Community› The Bump Month Clubs› November 2011 Moms
November 2011 Moms
New Discussion

I am so sad: NW doesn't accept our insurance for a water birth

atomicbabyatomicbaby
in November 2011 Moms

I am literally crying right now, because Northwestern Hospital doesn't accept our insurance ( Blue Cross HMO) and now my only choice for a water birth is to have LO at home. I would be fine with this, but the two hospitals that are 10 minutes or less away are AWFUL. Plus DH would not be OK with this, he has already told me "water birth is one thing, a home birth is another."

 I'm so sad.

BabyFruit Ticker
IAmPregnant Ticker Will you be a Luella or a Kevin?
Read my pregnancy blog!
http://thankgoodnessforpickles.blogspot.com/
http://planning.thebump.com/baby-names/my-name-lists/24611
Report Reply to Post

Re: I am so sad: NW doesn't accept our insurance for a water birth

  • jenni888jenni888 member
    imageatomicbaby:

    I am literally crying right now, because Northwestern Hospital doesn't accept our insurance ( Blue Cross HMO) and now my only choice for a water birth is to have LO at home. I would be fine with this, but the two hospitals that are 10 minutes or less away are AWFUL. Plus DH would not be OK with this, he has already told me "water birth is one thing, a home birth is another."

     I'm so sad.

    Are you dead set on a) Northwestern or b) a hospital within 10 minutes away? Just curious.

    image
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • KBBHKBBH
    That is upsetting.  I am not planning a water birth anymore, but if it's what you want, I would be bummed.  Insurance companies are so irritating.  I mean, I'm glad I have insurance vs. NOT having it, but they are so particular in what they cover and what they don't.  It's irritating.  At this point, I would just decide what is more meaningful and important to you and do whatever you see fit.  Good luck!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Anniversary
    Report Reply
  • rachaelskirachaelski

    That's too bad. Is a birthing center an option?


    image
    Report Reply
  • Mrs.GreekoMrs.Greeko

    If it is any comfort while you are in labor the idea of laboring/delivering in water might not appeal to you at all.  And it is possible to have a natural childbirth in a hospital without having a water birth.  My first was a natural childbirth in a hospital (no water birth).  My second was a water birth, which was great, however a few months later my friend delivered a baby at the same birth center and she thought she wanted a water birth (whereas I was pretty sure I didn't) and when she actually got there she decided the thought of getting in the water was pretty awful so she didn't.

     I would look for a birth center if I were you.  And if you are serious about a possible home birth I'd start doing your research and talking very seriously to your DH about it.  And since you have two hospitals 10 minutes away it seems like a home birth might be a very good option for you.

    Mama to Lucy (7/06), Lexi (5/09), and Max (11/11) M/C 12/17/10
    Report Reply
  • CheriCOCheriCO

    I second what Mrs.Greeko said - that you might not even want a water birth when the time comes.  With DS, I put a deposit on a birth tub & spent time laboring in the regular tub but got so hot I couldn't handle it anymore.  I delivered him on the bed.  This time around, the birth center has tubs set up in every room, so it will be an option for me, but I'm expecting things to go like last time and I'll labor there, but probably won't deliver in the water.  We'll see.

    What are your other options besides the two close hospitals?  Are there birth centers nearby?  FWIW, my insurance doesn't cover the birth center I'm going to, but we decided to pay out of pocket to avoid the hospital and get the experience/care we want.  The total cost will end up being pretty similar anyway since we have a high deductible plan and I'm spanning two plan years.  The total cost at the birth center will be around $4000.  That said, with how intervention happy most hospitals are, I'd hesitate to pay out of pocket at a hospital and risk having IVs, drugs, overnight stay, whatever added to the bill.

    The other thing to consider is while those two hospitals are awful, chances are if you have a homebirth, you won't end up at the hospital and if you do, it's because there were complications and you need interventions.  I don't know what you mean by awful, though (I'm assuming not natural birth friendly).

    image
    Report Reply
  • atomicbabyatomicbaby

    Are you dead set on a) Northwestern or b) a hospital within 10 minutes away? Just curious.

    Northwestern is an hour away during rush hour. It's about them being the only hospital in the city offering water births. i am going to try West Suburban in Oak Park, but that is also a bit of a haul and without a car I will be extremely dependent on DH for getting me to/from appointments.

    BabyFruit Ticker
    IAmPregnant Ticker Will you be a Luella or a Kevin?
    Read my pregnancy blog!
    http://thankgoodnessforpickles.blogspot.com/
    http://planning.thebump.com/baby-names/my-name-lists/24611
    Report Reply
  • atomicbabyatomicbaby
    imageCheriCO:

    I second what Mrs.Greeko said - that you might not even want a water birth when the time comes.  With DS, I put a deposit on a birth tub & spent time laboring in the regular tub but got so hot I couldn't handle it anymore.  I delivered him on the bed.  This time around, the birth center has tubs set up in every room, so it will be an option for me, but I'm expecting things to go like last time and I'll labor there, but probably won't deliver in the water.  We'll see.

    What are your other options besides the two close hospitals?  Are there birth centers nearby?  FWIW, my insurance doesn't cover the birth center I'm going to, but we decided to pay out of pocket to avoid the hospital and get the experience/care we want.  The total cost will end up being pretty similar anyway since we have a high deductible plan and I'm spanning two plan years.  The total cost at the birth center will be around $4000.  That said, with how intervention happy most hospitals are, I'd hesitate to pay out of pocket at a hospital and risk having IVs, drugs, overnight stay, whatever added to the bill.

    The other thing to consider is while those two hospitals are awful, chances are if you have a homebirth, you won't end up at the hospital and if you do, it's because there were complications and you need interventions.  I don't know what you mean by awful, though (I'm assuming not natural birth friendly).

     

    The two nearby hospitals have horrible fatality rates and when I cut my fingers while doing dishes I had to wait 9 hours before being seen. I lost feeling and movement in that finger completely and it was all because of the wait. I only needed 5 stitches, but they are too short staffed. I would never trust them delivering my baby.

    For some reason Chicago lacks water birth centers, lots of places will come to your house, but since DH isn't comfortable with that, it is a no go.

    Fingers crosed this suburban hospital works out, but I think the pregnancy hormones got the best of me earlier. I'm sure LO and I will be fine even if we have an alternative birthing center experience without a water birth, but since water is the only thing that soothes our pains right now, I was hopeful for one when I go to deliver. 

     

     

     

    BabyFruit Ticker
    IAmPregnant Ticker Will you be a Luella or a Kevin?
    Read my pregnancy blog!
    http://thankgoodnessforpickles.blogspot.com/
    http://planning.thebump.com/baby-names/my-name-lists/24611
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"