Pls rec. your natural birth-friendly/non assembly line Ob/gyn

ellie_0528 · August 2010

I moved to Houston last year (Southwest, near Med Center), have a 15 month old, and am looking for a doctor who isn't going to pressure me to get induced at 39 weeks. I really want a good doctor who listens and respects your birth plan. I have a lot of unresolved guilt/regret issues regarding my previous induction, and I want things to be better next time. I would love some advice from women who have had good experiences! Thanks!

KelleyA · August 2010

My OB is a pretty no-pressure kind of doctor. She's actually quite conservative and likes for moms to stay pregnant as long as possible but she won't let you go more than 41 weeks since that's when the placenta starts to break down and the risks to the baby increase. She'll recommend what's best for you and the baby, ie: high blood pressure will result in an induction.

Dr. Kimberly Bobo

Women's Specialists of Houston

(713) 797-1144

I do have to say that I've had two inductions...ok, 1.5. My first DD was induced at exactly 40 weeks, my choice and Dr. Bobo obliged. 2nd time I was supposed to be induced (due to rapid labor...I birth my babies quickly) but my labor started the afternoon before my induction. I still didn't go in until the next day since the contractions weren't terribly painful. When they hooked me up they were already 2-3 minutes apart...just needed pitocin to make them stronger/make me progress.

KNJepp · August 2010

Would you be open to using a midwife?

wingedbride · August 2010

I second Dr. Bobo. She delivered my son in May. Very respectiful of my birth plan, but like the PP said, she will do what is medically best for you and the child.

Also- I had a cerclage through my pregnancy and had an issue with the hospital when having it removed. Well, she was not having that. She was the most amazing advocate for me and I can never thank her enough. I have never had any doctor fight for me, even against hospital administration, like she did.

cali_girl92504 · August 2010

A third for Dr. Bobo - she's pretty conservative so her preference is as natural as possible (though my idea of natural includes drugs Big Smile

)

Quizzle · August 2010

And another vote for Dr Bobo.

She is very conservative,. but always puts patient and baby first. I will say that I ended up with the birth I absolutely did not want (I had a scheduled c-section, when I'd intended to go into labor on my own and be as drug free as possible) but it was my call to schedule the C. Actually, a week or two before I ended up scheduling it, we'd discussed how I did NOT want an induction and how she'd let me go to 41 weeks.

I ended up having a very large baby (estimated 9 pounds+ at 39 weeks, born 9 lbs 11 oz at 40 weeks) with absolutely no progress and the baby not even remotely engaged so I was told I had to either induce or have a section. She was pretty realistic with me about my chances of ending up with a failed induction and what it would be like when I was so physically unfavorable to one, so I chose to just schedule the section.

I chose her because of her reputation for not being intervention happy.

jen5-03 · August 2010

I loved my last OB. Dr Hector del Castillo.

I went to 41wk 2days with my successful vbac and I had GD.

While he would have been happy to do a repeat c/s if I had wanted it, he really listened to me and respected my wishes. In the hospital he never suggested drugs (I did ask for them and get them though), and he never suggested giving up even though he could not leave the hospital until I delivered (standard hospital policy for vbacs) and he was there from 6am to 10pm.

ccc'swife · August 2010

I have to fourth (fifth?) the vote for Dr. Bobo. She is amazing. I cannot say enough about her and I am loyal for life to her.

Suzi-G- · August 2010

You might also consider the midwives at St. Lukes, they are in the same practice as Dr. Bobo and are VERY pro-natural. I ended up needing a c-section for reasons completely outside anyone's control but the midwives were fabulous. I didn't go into labor until 41weeks 1 day and we were just beginning to talk about induction options for the following week. They were absolutely OK w/ me laboring at home as long as I wanted, I didn't have to have an IV, they were very hands off, watch and wait, etc. I loved them.

imavera · August 2010

I delivered at West Houston Medical with Dr. Guilliams and was very happy. I never heard the word induction (delivered at 39w3d), never asked about getting an epidural, and I was allowed to eat, walk around, no IV and basically do whatever I wanted while in labor.