WWYD? Follow OB or find new OB?

playera

 Hi everyone!  I'm a serious lurker who's been watching the boards for years but never really posted.  But now I'm in a bit of a conundrum and would appreciate your advice. 

 

I just found out that my OB practice will now be delivering at a hospital about an hour away from where I live (original hospital was only 25 minutes away). My OB is super supportive of natural births as is the original hospital and the new hospital. So do I follow my OB and go to a hospital an hour away or do I find a new OB who delivers at the closer hospital? One thing to bear in mind is that my OB is one of a handful of OB that are truly supportive of natural births. Now this is my second child and I delivered naturally with my first (different OB out of state) with no complications. And this pregnancy has gone smoothly and don't foresee any complications again. 

 

So WWYD? 

 

 

utlawgirl

If it were me, I'd stick with the OB you know and trust, and just get to the hospital as soon as you're sure you're in active labor. 

KateLouise

It depends for me. How far along are you, and is your OB able to recommend someone who delivers at the closer hospital?

Also is it possible/probable that you could end up with a different OB during delivery if your OB is busy/off duty?

If it was me, I'd prefer to stick with who I know. But if he can recommend someone who is equally natural birth friendly, and it's quite likely you could end up with a different doctor anyway when in labour, then I might go ahead and switch. 

playera

So I'm 27 weeks along. And no there are no guarantees that I'll actually have my OB on dday it's whoever is on call that day. Ugh, don't know what to do!!

aylafsu88

How are the other OBs in the practice?  Since you will get the on call OB you should ask/consider how natural birth friendly they are.  I would ask your OB how she feels the other OBs would handle a natural birth. Also, is there any way you could meet with them during your appointments?  This way you would be able to ask them specific questions and get a feel for how supportive they would be. I went with a large practice (8 OBs total) but say one main OB for my visits.  I rotated through a couple of other OBs.  Overall, I felt like the practice was very natural birth friendly so we stuck with them.  When I went into labor the on call OB was one I had never meet.  He was very supportive of natural birth, probably more so than my main OB. I ended up having a great L&D. 

If the other OBs would be supportive of a natural birth I say stick with the practice.  If you get a weird vibe and do not feel like they would respect your wishes than switch.  You can ask your current OB who she would recommend that delivers at the closer hospital and is natural birth friendly. 

AmyRI

How long was your first labor?

Is there a midwifery option at the original hospital, or do you know anyone that can recommend a NB friendly OB at the original hospital?

nodito

If they are switching offices, will your prenatal appts move too?  I would defintely factor that in since you'll be needing to see the OB a lot during the last trimester. 

playera

aylafsu88:

How are the other OBs in the practice?nbsp; Since you will get the on call OB you should ask/consider how natural birth friendly they are.nbsp; I would ask your OB how she feels the other OBs would handle a natural birth. Also, is there any way you could meet with them during your appointments?nbsp; This way you would be able to ask them specific questions and get a feel for how supportive they would be. I went with a large practice 8 OBs total but say one main OB for my visits.nbsp; I rotated through a couple of other OBs.nbsp; Overall, I felt like the practice was very natural birth friendly so we stuck with them.nbsp; When I went into labor the on call OB was one I had never meet.nbsp; He was very supportive of natural birth, probably more so than my main OB. I ended up having a great Lamp;D.nbsp; If the other OBs would be supportive of a natural birth I say stick with the practice.nbsp; If you get a weird vibe and do not feel like they would respect your wishes than switch.nbsp; You can ask your current OB who she would recommend that delivers at the closer hospital and is natural birth friendly.nbsp;

From what I've heard all the doctors at the practice are natural friendly with some more than others.

playera

AmyRI:

How long was your first labor?
Is there a midwifery option at the original hospital, or do you know anyone that can recommend a NB friendly OB at the original hospital?

I labored for 6 hrs 4 at home/ 2 in hospital and pushed for 5. There are definitely other doctors/midwives I could go but all are out of our insurance network a whole other factor to my decision.

playera

nodito:

If they are switching offices, will your prenatal appts move too?nbsp; I would defintely factor that in since you'll be needing tonbsp;see the OB a lot during the last trimester.nbsp;

The OB office isn't moving, just where they will be delivering.

SeaConquest

playera:

AmyRI:

How long was your first labor? Is there a midwifery option at the original hospital, or do you know anyone that can recommend a NB friendly OB at the original hospital?

I labored for 6 hrs 4 at home/ 2 in hospital and pushed for 5. There are definitely other doctors/midwives I could go but all are out of our insurance network a whole other factor to my decision.

I don't understand the "pushed for 5." Hours? Minutes? I assume this was likely a typo. But, based on an overall 6 hour first labor, you may be cutting it close with an hour drive for a second birth.   

rooftop

Follow your doc, an extra 35 min isn't unreasonable to guarantee you will get the support you want and need.