Holidays & Natural Birth

Re: Holidays & Natural Birth

• virginiaham member

  August 30 edited August 30

  Is there a specific experience with your practice that you’ve heard about and are concerned about?  I wouldn’t just switch under the circumstance you are describing.  You have a very valid concern, as sometimes that does comes into play in the US system.  However, OB/GYN hospital call shifts are set and there is usually a dedicated medical team that stays in-house no matter what.  I would do two things.  I’d have a frank conversation at your next appointment — ask how your hospital is staffed, share your labor and delivery priorities and any fears about unnecessary interventions in the name of staff rushing/timing delivery for their convenience, and ask the questions you mentioned, to your current provider.  I would also find a local mom’s group on Facebook and ask about their experiences with your OB/GYN practice and delivery hospital — they won’t hold back.  Unless you are moving to a Midwife practice (esp with birth center or home birth, but at this late in the game it would be difficult to find one that had availability for your due date), you are correct that if you move to another practice you’ll likely just be delivering with whoever is on call from that practice.

  me . late 30's | h . early 40's | < 3 . 2013
  
  *siggy warning*
  
  

  ttc#1 . jul 2015
  mmc . mar 2016
  dx PCOS (non-IR) / subclinical hypothyroidism . summer 2016
  tx metformin, levothyroxine, LP progesterone, femara + trigger + ti . fall/winter 2016
  BFP .  jan 2017
  DD .  oct 2017
  
  ntnp #2 . summer 2018
  mmc x2 . sep 2018 & may 2019
  RE workup, dx MTHFR mutation, ultimately unexplained . summer 2019
  surprise BFP .  aug 2019
  DS .  may 2020
  
  dx Hashimoto's 2023
  ttc #3 . feb 2023
  mmc . apr 2023
  mmc x3 . mar/jul/aug 2024
  dx elevated nk cells
  tx ovasitol, levothyroxine, baby aspirin, LP progesterone, lovenox, prednisone, femara + ti . jan 2025
  BFP . mar 2025

  
  

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• thatbaintforbetty member

  August 31

  I’m going to preface this with I do not sugar coat…anything.

  
  

  Your whole post comes off kinda wrong. 

  
  

  First of all, please remember that you can desire a particular birth scenario but that absolutely means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Birth almost never goes how you want, for that point neither does parenting. You have no way of knowing what will happen and a degree of flexibility is key. 

  
  

  Second, you have the ability to ask questions and say no. To both the doc and a particular procedure/alternative/medication, that will have its own consequences and potentially limit options or increase risk. If you feel you are incapable of doing that while in labor I would suggest you pick someone you trust and have them be a part of your delivery game plan. I also suggest informing yourself more on the process, procedures and possible complications of labor/birth if you feel like you will be pressured with mis-information. This seems unlikely given multiple staff members are around and things like that have heavy consequences for them. 

  
  

  Third, you absolutely need to figure out where you are delivering and what their policies are.  @virginiaham is right on that point. I have never had my doctor deliver my babies. And I’ve had two different health systems/hospitals. Unless you are scheduling your delivery and know when your doctor will be on call you probably won’t have your doctor. Part of the reason I think this is the norm now is to minimize the exact scenario you feel is going to happen. The on call doc will be there for that holiday whether you deliver then or not. They are not going to be able to push your labor faster in order to get home or whatever you feel is likely. This might be different in super rural areas but again information is your friend. 
  

  
  

  Fourth, if you feel your current doctor is not respecting your wishes, find a new one… full stop. 

  
  

  Fifth, I don’t have a clue what you mean by “natural birth,” if you think a c-section is “un-natural”, you are part of the problem that is shaming and guilt. Emergencies happen and some people do not have the luxury of choosing parts of their labor plan. If you mean un-medicated, then thats different and there are many levels of pain management that you should educate your self on. Being against everything on principle is narrow minded, ignorant and truly only hurts you in the end. 

  
  

  I have been before and will be again induced for mine and baby’s safety. Please recognize your privilege and good fortune if thats not your reality. 

  this is my backup acct.
  prevously helloblueeyes
  
  Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 
   BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019

  

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• nopegoat member

  August 31

  Communicate with your provider and hospital about their policies, schedule, etc. Don't assume. Make sure to educate yourself on all possibilities, risks, and rights (not just the ones you hope for). 
  
  I've had 5 hospital births, several being inductions and I've had 2 homebirths and hoping for a 3rd, God willing, this go around. I haven't had a c-section yet, but trust my midwife and have made sure that I and my husband are knowledgeable enough on the birthing process to know that it may be necessary and I'll be confident in doing so if it ever is necessary. 
  

  Wife. Boy mom x6. Expecting #7. Wannabe homesteader.
  , 💙💙💙💙💙💙

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• bridgiebee82 member

  September 1

  TW TW TW: Stillbirth mentioned
  
  

  When I gave birth to my twin sons in 2022, I had to have an emergency c-section at 34 weeks because one of my babies had died. He was fine just 3 days prior. In order to save my other baby, I had to have a c-section immediately.

  
  Stuff happens that is completely out of our control. I go to a practice that has multiple doctors and I see a different doctor every time. This way, no matter who is on call, I am familiar with everyone in the practice. They all have delivery privileges at the same hospital I delivered at before. I was asked about scheduling another c-section and I asked about VBAC. I was told I could try for it, but there is still a chance that I could need another c-section. You can absolutely refuse certain things during pregnancy and labor, but there is always a chance that you or baby could need medical interventions in an emergency. 

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