

I do love that they are always on time for my appointments, I never have to wait around.  I see all the same people everytime and don't get bounced around like I hear about at other offices.

Good Luck!!!

nicole0066

Congrats! 

I switched to Generations at 12 weeks and have been very happy with them over the OB I was seeing.  I love how caring and personable Joani has been.  I felt very put out and not at ease with the nurses I saw at the other practice, but she has been wonderful and made me feel great about my decision to switch. 

I did my NT scan at my other OB's office, but only because Generations said they wouldn't be able to fit my in on time.  Based on that I'm assuming that they will do a 12 week u/s if you opt for that testing.  will be going for my a/s next week, but I'm not sure if that will be the last u/s or if they do a growth scan later on. 

I did have an early u/s at 6 weeks for dating purposes at my old practice.  Even though I was charting and knew when I ovulated my cycles were over 50+ days so they  did one since most practices will not go off a chart and instead use your LMP.  I'm not sure how Generations views charting vs. LMP and whether they would do an early u/s. 

When they asked me about an epidural I said that I'm not sure.  I'm not sure how I feel about committing to a natural birth.  If I need the epi then I don't feel bad asking for one.  They were fine with that.  They also said that unless I have complications, need a c-section, or a vacuum the midwives will be there for deliver.  They come in once you are in active labor (~4 cm) and then stay the rest of the time.  I assume that if I have a complication-free pregnancy then I will only see the midwives vs. Dr. France.

 The phone thing can be a little annoying, but if you follow up it should be no big deal.  I love how Joani will call with all results as well.  My old practice would only call if there was an issue.  That's fine for some people, but it took forever to get results.  I had blood drawn on Monday and Joani called yesterday just to let me know everything looked fine...very reassuring!

 

KatesTyger

Wow - thank you SO much ladies for your thoughtful answers! I think I am going to stay there as I really do like it. I love Joanie as well! I guess I was a bit put off that they wouldn't do the testing I wanted to ease my mind, but as Joanie said, this is a normal pregnancy (1 m/s is common unfortunatly) so there's no need to worry.

I have my first appt. with her on 1/11 and my first with the midwives on 1/20 so hopefully all will go well! Thank you again for your comments - I really appreciate it!

mrs.bridgettkay

Congratulations Kate!  Thoughts and prayers to you for a happy and healthy nine months!