Moms, I have a question

[baconlettucetomato]

I have appointments with two approved OBs. I love, love, love, the first practice. They're friendly, convenient, the NP and OBs are on the same page as me as far as little intervention throughout pregnancy and labor. But, she only delivers at one hospital. Said hospital is across town which isn't a huge deal but it's also a very conservative religious hospital.

OB two is nice but has twice as many doctors(I know I'll see all of them throughout), not as e-friendly(I can e-mail OB 1) but delivers at two hospitals. They deliver at the newer community hospital that actually encourages birth plans and seems to be minimal interventionists.

So, should I go with the OB that I love or the hospital? I need to dedicate to one of the other for insurance purposes and those are my choices. I'm leaning toward the OB I love because I feel she can advocate for me in the hospital if needed.

Help.

[meltoine]

Stat does it being a consertive religious hospital have to do with anything? Are they just less natural birth friendly, because those are two separate issues.

Its a tough call. My first instinct is to go with the hospital you like better. If you're a typical first time m, you'll be in labor for sbout20 hours, give or take. Evenif you're in the hospital for ll that time (which you don't need to be) you will spend about 2 hours with your OB. He/she will come in every 4 hours or so to check on you for five minutes, and the hang out at the end of the pushing stage. The nurses are really far more important in terms of natural birth. If your nurse tells your doctor that you're not progressing fast enough or that you're having trouble dealing with the pain, your doctor will come in and order meds. If your nurse is more supportive and offers to help you find other ways to relax and tells your doctor that you're handling things beautifully, your doctor will leave you alone.

On the other hand, seeing an OB who doesn't support your wishes throughout your pregnancy could wreak havoc on your confidence and out you in a state of mind that isn't conducive to the birth you actually want.

If your H can be a great advocate for your wishes and really informed and 100% on board with what you want, and if he's not the kind of guy who gets all flustered when you're in pain, then go with the doctor you like and have your H deal with the potentially unsupportive nurses. Alternatively, hire a doula if you don't think your H is up to the task.

[softspot]

I would go with the doc I love but my view could be clouded because of all the issues I had. My MFM was a great advocate for me & I needed that many times.

[baconlettucetomato]

Mel - It's just very old school I think. No birthing suites, strap you to a bed and monitor you with an epidural until it is time to push. I voiced those concerns with my doctor and she is totally on board with no interventions if I don't need them.

Also, I'm not sure H will be able to voice my opinions which is why I think I'm leaning more toward the OB I love.

[meltoine]

Dig a little deepere into your OB before you decide. What percentage of her patients delivere without an epi? What's her c-section rates for first time moms? Under what circumstances would she prescribe pitocin?

My OB was totally on board with my NB plans too, until i actually showed up at the hospital.

[meltoine]

OMG with the typos. I'm so sorry. Typing on an iPad SUCKS.

[baconlettucetomato]

Haha. No big Mel, I know you better than that. I figured you had N in your lap or something. Thanks for the tips. My only issues so far with OB 1 is that she's in her own practice so how the heck does that work if I go into labor? Is she *always* on call?

[meltoine]

Some are. Solo practitioners can be great if they budget their time well and don't take on too many patients. Ask her about who covers for her if she goes on vacation or gets sick. Most solo practitioners have a reciprocal agreement with another solo or someone in another practice. But generally, they tend to schedule their vacations around their patients and it's only an issue if she gets sick.

My only concern with a solo practitioner would be if she accepts to many patients with due dates close together and two of you are in labor at once.

[baconlettucetomato]

I'll have to ask her at my next appointment. I really kind of like the idea of having a practice with just her though so I can get to know her. Plus her NP is awesome.

[meltoine]

That's what I like about solo practitioners. You really get to know them and they get to know you. They also tend to spend more time with their patients at office visits, from my experience.

[kcd0531]

I had a solo practitioner; it was nice seeing only one dr. throughout my pregnancy and knowing who would deliver me at the very end. If OB1 is 100% on board with your birth plan; that is who I would stick with. She would know what is or isn't "permissible" at the hospital that she delivers at and, I would hope, would not deliver false promises knowing any possible "conflicts" (for lack of a better word coming to mind at this moment.) Being comfortable with whomever will follow your birth plan is so important.

[bettydraper]

Holy shit, I missed the announcement too! Congrats lady! I'm so thrilled for you!

[iluvmytxrgr]

I would go with the hospital I liked, especially if they are less likely to try to push you to meds. I delivered at a hospital that claims to be more natural, but they all thought I was crazy for not getting an epidural. With Brody, he started to have issues, so my MW put me on pitocin. The nurse called the anesthesiology with out even asking me. They were both shocked and told me I was doing myself a disservice no just getting the epidural and relaxing. I was having no issues with the pain. I had other nurses coming in to check out the mom on pitocin doing it with out pain meds. It was annoying.

[JakJak]

I would go with the dr you liked, especially if it's a one doctor practice. With DS I was in a practice with 4 or 5 doctors and saw a different one each time. They never really "knew" me, and I honestly felt like just another patient. But with this one I'm at a single doctor practice and I love, love it! The staff knows who I am, they know my concerns and how I want things.

With DS I delivered at a hospital that had a bad reputation in general, but they did a great job. The only thing I would check out if I were you would be the NICUs, are they the same level at all hospitals? Is one better than the other? Because that would ultimately sway my decision, I was completely healthy and complication free with my pregnancy but my son was born with complications that no one foresaw so a good NICU was key. Good luck!