What to expect if delivery is by going through the ER and having a c-section? - Page 2

[marrymeflyfree]

Originally Posted by Noelle C.

So I guess the long questions short is:

What should I expect if delivery ends up being via c-section in an ER I've never been to?

I was unfortunately just in this position about 2 weeks ago. Homebirth became a transfer became a c-section.

We didn't go through the ER at all...and typically, ER's really don't want to see pregnant women past a certain point in gestation unless it is emergent and there's little other choice. Our arrival was not emergent in my case. I'd been pushing for several hours; baby was in a funky position (not breech, but may as well have been), and just would not descend no matter what we tried. We drove in, I walked up to the admit desk just outside the ER, and just told them that we were transferring in from a planned homebirth, and I needed to go to L&D. I'd never been in their OB dept before, but they did have my info in the system as I'd been there for an ultrasound. Less than a minute later, she had my admission forms in hand and wheeled me up, and the OB nurses finished whatever admissions BS there was to do later. Of course one never knows what the reception will be like, but our experience wasn't horrible. The doctor and most of the nurses were quite respectful of our decisions for the most part, and everything turned out as well as can be expected, all things considered.

I have no idea at all as to what the deal will be with my insurance since we've yet to get a bill or anything. Crossing my fingers that it won't be problematic.

Good luck to you - here's hoping you won't have a similar experience. :-)

[onelilguysmommy]

Originally Posted by Crystal_R

My OB told me if i had a problem and went to the hospital before I called her to not go to the ER. She said just go straight to L&D and the L&D nurses told me the same thing.

When I had a hospital birth, this is what I was told, too. Don't go to the ER, go to L&D.

[onelilguysmommy]

Originally Posted by Noelle C.

Our midwife is going to try a version next Wednesday.

The insurance commissioner has been notified. We aren't the only people who've filed complaints and grievances about this insurance company. They've been sued many times and have yet to win a lawsuit. They keep losing.

We met with one doctor who currently can't take patients who are transverse or breech because, well he technically can, but the problem is he won't force a woman into a c-section, and one more breech birth and his hospital privileges are gone. The hospitals here are so adamantly against breech vaginals that he's been told one more and he's out. He's already under review and might lose his privileges as it is. He hates having to compromise his morals to keep his privileges (I think I said license in another thread - I mean privileges), so, for the time being, is having to be careful.

I've had no luck finding a doctor who will take me on as an actual patient with my medical history and how I'm already "term" as far as bicornuate moms go. No, this doesn't mean it's good to go cut a baby out, just that it's not usual for moms with my uterine condition (nevermine the intestinal stuff) to go so long. A cousin of mine has the same bicornuate condition and her c-section is scheduled already for her 32nd week. Monday willl be another day of searching.

Okay, so let's say they would send me right to L&D. Then what? When someone has a medical history, and the baby isn't head-down (if she was head-down, we'd deliver at home, no question about it), it's c-section. When the doctor hasn't met the patient and labor's already started and policy is a c-section, what happens then?

Wow. I hope it goes well for you.

[lovinmy3boys]

I would just call 911 I wouldn't even go to the ER. You get taken right away and dont have to wait when your brought in by ambulance. =D

[Sk8ermaiden]

A lot of insurances don't cover ambulances, and that is a hefty bill to get hit with, especially when you're now paying for a hospital (c-section) birth (my uncomplicated one was $21,000) on top of your midwife.

For instance, we have very good insurance, and it would cover 80% of the ambulance cost, AFTER a $1000 transport-specific deductible.

[Jane]

In my area, you get the same treatment if you're brought in by ambulance or if you come by car, typically, even in emergencies. They have a lot of stuff to do to someone in their care - vital stats, assessment, good things, IMO, but as a midwife, I've already assessed the situation and I can just go. If you don't need emergency care during the transport, a car is faster, cheaper, and easier. Disclaimer - my experiences, my area.

My suggestion is that you find the university or regional/transfer medical center. They take everyone, usually with a minimum of fuss. Oftentimes there is a prenatal clinic you can attend to seek their opinion. I'm sure that your issues, however major, will not be new to them. Other options might be to find a maternal-fetal-medicine group that will take you at term. I'm sorry things are so up in the air for you.

[JessicaS]

A Dr cannot force you to have a c-section. You can always refuse. Of course, I would adamantly advise against that in a transverse situation. (obviously) Very few babies are transverse when labor begins, there is a good chance your baby will not be.

I would tour the hospital and get an idea of procedures there. I wouldn't want my birth to be my first visit to a particular hospital. Some hospitals are better than others, some have more baby friendly policies. It will really help with some of the anxiety and stress to familiarize yourself with the surroundings a little.

With my last birth I was planning a homebirth initially but then had a planned c-section due to complications. I do empathize with your situation. It can be a real struggle to surrender to circumstances.

Let us know how the version goes.