I'm moving to the area soon, and I'm trying to decide where to go for a natural birth, with possible option for a water birth (or at least access to a tub).
I've heard St. Joseph's has a low c-section rate, as does HCMC's midwife-led unit. I think they both offer water births, although I'm not sure how many they can accommodate at a time. Does anyone have experience with either of these? UMinn Medical center is probably closest to me, and also seems to have birth pools, so I'd be interested to hear of anyone's experiences with them, too.
Any other suggestions for places to look if I want to avoid the whole epidural thing, and use hypnobirthing without the staff thinking I'm a nut case?
I think my insurance *might* cover the Minnesota Birth Center, which is across from Abbott Northwestern...not sure if I want to be outside a hospital, but maybe I should give them a look, too? I'd love to hear opinions from anyone who has had a natural birth and enjoyed their experience. Thanks in advance.
Re: natural-birth-friendly hospitals
Blog: Baby Mama's Drama
I delivered both my babies at St. Joes and I would highly recommend it. I can't say much about the water birth but I think they have one tub available. Definitely tour the places you are considering because their tubs will probably be on a first come first served basis.
I had both babies med-free and the nurses were great with encouraging me to stick with it. Especially with my first because I was in labor with her for longer. Anytime I asked for the epi, they would suggest different positions for me to get into or had me lay in the tub in the room. They were great! I also don't use a midwife, just a doctor but she is great as well. She will only induce at 10 days overdue and is really anti c-section unless absolutely necessary. She acts more like a midwife than the midwife I saw at the very beginning of my first pregnancy.
If it matters, the rooms are really small. My sister delivered at St. John's and her room was three times as big as the rooms I was in at St. Joe's.
For hospitals, Hudson Hospital with Dr. Hartung, Woodwinds with the midwives, HCMC with the midwives, and Methodist with the midwives.
For birth centers, Morningstar or Health Foundations.
Minnesota Birth Center seems to so far have a higher c-section and transfer rate than the other birth centers.
Homebirth is a fabulous option as well! Some insurances cover it and if they don't, many times its more affordable than deductibles.
I just wanted to thank everyone for the replies, I really appreciate it! Does anyone know what the c-section rates are for Methodist? I couldn't find it anywhere. Was able to find most of the others mentioned.
Sounds like there are a lot of good options, now I just have to figure out what my insurance (Tricare) covers. Just based on a web search, I am pretty sure at least some of the midwives at Abbot, Regions and United are covered (and maybe Methodist?)...found one or two at St Joe's, but their clinics would be a haul for me. But I'll have to call, because it seems fishy to me that no covered CNMs are listed for some of the major hospitals. Maybe I'm just not using the Tricare provider search feature correctly (I hope!).
Here are the most current c-section rates by hospital https://www.cesareanrates.com/storage/state_pdfs/Minnesota_Cesarean_Rates_Report.pdf
Here are the most current rates by OB/Midwife Practice https://www.docstoc.com/docs/146149790/Csections
You don't have to pay for the second one. You can view it at the bottom of the page.
Here is a better link for the rates by clinic! Page 193 is when it starts
https://mncm.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2012_Final_HealthCareQualityReport_2.18.13.pdf
No problem! Glad I could help!
I loved both Susan Tigue (pronounced tie) and Jody Ford. LOVED them. Susan was out of Woodbury and Jody out of WBL. Jody pretty much saved my life
Just a side note because of having a background with the HypnoBirthing (hence, the SN hints at my prior to kids profession)... Mind you, I went in with an open mind when I had DS, but in discussing it with my nurse at Regions in L&D they were actually excited about the women who do use more natural methods and are incredibly Pro med-free births! I had it as an option and remember just naturally using it and the nurse telling someone to just leave me be for a moment because I was using it. Granted, I was there with an open mind and loved my epidurals to no end, but until the point that I was ready to just kick back and relax during my inductions, but also during a particularly nasty/painful complication that landed me there over Labor Day weekend that year, it was wonderful and the nurses/OB's/MW's were super supportive!
No matter where you end up, you need to remember that just because a hospital has a higher cs rate, does NOT mean much of anything at this point. The decision to deliver based on the facts at the time of the delivery are what is most important for making sure Mom & Baby are healthy! High risk or not, complications happen, and at the end of the day the most important part of the delivery is a healthy baby and Mom. And yes, I know of women who used hypnosis for a cs instead of a spinal block/epi. You can still use it! One of the most important factors in successfully using hypnobirthing or hypnobabies or hypnosis for childbirth in general is being able to go with the flow regardless of what happens during the delivery. As my developmental psych professor in college once put it "Only if the baby comes out your mouth is it not considered a natural delivery!".. Deliver where YOU personally feel the most comfortable with the OB/MW team that is going to most be in your corner and be honest with you through the process!
This part is KEY on SO many levels in L&D! Whether you're zoned out in a state of hypnosis or zoned out in a state of medicated bliss - you still need to be you and your baby's best advocate!!!
My two boys are getting a surprise May 2015!
Anyway, my real question is: did you use one of the free doulas? I can't remember.
Yep, we're going to drive the extra ten to Woodwinds. Ultimately, your "I'd have another baby for a shot at those tubs" comment won me over!