Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Traditional Doctor

The ongoing saga in the doctor hunt comes to an end.

It appears that most doctors around here are pretty hesitant to reject or accept a patient 32... make that 33 weeks along; so they just don't return calls when potential patients call inquiring after the status of their application to become a patient.

Most of our reluctant options seem to herd us toward Holy Cross, the biggest baby factory in the area. They deliver a whole heap of babies, and they are very efficient and have a great track record. Healthy babies, healthy mommies, low complications, and complications are dealt with quickly, appropriately, and professionally. A good hospital. The thing that I didn't like was a feeling I get of their efficiency. Whispers of pushing the pitosin, of hurrying things along right quick so we can clear the delivery room for the next patient. Makes me feel a little like I'm going to Jiffy-babe.

So I looked a little closer at the midwife idea. I got far better reception. When talking with one receptionist, I was explaining my history: that I had so far only worked with traditional OB/GYN doctors and then paused. "A midwife is more traditional than a doctor, though, right?"

I find myself able to choose rather than be chosen. I like that.

I have chosen a practice run by 4 midwives. I still get to choose whether I will deliver at the hospital or at the birthing center. Either of these options allows me a private room, rather than shared. (Holy Cross only has shared rooms. Yuck.) With a midwife, I don't have to set a pitosin guard. I get to labor on my terms.

All in all, I'm looking forward to doing this my way.

I was not disappointed in Lizzy's delivery; though it didn't follow my master plan. I learned a lot, and I got a beautiful baby through a beautiful delivery. I wouldn't change that experience; but the things I learned contribute to a modified strategy for the next.

I think I want to opt for the birthing center rather than the hospital, limiting my access to the all-relieving epidural. I do remember how very much I wanted that epidural. I remember. I was at the end - and it's a little spooky limiting that; but empowering, too.

4 comments:

Shelly said...

I think you'll like the midwife and birthing center environment. I did that with Emma and was very comfortable. The only reason I didn't do it with Abby is because the birthing center closed. I as a bit sad about that.

Good luck with all of that. I can't believe you only have a few weeks left!

Alisha M said...

I'm sure you'll like that experience better. After experiencing the hospital's way of doing things, although rather important in my case, I understand the desire to want to control things.

Happy Birthday friend!

Unknown said...

66% of my babies were delivered by midwives! I'm glad you've chosen a place that will allow you to have an opinion! Pray about what you want and stick to your guns! Happy pushing!

Jeri Dawn said...

Have you read HypnoBirthing? I did my last baby au-natural due to some very scary epidurals with my first two. It was so awesome! I stayed home until I was ready to pop and then ran to the hospital and had a baby 20 minutes later...My only concern of not being in a hospital is that the babies they get that are home-birthed and in need of serious medical help have lost so much time getting to the hospital. So, I'll probably make another appearance--but on my time, and schedule, not theirs.