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1st Trimester
Kay6519
member
Natural Birth vs. Epidural
Kay6519
member
My OBGYN isn't very supportive of any concept of natural birth. I would prefer this method, but I don't understand why she is trying to make me go with the pain killers. I almost would rather try a more supportive OB if she isn't willing to go with my wishes. Any thoughts?
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Re: Natural Birth vs. Epidural
The more they can charge your insurance company the better. I'm determined to go Natural and I haven't met the OB yet. Hopefully he/she is not a pain med pusher or i'm gonna have to do some looking for another Dr. Same thing with formula. Formula is part of the pharmaceutical industry so lots of Drs push it. I'll cut a nurse if she tries to give my kid formula. Fingers crossed I produce milk
This is ridiculous. Doctors don't have any incentive to have your insurance company pay for additional drugs. The only time your doctor makes money is by charging for procedures and exams. As a matter of fact, insurance companies usually try to talk them out of prescribing meds, tests, and procedures and doctors end up having to fight for them.
I have never seen a doctor (or any other health practitioner) push formula, and they are getting zero incentive to "push" it. The reps usually drop tons of samples off at their office, and I'm sure they're happy to pass them along to people that want them. If babies are getting dehydrated or facing NICU time for jaundice, or not having enough diapers, they might suggest supplementing, but there is no financial incentive in it for them.
OP: If you don't feel your doctor is supportive of your wishes, look for one you feel more comfortable with. That said, I would do a lot of research on the hospital. You spend most of your time laboring with the nurses and the OBs just come in to "catch" the baby unless you're having problems. A supportive nurse (or a doula) will be much more likely to help you achieve a medication-free birth.
All of this. Either tell your doc that this is what you want and if she doesnt understand find someone new. It drives me nuts when people think that just because a doc like doing something one way that thats the end of the line. Either you do it or they'll make you do it.
Switch OB's if you feel this one isn't on board with what you'd like.
Keep in mind all Birth plans are just outlines of what you might have to go through. Be flexible and try not to get your heart set on any one idea of how your birth might go. You might need some sort of intervention.
I had a med free (I prefer this term to natural. The implication using "natural" is that somehow any other birth experience is "unnatural".) birth with my first baby. I am hoping to do the same this time around. However, sometimes things don't go the way that you want.
Flexibility will be your best friend.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
Just wanted to come back to add .02! Many hospitals have initiatives to make sure they aren't leaving patients in pain. It's a very common complaint in the ER that patients were languishing in pain without being offered any assistance. To this end, most hospitals have protocols in place for nurses to ask patients at regular intervals how their pain is, to check whether they want or need any more pain medication, etc. If your nurse or doctor comes in to ask, they're not necessarily trying to pressure you, they're probably trying to make sure they can do everything they can to help keep you comfortable.
If you don't want to be asked about pain meds repeatedly, just let your nurses know from the start and that you'll let them know if you change your mind. There is also a window in which you can get an epidural or some meds, or sometimes they know the anesthesiologist is going into an hour long c-section and won't be available, and they just want to make sure you don't miss your chance to get pain relief.
There are bad apples everywhere, but most doctors and nurses don't go through years of school and training to push pharmaceutical company agendas down patients' throats...most are there because they care and want to help.
I went without an epi, and will go without again this time. It was painful but it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'm not worried about doing it again.
You can make whatever decison works best for you. For me, there was no way I would have gone unmedicated. I had not desire whatsoever and LOVED my epidural. Next time I'll get an epi as well
This is simply what works for me.
I agree and disagree.
I agree that the implication that a Dr push pain meds so they can bill your insurance is nuts. They don't get paid for the epi...the hospital does.
However, I will say, two of the three pedis I visited handed out a big bag of formula samples, coupons, etc. They weren't pushing it necessarily, but they certainly weren't pushing breastfeeding either. I went with the pedi who told me "we'd like you to breastfeed, but if you decide formula feeding is the right decision for your family, then we will support you in that as well."
However, at the hospital, the lactation consultant gave my son formula. The LACTATION CONSULTANT. He wasn't losing weight, his blood sugar was fine. My nurse even said there is no reason to be concerned and there is no reason that he needs to have formula when I'm trying to nurse. I nearly went postal and ripped the bottle out of her hands. She told me that "my breasts weren't the right shape to nurse" and "it's not for everyone." Finding a new LC, I went on to exclusively BF my son for 16 months.
I worked at a cardiologists office for years. Different specialty but same concept. I know the DR themselves may not make the money off of epidurals but the hospital does and when a hospital needs money don't you think they talk to the staff on ways to get the money? Everyone likes to think hospitals are there just to help people but it is also a business. Given if you said no epidural they have to listen to you but most woman, especially first time young mothers, don't find their voice.
Also from what I know from nurses who work in the maternity ward (my sister works at NYU medical center and gets the dirt) they will be the first ones to slip your kid a bottle out of convenience. You have to be very vocal on your wishes.