Switched Drs and Hospitals (At 31 Weeks)

Toni79 · May 2012

Hi! I don't normally post on this board, but just had to get this off my chest! And share it with a group that (hopefully) understands where I am comming from.

My goal has always been a natural, drug free, no intervention childbirth. DH and I have been taking a Bradley class, as well as reading varrious natural childbirth books.

When we first met with my OB (many months ago), I admit I didn't know what questions to ask. We simply asked if they supported a natural, drug free, no intervention childbirth. My OB said yes, and I was happy. Also, at the time I did ask if she could recommend any Bradley instructors. She couldn't. I should have known then that wasn't a good sign.

Anyway, we took the birthing class at the hospital and learned about some of the hospital policies, etc. Then while taking the Bradley classes we learned alot and learned more specifically what questions we should be asking my OB.

Last month I went in with a list of questions for my OB. I wanted to know just how much she supported my decision. Needless to say I wasn't thrilled with all her answers. She basically said:

Although I'm not reqired to have an IV, I am required to have the Hep Lock (i.e. the port for the IV) just in case an IV is needed. Which I was fine with. However, then she said that she'd give me a bag of IV fluids once I got there "just to be safe". Even if I didn't need it. Humm?
She will not let me drink water (or any clear liquids) once admitted to the hospital. I'm only allowed ice chips. No exceptions. (So of course I'm going to get dehydrated and need IV fluids).
Although she said she will not pressure me to "speed up" labor, they do have timelines that they stick to (pretty stritly). I won't go into the details of the timelines, but basically they aren't going to pressure me until "my time is up", and then I'll be pressured for pitocin, etc.
There are no exceptions for pitocin after delivery. I can't waive it.
The list goes on, but I'll spare you all the details!

After that appointmetn, DH and I decided to look at other options, and then make a decision if we wanted to switch or not.

Our philosophy has been: DH and I have a plan, but if the baby has another plan, we need to go with baby's plan. However, I did not want my dr to have yet a third conflicting plan in the delivery room! (If that makes sence?)

Anyway . . .

We looked to see if there were any Midwife practices assocaited with that hospital. And there were not.

We looked at a stand alone birthing center with a midwife. Although we did like it, I think it was a little too "extreame" for us. We'd definitaly feel more comfortable in a hospital. Plus it was 1 hour 45 minutes from our house! Eek!

We found a midwife practice that is assocaited with another nearby hospital. (Actually referred to us by my Bradley instructor). We took a tour of the hospital - its a smaller hospital that only has 1 OB practice (3-4 OBs) and 1 midwife practice (2 MWs) assocaited with it. We met with the midwife yesterday for a consoltation. We immediatly felt she was a good fit for us. She spent a good amount of time with us, discussing her "birthing philosophy", and she is very "Bradley oriented". She actually delivered her 2 grandchildren at the hospital Dr. Bradley founded! Her goal is a birth with as few interventions as possible. As long as mom and baby are ok, she's not going to hold us to any "timelines", etc. I'll have to have the Hep Loc, but she's all for not giving me an IV and letting me drink as much as I want! She'll even let me waive the pitocin after delivery (as long as there are no complications and it is not needed). Basically I have options!

To referance my personal philosophy: I really felt like she had the same goal (and plan) as us. And I'm not worried that there will be a 3rd conflicting plan in the delivery room!

After the appointment, and a breif conversation with DH, we decided to switch! I filled out all the paper work to have them request my files from my OB and I made my next appointment.

I know I'm crazy to switch practisioners and hospitals when I'm 31 weeks pregnant!!! But I really think this was the best decision I could have made. I only wich I had made it sooner.

For the first time, I'm actually excited about the delivery. For a while I felt like I was really going to have to "fight" for what I wanted while I was in labor, which sounds like no fun!

Big Smile

annabelle.27 · May 2012

Yes

that whole "you can't drink fluids but you'll need an IV because you'll be dehydrated" thing pisses me off. I wasn't restricted from eating or drinking in either of my labours (one hospital birth, one home). It blows my mind that some care providers expect you to go through labour without something as basic as water to help you through.

Toni79 · May 2012

PS -Sorry my post was so long. But I really felt like I had to say WHY I switched, versus just being that crazy person who switched for no reason! LOL!

robyn2201 · May 2012

Good for you! Glad you were able to find a provider that was a better fit for you!

I am looking for a new OB and the one recommended to me by my doula doesn't do consult appointments. I was really bummed about that. I think we are going to go ahead and make the switch anyways because she did come recommended. And not just recommended from a friend but my doula who has had clients that used her.

mAnYaSha · May 2012

yickes, that's a bit harsh even for a hospital...

It's not crazy for you to switch. At 31 weeks you have plenty of time to connect with the new provider. Feeling at peace with those around you makes a huge difference.

PansyPants · May 2012

I'm so excited you found a place and a team that will work with your plan instead of mandating their own.

I did a similar thing and switched to a much smaller hospital, in the end it was wonderful. I felt like a person, the nurses all knew my name and the babies name, I knew all the nurses just in the couple of days we were there, they had the time to listen and help me instead of being so big and busy that I was just a list of issues or statistics. I loved the hospital I had my son it and if I do another hospital birth, I'll definitely go there.

stahlop · May 2012

I switched from OB to home birth midwife at 30 weeks, so you're not crazy. You have to do what is best for you. If you're not comfortable, that's what can stall labor.

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