natural birth at northside ??

shacadu · June 2011

Hello everyone,

I wanted to write in to see if any of you experienced a natural unmedicated birth at Northside. The group I'm interested in delivers there, and from the reading I've been doing it looks like it can be very difficult to have a natural birth there because the staff pushes interventions. I feel like a lot of that is hearsay, mostly people copying what they see on other boards. They do have a very high c-section rate though I know there are a lot of factors that go into that. I do know North Fulton Regional does support natural birth but that's pretty far from me, and Northside is an idea location. I'd love to hear about your experience, good or bad! Thank you

dbryson · June 2011

I didn't but have several friends who did. You just put it in your birthing plan. No problems.

C-sections are higher there because Northside is the BOMB and if anything goes wrong or if you are high risk or have any type of complications that is where they want you with their team of experts not to mention Children's is yards away if needed.

I had both my boys at Northside. 2nd time was a c-section but I also had 24-hours of labor and 2 1/2 hours of pushing before we decided to do a c-section. Good thing since he was almost 10 lbs.

tracigator · June 2011

I gave birth twice at Northside although I had an epidural both times. They do not push anything on you that you don't want. They let me decide when I wanted the epidural and how long I wanted to wait. Didn't push the epidural on me at all. Like pp said, make sure it's part of your birth plan and let your OB know what you want. Northside is a wonderful hospital and I had a very good experience both times. Best of luck.

Mrs. Theobald · June 2011

I delivered at Kennestone with an epi so I am really not one to ask this. But just wanted to share my opinion that your wishes for an unmediated birth should be shared with your OBGYN/Midwife and like Danielle said be stated in a birthing plan. It is more important to select a practice that supports your plan vs the hospital. They are the ones, not the hospital, that will determine what interventions you get. Remember you have rights which include declining interventions when it doesn't harm the mom or baby.

andrea922 · June 2011

shacadu:
Hello everyone,
I wanted to write in to see if any of you experienced a natural unmedicated birth at Northside. The group I'm interested in delivers there, and from the reading I've been doing it looks like it can be very difficult to have a natural birth there because the staff pushes interventions. I feel like a lot of that is hearsay, mostly people copying what they see on other boards. They do have a very high c-section rate though I know there are a lot of factors that go into that. I do know North Fulton Regional does support natural birth but that's pretty far from me, and Northside is an idea location. I'd love to hear about your experience, good or bad! Thank you

I don't know where you are but I had an unmedicated water birth at Atlanta Medical Center, which is a very natural birth friendly hospital (especially if you go with Intown Midwifery)

mingaling2 · June 2011

I think most hospitals around here are considerate of your birth plan. Just make sure your practice/ doctor is on the same page and don't be afraid to speak up for yourself when the time comes. I had a natural birth at Piedmont and it was no problem.

virginia&alan · June 2011

I didn't deliver at Northside, but I did have a med-free VBAC with my 2nd DD. If you truly want to go med-free at the onset, I would suggest finding a midwife and/or doula. My midwife was part of a larger OB practice, so you don't necessarily have to sacrifice the regular OB aspect. I always felt that the epi led to my c-section the first time, but after my labor with DD#2, I now know that DD#1 was in a bad position and just got stuck. Maybe there was something I could have done to move her in a better position, but who knows? I was in labor for 23 hours with DD#1 and saw the OB only a handful of times. For DD#2, my midwife was with me the entire time. Granted, my labor was a bit shorter, but she talked me through every.single.contraction. That kind of attention, you just won't find with a regular OB (usually). If you have an awesome DH/SO, then the periodic visits from the OB might cover you and help you go med-free. However, classes can only prepare you so much and you just can't predict what kind of labor you're going to have, and of course, how you'll respond. For me, having someone with experience guide me through the process made all the difference. Best of luck!

dleigh2020 · June 2011

I agree with the pp. It is not really about the hospital as much as it is the OBGYN/midwife you choose. I did have an epi at Northside but it was only because I requested one after 12 hours of labor. Not one ever pushed anything on me. The practice I go to is/was very supportive of my decision to have or not have an epi. I hope you get your unmedicated natural birth experience you are looking for.

Daisy22 · June 2011

I had both my sons at Northside but with an epi and ended up c-section with the first and a planned c/s with the 2nd. Not one nurse or OB pushed anything on me. The nurse mentioned when she first came in that if or whenever I wanted an epi to just tell her. That was the last of it until after 6 hours when I asked for it. My c/s was more of a discussion with my doctor when I brought it up b/c even with my water breaking at home and being 1cm for weeks I couldn't get past 1cm. DS wouldn't engage and nothing was happening so after 9 hours I just wanted him out. The problem for me was DS was 9lbs 12oz and my pelvic area couldn't fit him through. With DS2 there was no question about it I was having a c/s.

I agree with the others that you need to find a good fit with your OB and practice then with the hospital. Also don't forget that if its a practice you need to be comfortable with all the OBs since you do not know who will be on call the day you go in to have the baby.

decaturbride · June 2011

I delivered there and had a great experience. I, personally, wanted an epi but the nurses and my OB took their ques from me and never suggested/pushed anything. I was a little concerned about them being the "baby factory" and maybe being rushed during labor or recovery because they would need the bed. This was not the case at all. We had an awesome group of nurses, doctors, and lactation cunsultants that took wonderful care of all of us.

One of my best friends delivered there a few months before us and she had a med free delivery. She knew that is what she wanted and everyone supported that decision. I think it mostly depends on you doing your research and having a good idea of what you are getting into, picking the right OB or midwife that you have communicated with thoroughly beforehand, and your DH/SO being in full agreement also.

shacadu · June 2011

Thank you all so much for your info and advice, it is greatly appreciated!

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natural birth at northside ??

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