Switching OBs at 31 weeks?

Native+Girl · June 2013

Am I crazy?

I spoke to my OB relatively early on about my desire for a med-free birth and she seemed very on board and encouraging. To my own fault, I didn't lay out exactly what I was hoping for (freedom to move around and not be strapped to the bed, monitors, and an IV). When I brought these things up this week, as well as how long after EDD until she induces (40w4d?!!), she suggested, politely, that the birth center in the neighboring state might be a good fit for me.

Since then, I've gotten recs from one of the two doulas in town and a friend of a friend who went natural, and now I have a consult with another OB they recommended who is NB-friendly.

Did anyone else change care providers this late in the game? This would also mean I'm delivering at a different hospital a little further away and not the one where I've already attended the tour and other classes. Am I crazy for doing this??

Khaleesi07 · June 2013

I don't think it's crazy at all, as long as you are doing what's right for you. Whatever gives you the best chance possible to stick to your birth plan sounds ideal. I'm actually switching midwives at 29 weeks myself. I found out about a birth center on the hospital campus a few weeks ago, but the practice where I see my midwife only does hospital births, and there's a separate practice that does the birth center births. I loved the midwifes at the practive I was going to, but they actually told me I should tour the birth center anyway, as they have much better tubs than the hospital, and I should really consider it based on my birth plan. Well, I went on the tour last week, and fell in love with the birth center! As sad as I am to leave the practice I was going to, I know that they wouldn't have recommended the birth center if they didn't have my best interest at heart. Do what you feel is right, you still have a decent amount of time to get adjusted to your new OB.

Brewsbabymama · June 2013

Personally I would switch. My first OB suggested I find a new one when I refused the early 7 week u/s. My second OB was running every kind of test on me (including an ekg) because she could not except my word that my BP was only high around her (she also had me coming in every 2 weeks).

My 3rd and hopefully final OB has been a much better fit. From my experience so far and info from my husbands former co-worker as well as online reviews he seems nice and hands off. He actually still has me on a 4 week schedule even though I am 32 weeks now. We have not had a detailed talk other than on the first visit he asked how I pictured my birth experience and I said super natural and he said that was fine with him. Hopefully I will be able to avoid the hospital until the last min anyway and lots of the details will not even be a factor.

If your OB is suggesting she is not a good fit...she most likely is not.

SarahinMD · June 2013

Personally, I'd switch and be comfortable I could have the experience I wanted. The last thing you need to worried about when in labor is what they're going to do to you that you don't want done. And you're best to change now rather than tough it out and decide to later--some practices won't take new patients in the final weeks. If the OB you want is still willing to take you, go for it! Just be careful when you have first appointment to be sure it's a good fit as far as you can tell--you don't want to be back in the same boat. Good luck!

EMLYNNLERETTE · June 2013

I don't think this is crazy. I am 30 weeks tomorrow and I am still choosing a midwife for our homebirth. We moved so I don't have a provider ATM. If you have clear expectations, go for it! It is your birth, you will live with your choice forever while for the OB your delivery is just another day of work. For the record, I think it is pretty bold of your OB to recommend a birth center per your requests. Maybe it is a regional thing, but many hospitals offer the things you were listing as expectations.

AmyRI · June 2013

I switched at 34 weeks. I don't regret that I moved, and had no issues.

I would thank your OB for being honest and make the switch. If she's suggesting you switch because you don't want to be stuck in bed with CFM and an IV, I can't imagine you'd be happy with her in the end.

Birdies08 · June 2013

I think one of the most important things in birth is having a care provider with a similar philosophy. Many hospitals have protocols that staff can get in trouble for not following, even if it isn't the patient's wishes (this is what I've been told by L&D nurses). So, if your OB is saying you would be more likely to get the birth you are envisioning at a birth center, I say go for it!!

ETA: Reading comprehension fail. I see that you would be seeing a different OB, not using the birth center, but I still stand by what I said Find the care provider that fits what you want for you birth.

Native+Girl · June 2013

I am VERY appreciative to my current OB for acknowledging that she's not comfortable with the couple key issues I want and recommending me elsewhere instead of giving me lip service and then completely going against that in crunch time.

My only hesitation with the birth center is I'm an eternal pessimist so I like the safety net of a hospital IF I can find a provider that will honor my requests. I guess I'm also worried that the center is in the next state so I'm not sure what, if any, ramifications come with that as far as insurance, birth documents, etc. It is right across the street from a hospital though so it wouldn't be like I'd have a 30 minute drive after finding out I needed a transfer.

I've also been told the hospital I was originally with is much more by the book and the hospital the potential new OB is associated with is much more NB friendly. That coupled with the doula recommendation and the reviews I've found on the new OB regarding NB, makes me much more comfortable with her than with my current OB. So I'm scheduling a consult to go over my birth plan and we'll see how it goes. If I don't get a good vibe, then we're going to the birth center. (Fun fact: the new OB caught the birth center's midwife's 3rd kid so that's gotta say something for her, right?)

Thanks for all the feedback!! I just wanted to make sure I wasn't delusional for wanting to go a completely different route with only 9ish weeks left.

robyn2201 · June 2013

Make the switch as soon as possible! I switched at 30 weeks and I was so glad that I did.

pdilly2b · June 2013

I switched at 32 wks from an OB to a hospital-based midwife. Hands down the best decision I made regarding my birth. I was in labor for 36 hrs, 14 of that at the hospital and I'm pretty sure my original OB would have slapped a "failure to progress" on me. My midwife never suggested even a little that there was something wrong with me and I had the wonderful birth I really wanted.

You should still be able to sign up for a tour at the new hospital.

Care provider is so important. I'd definitely go for it!

tokenhoser · June 2013

Crazy is staying with a doctor that openly does not support your birth plan.

Switch or look more seriously into the birth center. I'm sure they deal with people crossing the state line all the time - just ask them if it causes any billing or other issues.

Native+Girl · June 2013

I just called the other hospital to find out their policies. The woman said they are very pro-NB and love when they have NB moms. They do a hep lock, intermittent monitoring, they have whirlpool tubs, squat bars, and labor balls in all their suites, they do immediate skin-to-skin and do all newborn procedures in the room right there with you. (At this point, I'm almost in tears with excitement.)

I went from my OB saying "Girl, you're gonna give me a heart attack" when I asked about intermittent monitoring and a hep lock to it being completely acceptable practice at this hospital. I feel like a huge weight's been lifted off my shoulders already! I'm kicking myself for not checking with this hospital sooner.

tokenhoser · June 2013

That's great news! Choosing a birth location that you can work with instead of against will make your experience so much better.

Khaleesi07 · June 2013

Native+Girl:
I just called the other hospital to find out their policies. The woman said they are very pro-NB and love when they have NB moms. They do a hep lock, intermittent monitoring, they have whirlpool tubs, squat bars, and labor balls in all their suites, they do immediate skin-to-skin and do all newborn procedures in the room right there with you. (At this point, I'm almost in tears with excitement.)
I went from my OB saying "Girl, you're gonna give me a heart attack" when I asked about intermittent monitoring and a hep lock to it being completely acceptable practice at this hospital. I feel like a huge weight's been lifted off my shoulders already! I'm kicking myself for not checking with this hospital sooner.

Good for you!!! Sounds like you made the right decision for sure.

stahlop · June 2013

For my first LO I switched from an OB to my home birth midwife at around 30 weeks. I had a friend whose OB wanted to induce her at 39 weeks so she switched to a home birth midwife. It's never too late, especially because you'll be much calmer in the situation which is what you need to be during labor.

abell77 · June 2013

Not crazy at all. My friend switched at 35 wks.

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