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3rd Trimester
sweetmelodies&harmonies
member
I just want a natural birth, dammit.
sweetmelodies&harmonies
member
We took our hospital's class this weekend, and I was pretty discouraged by the end of it. I was hoping to find that they'd be flexible and supportive of a natural birth plan (I'll be using hypnobirthing), but that wasn't really the case. I want to have as few interventions as possible, but the nurse acted like I was going to be a huge problem because I didn't want the IV, I will be eating/drinking during labor (against hospital policy), etc. And when I asked if we could decline the "standard" two bags of pitocin after delivery, she basically said, "Sure, if you want to hemorrhage." I don't want to have to fight the hospital every step of the way, but I guess I will if I have to. Has anyone switched providers this late in the game? The military has us stationed in the middle of nowhere, so switching providers would mean an hour's drive to a different town, and paying for everything out of pocket.
I have my next OB appointment in two weeks and will talk to my OB then. Maybe I just got an irritable nurse? What do you think? Any other natural mamas having a similar problem?
(Also, I'm looking for a doula ... there appears to be one in town, but she hasn't gotten back to me yet. I thought the support/intervention with hospital staff might be helpful.)
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Re: I just want a natural birth, dammit.
Unfortunately, no doulas or midwives are available through my OB or the hospital. There's only one listed in my city, actually, on DONA.com, and I'm waiting for her to get back to me.
I know the feeling...when I went to the hospital we'd been planning on going to talk to the charge nurse she seemed to think that we'd gotten pregnant so we could have a natural birth, not a healthy baby. NO ONE gets pregnant so they can have birth--we all get pregnant to have good, cute, healthy, little babies
It's good to remember that you have the right to refuse medical treatment and to be confident about your options. You don't have to have an IV, hep/saline lock, monitoring, meds, or anything. "Hospital procedure" means them doing what they are told by their legal staff. You aren't bound by hospital procedure
That said, who wants a crabby staff treating you like a monster at your most vulnerable? Our Bradley teacher suggested talking to the charge nurse to get your nurse changed if you have a problem, and aside from bringing a birth plan, to bring cookies/pie/goodies for the nursing staff. Not even professional needle stickers are immune to a little buttering up
That said...we have a lot of different options with our insurance and we're going somewhere else. I hope that the doula is able to come through for you!
I can't offer any useful advice either, but I wanted to say how sorry I am that you have to deal with such narrow minded medical professionals. I am an American living in Dublin, Ireland and thankfully, over here, they prefer women to go as natural as possible.
I really hope you are able to achieve the birth you want!
Eh - you can refuse the IV and the pitocin. Hospital policy doesn't trump your right to refusal. And what are they going to do if they catch you eating - kick you out? No - they'll just roll their eyes and get over it.
Hopefully your OB is totally on board with your birth plan - that's all that really matters, if you ask me.
First of all, your doggie is adorable!!!!
I have given up wanting a natural birth (or as natural as possible). Started this pregnancy reading the bradley books, and feel I completely agree and understand that a woman's body knows what to do, so the best thing is to let nature run its course.
However, then I figured out that I will need an IV of antibiotics b/c I'm GBS+. Wanted to stay at home as long as possible before heading to the hospital, but my dr said not to linger too long at home since they need at least 4 hrs for the IV to be in. Once on the IV, I'm pretty much stuck in bed at the hospital. Originally wanted to be walking, on a ball, kneeling, squatting, etc. But from my hospital class, that doesn't seem to jive.
Worst of all, I'm going to the dr on tuesday, and if I haven't made progress (been a 1/2 cm for 2 weeks), the dr is scheduling an induction. I'll be at the hospital the night before, they will give me the catheter with the bubble at the end (don't know the technical term, sorry), and then pitocin in the morning. Sounds great! With a little pitocin (which I think will live up to its name of "devil's juice"), why don't I just get the stinking epidural since I don't have too many options except lying in the bed with a needle in my arm anyway. Might as well get comfortable.
So I threw my birth plan out the window, and I'm just going with it. I trust my doctor. I know things are going to be fine, and I have to deal with the situation right now.
Things don't always go as planned. I'm just going to go with it and hope for the best.
Good luck to you!
I am hoping for a natural birth as well. I think the thing to keep in mind is that you have the right to refuse anything. SO if you dont want the pitocin then tell them no when they go to administer it. If you want to eat and drink, then go ahead and do so. I dont think I would switch providers. I would just go into labor with the knowledge of what I will and will not allow them to do.
We are using a doula for our hospital birth and I would definitely recommend using one if possible. They can be the "calm in the storm" for you and can serve as a support system during labor. If you can check and see if there are any birthing centers in your area. If there are then call them and see if they know of any other doulas in the area that you might contact. Not all doulas are DONA certified. Mine isnt yet, she is almost finished with the process though. And her fee's are more reasonable because of this.
Good luck!
I had to FIGHT with my first hospital, and my OB group was NOT supportive of my choices which made everything very difficult.
I am with a new midwife group and they are the "first line of defense" against hospital policies that jeopardize what we want.
That's really a bummer that they're being so uncooperative. The hospital where I had DD provided a birthing ball, labor tub (no delivery in tub), and birthing bars. They encouraged walking around and lots of movement as long as the baby was stable. My nurse helped me say no to pitocin when my OB wanted to go right to it when I arrived with my water broken and no contractions. I ended up with a nearly natural birth, having 1 shot of stahdal (sp?). This time I know I can make it so I plan to go 100% natural.
Definitely seek out a doula. I'm not sure I would go to another hospital though as I can't imagine driving an hour while in labor.
My guess is this nurse saw you as "the trouble maker", (not saying you are- just her perception). You know, that kid in the class that gets the other kids going - and she was afraid you would put ideas in the heads of all the other women. Hopefully she won't be on duty when you go into labor :-)
Ruby
i switched from ob to midwife because i wasn't being listened to. a doula would really help you if you can get one for your birth-- just to advocate. that is ridiculous that the nurse was behaving that way. you may want to talk to someone else in the hospital about your wishes and definitely make a short and sweet birth plan and bring a basket of treats for the nurses.
1. you don't NEED an IV unless you need antibiotics for group b and as long as everything is going well and you aren't dehydrated. if you have group b and need antibiotics, get a hep lock so you can stay mobile and they have to tell you what they are hooking you up to.
2. sneak food and drink-- we're doing it and have no qualms
3. 2 bags of pitocin after birth as a standard procedure is ridiculous. breastfeeding after birth should take care of contracting your uterus.
i'm sorry you have to deal with that.