Advice about moving from Hospital/OB to Birth Center? Long!

LadyMacaron · February 2014

At the beginning of my pregnancy I was hell bent on delivering at a birth center. Not only did I want that labor experience, but I loved the idea of midwives being my caregivers, and that the birth center provides you with a community of moms and free classes/yoga. But then I got an SCH and my fertility doctor sort of scared me into moving to a traditional OB and plan for a hospital birth.

Long story short, my husband and I have been extremely unhappy with our experience thus far. As much as we like our doctor, we already feel that we are starting to get nudged into a birth experience we don't want. Talks about inductions, etc...We are now at the point where we need to tour the hospital and register with them and now my husband really wants us to switch to the birth center. My SCH has been gone for months and the pregnancy seems healthy, so I'm not scared anymore.

I promise this is going somewhere...Lol. We have scheduled a tour with the birth center this week, and they have already reviewed our case and have decided we are low risk. BUT now my OB wants to schedule a scan for baby's heart (apparently this is typical for IVF babies), and check something she's worried about with my placenta and cervix. She has scheduled 2 more appointments for us in 2 weeks. So, my question is this, do I keep all these appointments if I decide to make the switch? Will a birth center order the same tests? Do I really need these at all? I don't want to pay for 2 different doctors, and would like to "break up" with our OB before going any further, but I don't thing the birth center will do an ultrasound until week 32 because they have my A/S records.Am I being crazy switching this late in the game?

What would you do? Thanks for any advice!

Mztwilson · February 2014

Yikes! Have your medical records transferred to the birth center. I'm sure your midwife will take care of you and let you know if those tests are needed. I'd think anyways. Good luck!

nunzchucks · February 2014

Can you discuss your concerns with the birth center?

flerlgirl · February 2014

LilNunz1 said:

Can you discuss your concerns with the birth center?

This - I think it's important to make sure whatever concerns are there can be handled by the birth center. I would also talk to your OB a little more - if you don't understand why you are being tested for something, you need to find out.

ncbelle · February 2014

I think you should definitely switch providers if you are unhappy with your current care. I agree the midwives would follow up on anything that needs following up on.

I think I'd ask your current provider why one ultrasound can't address both concerns (although that's assuming an ultrasound is being ordered to check whatever the placenta concern is).

MrsP419 · February 2014

I also think you should switch if you are unhappy. If you are already getting the feeling that the current practice will not support your birth plans, then they probably won't. I had an unsupported birth my first time around, and it was very hard on DH and I. I moved to a birth center practice (midwives that delivered at a hospital as well) for DS, and was MUCH happier. I would still be there if I was not high risk.

With my birth center practice, though ultrasounds are not super frequent, they never hesitated to schedule one if there was any concern. If you records are forwarded and you express your concerns, I would think they would be glad to write you a script for an u/s. Good luck!

tbmadeamistake · February 2014

Bearing in mind the hassles of moving/insurance/transferring records...up until your feet are in stirrups as you push a tiny human out of hoo-hah, you have the right to switch doctors and birth centers. No one can force you into a test you don't want, no one can force an induction on you, no one can take away your right to refuse medical care (up until the point where you're refusing endangers the baby, yada yada yada) if you don't believe that medical care is necessary and have another care giver to support you.

If you want to switch, go ahead and switch.

LadyMacaron · February 2014

Thank you all so much! I def. think moving is the best choice, and hopefully this placenta issue isn't going to cause a problem. After our tour I will def. discuss our worries with the midwife about our scheduled ultrasounds/scans.

@MrsP419 that actually helps. I don't know how everything works there yet, so you eased my worries a little.

@lizardbreath14 I feel exactly like that. Burning bridges is not something I look forward to, and I am so bad with any kind of confrontation with medical professionals. Good luck! I hope your meeting goes well.

allrightmeow · February 2014

Ask your doc all the questions you need too. I feel that in order to have your best birth you need to be somewhere you are comfortable and it sounds like you were happier with the mid-wives. Talk to the birth center and see what they say. I don't think it's crazy to switch at all no matter how late.

LadyMacaron · February 2014

joules235 said:

If you are unhappy with your provider then I would switch. I would assume the reasons for the ultrasounds are in your files so the midwife will be able to review the records and reasons. A midwife can order the same tests. Just out of curiosity are you seeing a CNM or a CPM?

It is extremely important that a care providers method of care fits the kind of birth experience you want

You know, I'm not sure. They have a staff of 6 midwives at my location, CNMs and CPMs, and they rotate care. So, while I may see one particular one more often, I may get to know the other one's as well. Should I ask for one over the other?

ElTrain5 · February 2014

ncbelle said:
I think you should definitely switch providers if you are unhappy with your current care. I agree the midwives would follow up on anything that needs following up on.

I think I'd ask your current provider why one ultrasound can't address both concerns (although that's assuming an ultrasound is being ordered to check whatever the placenta concern is).

This. Also, you are absolutely not crazy for switching. Plenty of people switch this far (and farther) along. It's totally normal. I don't know much about the reasons for the scans you're scheduled for, so id inquire if they are really needed and why. If there's a reason you need them, by all means get them. But you can always make and appointment with the midwife first and ask her opinion on them as well. If she thinks they're needed and you want to switch she can always order them. I think you're smart to be following your gut. Good luck!

ElTrain5 · February 2014

Also, don't worry about "breaking up" with your doctor. You don't owe them anything. People switch practices all the time, they shouldn't take it personally. I would just ask the midwife practice to call then and ask for your records. They'll get the message. If you have to talk to someone, just keep it short and simple "Thank you for your care up to this point, but my husband and I decided that switching to a midwife and birth center was the best choice for our family."

kjohnson1002 · February 2014

Before we found out about our babies heart defect we were doing a birth center with midwives. The birth center was attached to a hospital which did make me feel better in case there were any problems. How far is the birth center from a hospital? I loved that I switched to my midwife and very sad I wont be able to use them.

LadyMacaron · February 2014

kjohnson1002 said:

Before we found out about our babies heart defect we were doing a birth center with midwives. The birth center was attached to a hospital which did make me feel better in case there were any problems. How far is the birth center from a hospital? I loved that I switched to my midwife and very sad I wont be able to use them.

The hospital is only about 5-10 minutes away, and this birth center has rights there, so if anything went wrong the midwife would come and stay with me. I am so paranoid that I will have to be transferred, that's def. one of my concerns.

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Advice about moving from Hospital/OB to Birth Center? Long!

Re: Advice about moving from Hospital/OB to Birth Center? Long!

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

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