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unnecessary concerns? (and frustrations!)

treehugginbridetreehugginbride member
in Natural Birth
I live in a small town where my delivery options are limited. There is the really crummy "band-aid station" of a hospital in my town that's 5-8 minutes from my home, but I wouldn't go there even in an accident- much less to give birth.

There IS a birthing center that's a little more than an hour drive from my house- this is the only place even remotely close to me with midwives. I was really interested in touring there since I first found out that we're expecting because I want a natural birth. To register for the tour the site says to email soandsoladyperson, and so I did. Nothing. So I waited a few weeks, and emailed her again. Nothing. So I called the birthing center and the apathetic-sounding woman who answered suggested that the easiest way to register was to email soandsoladyperson. So I hung up and emailed her again. I got an automated "away until march 5th" message. BAH. So, at this time I feel that I have given up on the birthing center because they are obviously to indifferent to care or to busy to bother with me.

 So I have been going to the OB that is (thankfully) stationed in my town, 15 mins away, but is connected to a hospital that is an hour away, but is the better of the two located in that city. All the nurses at my OB have been super nice- the head nurse always makes me laugh, the ultrasound tech was super patient with my tilted uterus and all the first-time-grandma's requests, and after just a few visits the front desk nurses know me by name. I've only seen one dr (though there are about 10 who could possibly deliver my baby- depends who is on duty or on call) but he has been great- eager to answer my questions, really delves into how I'm feeling and concerns I have. So far I have learned that the practice c-section rate is between 15-20%, the hospital encourages skin-to-skin and as of recently has pretty much done away with the nursery (so I get baby the whole time YAY!),  I will be allowed to walk and move around as I please during labor, soak in a tub until actually giving birth (no birthing tubs) and give birth in any position that feels comfortable (he went on to tell me about a lady who decided on giving birth on her hands and knees facing away from him.. He said it took a few minutes for him to adjust, but he delivered baby no problem).

So it SEEMS that the hospital I've chosen is pretty supportive of natural births, but for some reason I can't help but be skeptical.. I'm terrified I'll be pushed into a c-section, or pushed into be induced.. And I'm still mad as hell that the birthing center wont give me the time of day. I guess all of this is in part because of all the stories I find about natural births in hospitals seem to be about fighting the drs will or being traumatized by being pushed into something against the mothers wishes.

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Re: unnecessary concerns? (and frustrations!)

  • aylafsu88aylafsu88 member
    I had a hospital birth with a large OB practice (8 OBs total).  I had a wonderful birth and the OB who was on call was amazing (I had never meet this OB before delivery).  You can have a natural birth in the hospital!  The big thing is to find a supportive practice/OB as they call the shots during L&D.  It sounds like your OB is very supportive of a natural birth and that the practice as a whole tries to avoid unnecessary C/S.  I would talk to your OB about inductions and when they would suggest that you get one.  My practice said that they would not discuss them with me until I was 41 weeks or it was medically necessary. By asking them specific questions about inductions it may help ease your mind.  As for the birth center I would not choose that either.  It sounds like they are to busy to even give you a courtesy reply.  I would not trust them when it came time for you to deliver. GL!
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  • nosoup4unosoup4u member

    Would you want to hire a doula? That might help you feel better about giving birth with an OB. 15-20% is a good rate, is that for first-time moms?

    If you've contacted the birth center that many times without a decent response, I would stick with what you know. Both the MW practices I went to were really large (15+ MW), but I still ended up knowing who was on call for at least my first birth. I would probably go to the other OBs for visits, just so you know faces/names? But that's also another reason for thinking of getting a doula. hth!

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  • Sarra21Sarra21
    Look at it this way: actions speak louder than words...or, in this case, louder than preconceived notions. If the birth center is treating you with such indifference and disorganization NOW, I think that says a lot about their services and would not trust them just bc they are a birth ctr. Definitly look into a doula for support, and maybe a tour of the LD unit will help allay your fears. It sounds like you have a great provider who is supports and routinely practices NB, which is whats most important at this point.
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  • tokenhosertokenhoser member

    I'd stick with the OB/hospital and also hire a doula if you can.

    I loved my doula last time and have my first meeting with her on Saturday for this pregnancy. I have a good doctor and an okay hospital, but I want the support that I get from a doula. 

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  • hollandmamahollandmama member
    I think with a supportive OB you should be fine in that hospital. They seem to care personally about you and if he is flexible and NB friendly then go for it.
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  • principessa81principessa81

    imagesandraynic:
    I think with a supportive OB you should be fine in that hospital. They seem to care personally about you and if he is flexible and NB friendly then go for it.

    ITA. It sounds like you have a NB friendly OB who is very supportive, as well as a supportive hospital environment with a low c-section rate. (All of the hospitals in my area have a c-section rate of almost 40%, so I'm very jealous of the 15% rate at your hospital!). Big Smile I think you will be just fine there. I wouldn't go with a birth center that has midwives that can't be bothered to answer a damn email. As a pp said, that tells you a lot about their level of organization and how much they care. 

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  • happywife2bhappywife2b member

    It sounds as if you have a winning combo at your fingertips. Lucky you! It also sounds as if your fears are hormone-driven more than anything. "Hospital" is not a bad word, and "birthing-center" is not a mystical one! I checked out a birthing center here in Miami only to find out it had been investigated by the FBI and shut down. So if you have a great team working with you then you are a lucky mama and your LO is a lucky new baby!

    And most of those movies/books about the impossibility to achieve natural birth in a hospital are written to be scary/propagandist. Don't buy the hype. Trust the evidence before you. 

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  • treehugginbridetreehugginbride member
    imageprincipessa81:

    imagesandraynic:
    I think with a supportive OB you should be fine in that hospital. They seem to care personally about you and if he is flexible and NB friendly then go for it.

    ITA. It sounds like you have a NB friendly OB who is very supportive, as well as a supportive hospital environment with a low c-section rate. (All of the hospitals in my area have a c-section rate of almost 40%, so I'm very jealous of the 15% rate at your hospital!). Big Smile I think you will be just fine there. I wouldn't go with a birth center that has midwives that can't be bothered to answer a damn email. As a pp said, that tells you a lot about their level of organization and how much they care. 



    oh wow thats so high! (even the band-aid station has a rate of 30% but they only deliver about 300 babies a year.) I'm feeling very fortunate!

    I just want to say thank you all so much! All these things are just super scary when you don't know what you are doing in the least.. I will definitely look into finding a doula- I have a strong feeling that DF will be freaking out as bad as me when it comes time. :) Lol.

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  • danuli8danuli8 member
    I agree with the PPs--if your OB is NB friendly and the practice cares about you and has established a good rapport with you, and the hospital only has a 15% c/s rate (which is excellent, my hospital's is nearly 32%!), I'd stick with NB at the hospital. I think The Business of Being Born and other similar films and books have really pushed hospitals become more responsive to what pregnant women actually want. And yes, definitely hire a doula. That will be a huge help as well.
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  • rm2013rm2013 member
    Agree with PPs. Hospital sounds great. Birthing center sounds sketchy.
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