Lurker with a question

MrsMcC.10409

Hello. I hope I'm not being intrusive. I don't post on this board because I don't equate my struggles with some of you other mamas that are facing bigger hurdles than me. But i do have a WWYD question that I thought other high risk mamas might understand better than most.

I am insulin dependant GD. Because of this, along with other factors, I will be having a CS. I was really going to push to hold off until 39w2d, because my OB said she would induce at 39w. Well, turns out she'll be on vacation at that time. I haven't talked to her face to face about it yet, but her nurse told me about her absense.

So it looks like I'll have a choice to make. I can either attempt to find and bond with a new doctor at 8m pregnant with a "high risk" pregnancy, or agree to deliver my son closer to 38 weeks. While I would have been fine with anything after 37w if he was showing signs of stress due to the GD, I'm not as comfortable doing it because of the OB's schedule. Which would you choose? Is 38w-38w4d ok, or is every day worth fighting for?

LaBellaVida

There isn't another Dr. in the office that can deliver you while your OB is out on leave?

I would say keep baby in as long as possible. I wouldn't opt for an early C-section just so your Dr. can be the one to perform the C-section. I would go ahead and find a new OB if I was the one in your shoes.

Unless of course....baby would be better to come earlier due to problems.

I would do what is best for baby, and not for convenience.

Jnyb

I also wondered about another provider in the practice or an associate who covers for vacations. My old practice (I moved) was very much of the policy that you saw one doctor and that doctor delivered the baby. So, they made no effort to rotate prenatal care around the office except in a rare circumstance (like mine was sick for several weeks so they scheduled me for another doctor that day). I went into labor on a holiday. Guess what - my provider wasn't on call and I got an absolute stranger. Pushing was downright sucky with the total stranger. It was even to the point where I wondered how they could work in the same practice and yet be so different in terms of views on labor and delivery. But really, a provider can have a crappy personality and be a darned good surgeon. So, if you know you are going to have a CS why not let someone else do it. If that total stranger can familiarize herself with my chart in the 30 minutes between consenting and cutting and the CS go off without a hitch, I bet anyone else can do your CS that is scheduled out in advance even without much prep time. If you went into spontaneous labor right now and your doc is not available, I guarantee that someone with a medical degree will do your CS. 

CNYBride05

I'm biased due to my 99% chance of preterm delivery, but I'd say 38w is fine.  However, I don't think I should be based in your OB's schedule and I think it's sh!tty of her bit to tell you she's going away.  Another situationally based bias here, but does it matter who's doing your c/s?  We won't have any say or know who's delivering our girls until I get in the delivery room most likely...

Good luck and FX for a healthy delivery at 38 or 39 weeks  

MyPlus5

CNYBride05:

I'm biased due to my 99% chance of preterm delivery, but I'd say 38w is fine.  However, I don't think I should be based in your OB's schedule and I think it's sh!tty of her bit to tell you she's going away.  Another situationally based bias here, but does it matter who's doing your c/s?  We won't have any say or know who's delivering our girls until I get in the delivery room most likely...

Good luck and FX for a healthy delivery at 38 or 39 weeks  

 Ditto! 

MrsMcC.10409

Thank you for your feedback. Yes, there are other OBs within the practice. However, when I asked several weeks ago if I should meet any of them, my OB said no, she delivers 95% of her babies. So I don't know any of them. If I know in advance that I will have a different OB deliver the baby, I would want to spend the next 6 or so weeks getting to know that person and their manner. I have been with my OB for 5 years - if I switch to someone else, I would want to research them and be confident in their abilities.

My NICU nurse friend said that with my history, I shouldn't switch docs. However, the idea of scheduling a CS for any other reason than him being ready to come out does not sit well with me. I do appreciate your feedback and will definitely keep it in mind as I figure out how to porceed. Thank you, and all the very best of luck to all of you.