in an area w/ few options for OBs

Faith1318

I have had two natural births in hospitals with midwives, and I love the practice I go to right now - but we are moving. To the middle of nowhere. In researching all of my options - from home birth to birth centers to hospitals anywhere within a 150-mile radius - I am realizing that I am going to feel most comfortable in a hospital, and I will be most relaxed laboring at home if I know the hospital is nearby. So, I am planning to stay close to home and deliver at the local (military) hospital.

 I had a good experience with DD1 at our (then-local) military hospital, so I don't know why this makes me so nervous. Maybe I got spoiled with my providers/hospital for #2... but, as far as I can tell, this hospital doesn't have any crazy strict policies that are going to prevent me from doing what I have done while in labor with either of my first two babies. It sounds okay - maybe not ideal, but okay.

I guess I don't know what the point of this post is. I'm just sad that I have to leave the midwives I'm with now. And while I know I *could* travel from our new house to get to a more natural-friendly facility, I think it would add more anxiety in the end. I have fast labors, and had a partial placental abruption with #2, so I think I would end up being afraid of the long drive.

Anyone else who had few options for hospitals, but still managed to have a great experience?

 

aylafsu88

I live in a smaller city.  There is only 1 hospital and 1 birth center within a 1-2 hour drive. A home birth is not really an option because only 1 MW in the city is willing to do them. I delivered at the hopsital and had a wonderful experience.  IMO it is all about your provider and how NB friendly they are.  My OB was excellent and the nurses were very respectful when I told them I wanted a natural birth.  I did set myself up for the birth I wanted by laboring at home as long as possible, refusing continuous monitoring and having a great support system. I know you are anxious but stay positive.  GL!

tokenhoser

All hospital births take place at one in my city. They're not particularly natural birth friendly - I think 80-90% of women get an epidural.

I stick with my family doctor for my pregnancies. She was great last time - patient and supportive. I feel like the family medicine model of care is closer to a midwife than an OB. Just another thing to consider - OBs deliver most babies, but some family doctors still deliver. And mine gives very very good odds that she herself will attend my birth, as most of her patients aren't pregnant so she can attend her births without over reaching herself. 

Faith1318

Thanks ladies - part of what makes me nervous is not really knowing WHO my provider will be, especially in Labor & Delivery. (But I do think being seen by the family practice clinic may be an option!)

 I'm just trying to focus on the fact that most OBs don't come in until the pushing stage anyway. I tend to have quick labors, and I plan to stay home until I am in transition if everything is going well. So I'm hoping for the best and crossing my fingers for nice, natural-friendly nurses. 

 Thanks for the encouragement!

JCWhitey

I just made the switch from midwifes because of a move.  It made me sad, too!  I ended up finding a hospital where I could be treated by a family doctor instead of an OB and I am soooo happy I made that decision.  I feel more like a person and not just a patient.  It's a small hospital in a smaller town and she only has three other expecting moms right now so I get a lot more individual attention, which is very nice.  She's also very pro-natural birth.  Maybe you could see if there's an option like that where you are going.

Oh, and we did opt to go an hour and a half away for our delivery.  We're going to get a hotel at a nearby hospital and when I go into labor we'll just go there and hang out until I'm ready to go to the hospital.  Kind of a "best of both worlds" idea.  So there's another idea.