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Need Advice about OB (long)

Sunnysmile6/19/09gSunnysmile6/19/09g member
in 2nd Trimester

Hi Ladies!

So DH and I just moved to a new state where we do not know anyone.  When I found out I was pregnant I asked a few women DH worked with who their OB/GYN was, but I told them it was just for my yearly visit (all of them have had babies).  Three out of four of the girls recommended an OB/GYN in a town 20 minutes away and one girl recommended the midwife in my town I am now seeing.  At the time I could not figure out why all the girls had gone out of town and I did not want to ask because I did not want to have to say I was pregnant.

Well last night I had a couple over who told me the reason why her and her friends go out of town is because the OB/GYN community in the town and the hospital are not pain medication friendly.  Basically she said they make getting an epidural a real battle and will make you fight for it and you even have to watch a video before they will do it.  The last thing I need to worry is having to fight for pain relief when I am in labor.  The hospitals website talks a lot about a intrathecal analgesic, which they refer to as a walking epidural, but it only last for two hours and my friend last night said is worthless because you still feel a lot.

 So I was up all night stressed out.  My next appointment with my midwife is not until October 26th at which time I will be 19 weeks.  I plan to discuss this with her then, but am afraid it I decide to switch OB's at that time it will be to late.

What do you ladies think?  Any advice is greatly appreciated:O) 

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Re: Need Advice about OB (long)

  • ambizzeambizze
    oh wow! that blows! I would go the 20 minutes...is another hospital 20 mins away, too. Maybe call the hospital and ask directly how they handle epidurals. Just to head off any untrue/half-truth rumors. Good luck =)
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  • smiles4yasmiles4ya member

    Hmm This is a new one....

    I'm sure you can switch.  If you aren't comfortable, find a new dr. or at least make a good faith effort to find one. 

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  • NiniJ55NiniJ55 member

    Frist of all: It's never too late to switch doctors if you feel you need to.  I was just about to switch doctors for insurance purposes but did not have to because things ended up working out for me.  But - I would change doctors as late as 30 weeks if I felt I really needed to.  I think doctors will still take you up to that point (I really doubt they will take you after that). 

    Second of all:  I am wondering what state you moved to.  Why would you need to fight for an epidural - It seems to me that now a days you need to fight to go natural - so your post catches me by surprise.  It is not right that they are doing that to women.  The woman in labor should be able to have their choice on how they want to deliver their child. 

    Good luck making a decision. 

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  • Vishenka69Vishenka69

    It's important to feel comfortable with your midwife/doctor and for them to respect your choices.  Discuss your preference for an epidural at your next appt and see what the reaction is.  If they still lean toward a more natural birth and you don't, then go ahead and switch docs/practices.  I don't think 19/20 weeks too late to switch, just make sure that you tell your current office to forward all your paperwork (chart, etc.) to the new office.  If several women were happy with a doctor in the next town, then just go there.  20 minutes isn't far at all for a piece of mind.

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  • lgndangellgndangel

    I don't believe it's ever too late to switch.  I think I have read on here that there are girls that have switched later than you due to insurance issue etc.  Your current dr will have to transfer all medical records to your new dr  so it's not like your new ob will not know your history.  it might be a pain to get the records transferred but if you feel that you will have a better pregancy/delivery I say go for it.

    GL

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  • kimilanekimilane

    First, switch if that's what will make you feel more comfortable.

    Second, talk to your midwife now about getting an epidural if you know that's what you want. I used to work in a hospital and it's always the patient's right to determine what is best for them. You have the right to have proper pain management and as long as there are no legal reasons they can't do it, you should be able to have one. If you want to stay with the midwife you have now, start talking to her now about getting one and get it into her head now that when you go into labor, you will have an epidural or she'll have to answer for it.

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  • laurenrobbielaurenrobbie
    If you are otherwise happy with your midwife I'd talk to her about it directly. It may just be hearsay about the hospital not allowing you an epidural. Or you can call the hospital directly to ask. Either way, I'd get the facts before you make the change!
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  • Mrs.BoomBoomMrs.BoomBoom
    My daughter was born without medication.  It wasn't very bad.  Your town sounds great!  Embrace the natural methods.  Why someone would want to be flat on their back, not able to walk around, with a catheter during labor is beyond me (people who WANT c-sections confuse me too)
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  • e-bridetobee-bridetobe
    You can switch at anyt ime. 19 weeks is not to far along. Although, if it were me, I would switch now.
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