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Going Natural at Northwestern?

mexicolombianamexicolombiana member
in Illinois Babies

After talking to some of my friends who delivered at Prentice, I am now having some concerns about wanting an all natural delivery there.  I have heard their epidural rate is quite high.

Any thoughts or experiences?

I just don't want drugs unless they are absolutely necessary.  I'm especially trying to avoid pitocin and an epidural.

I understand that the circumstances surrounding my labor may require some drugs to speed up labor if there is a problem, and I'm fine with that, but I would really like it considered only as a last resort.  I'm getting the impression that this may be difficult to achieve at Prentice.

TIA!





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Re: Going Natural at Northwestern?

  • CTJourneyCTJourney

    Honestly I think it has a lot to do with your doctor.  I had an extensive list of questions that I asked my doctor at my 12 week appt.  After I asked all my questions though, I got the impression that she wasn't entirely supportive of natural births (although she said she was).  I was uneasy, so I switched to the midwife group with NMPG.

    My experience was phenomenal with them.  They were incredibly supportive throughout my entire labor, and I ended up delivering my son in a birthing tub at Prentice.  I couldn't have done it without their support.  I did not have an epidural but I DID have pitocin, but that was because my water broke at home and 12+ hours my labor did not progress (your risk of infection increases significantly 24 hours after your water breaks).  

    My best advice is to make sure your doctor is 100% on the same page as you.  If you have any questions please feel free to ask me.   

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  • jazzcrawfordjazzcrawford

    my first delivery I went all natural I was in labor for 8 hours.............this time around I'm opting for an epidural!! lol

     

    I'm happy with the level of care I'm receiving from my OB and her staff, it's a very busy practice as well as a large practice and I don't feel as though I'm being lost in a crowd.

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  • BabyCopperBabyCopper

    According to the nurse/ instructor this past weekend at the Great Expectations class, the national average for epidurals is about 31.xx%.   Northwestern's stat is about 29.xx%, so below national average. 

    What I don't get - and I'm honestly not trying to be snarky here - is that if you don't want an epidural, you don't HAVE TO have one.  No one will be forcing you to take an epidural.  You have to ask for it, sign a consent form, etc. 

    Now the pitocin on the other hand?  I will end up deferring to my doctor to use that wisely as someone else has already mentioned the whole time factor from when your water breaks. 

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  • trevesstrevess

    I don't have any experience with that hospital specifically, but have you thought about writing a birth plan?  I can send you a copy of mine if you'd like it.  Sounds like we were of a similar mindset going into labor and delivery- and I was able to deliver my baby 100% naturally.  Because of my birth plan, no one even uttered the word "Epidural" to me the entire time =)  You can read my birth story in my blog below and shoot me an email if you'd like a copy of my birth plan carollyn_e at hotmail dot com

    Also, if you haven't read it yet I highly recommend "Your Best Birth" by Rikki Lake and Abby Epstein.  Best of luck- you can do it! 

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  • MrsWindyCityMrsWindyCity member
    Obviously I can't say whether or not I've had one yet, but I am aiming for a natural birth at Prentice. My OB is completely supportive of my plan and she recommended I get a doula (which I was already considering, anyway).  I think one of the major things is laboring at home as long as possible, and I know our doula will be really helpful with this. With Prentice, just like any hospital, you are basically "on the clock" the minute you get there.  If you're not progressing the way they want you to progress, that's when the pitocin and all the other interventions come. So I'm just hoping to get there when I am already relatively far along.  Right now my main concern is having to be induced just because I'm late - hopefully this baby comes out soon! 
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  • orienaeorienae
    I have heard the same thing about Prentice, one review I read said that the anethesiologists (sp?) were trolling the halls to do C-sections!  I'm sure that's an exageration, and I am just as certain it has a lot to do with your doctor, mine has an extremely natural hands off approach.  However, I'm not laboring at Prentice, I'm going to be at Rush.  I was disapointed at first because of all of the features that Prentice has to offer, birthing tubs, massage, etc.  Rush does have some of these things but it's just not as new, and since I have learned some things about Prentice and how my friends felt about it (some have said they feel like it is a baby delivery factory, in and out), I'm happy to be at Rush.
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  • jazzcrawfordjazzcrawford

    every hospital is in business to generate profits, so every maternity ward is a "baby factory" I've had 4 people very close to me deliver at Prentice two of the births I was actually there for and it was a very beautiful experience.  The mothers and babies received wonderful care. 

    I plan on staying home as long as I can walking the baby down I pray I have a "speedy" delivery!!

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  • cassiejbeercassiejbeer
    Actually, Northwestern's epidural rate is ~90%. It's their c-section rate that is 29% (with the national average ~31%). That being said, I don't think anyone is going to force you to have an epidural. As long as you feel comfortable with your doctor and they know what you want, you should be able to do whatever you want!
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  • MrsWindyCityMrsWindyCity member
    Just wanted to update and say I got the delivery I wanted at Prentice. No meds whatsoever, not even an IV.  That said, I arrived there fully dilated.  Don't ask me how! I went through transition in the car and thought I might lose it lol. 
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  • BabyCopperBabyCopper
    imagecassiejbeer:
    Actually, Northwestern's epidural rate is ~90%. It's their c-section rate that is 29% (with the national average ~31%). That being said, I don't think anyone is going to force you to have an epidural. As long as you feel comfortable with your doctor and they know what you want, you should be able to do whatever you want!
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  • BabyCopperBabyCopper

    imagecassiejbeer:
    Actually, Northwestern's epidural rate is ~90%. It's their c-section rate that is 29% (with the national average ~31%). That being said, I don't think anyone is going to force you to have an epidural. As long as you feel comfortable with your doctor and they know what you want, you should be able to do whatever you want!

     Sorry - clear "pregnancy brain" in my post there!  Yes, I def meant c-sections. 

    And MrsWindyCity - congrats!!!!!!  He's beautiful!  Hope you are healing well and enjoying every moment with your new little man!

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