Update to Natural Hospital BirthThread

[laceymr]

I hate my OB doctor!
My bp was high again today. Not scary high, just higher than average (150/80). I am having no other signs of pre-eclampsia. Well, no protein in my urine but don't know about bloodwork because the OB didn't bother to order labs. NST was perfect.
He wants to induce me tomorrow.
Actually, let me word this how he did... He does not support my birth plan because I am high risk. He wants to give me Cervadil, then AROM, then Pitocin and he wants me to labor on my back and then if (when) I don't deliver by tomorrow evening, he wants to give me c-section.
This is my worst nightmare! This attitude is the reason I was avoiding doctors in the first place!

I don't know what to do.

I called my old MW and asked for recommendations for a new OB but I really don't want to switch when I 38 weeks. I trust that this OB wants me to have a healthy baby but we are just not seeing eye-to-eye on what is best (he pointed this out, too, btw).
I am not going in for an induction tomorrow. I bought a bp monitor for home and I will be continuing my bedrest through the weekend. I am just praying that I go into labor naturally this weekend. And that my bp stays low enough for me to labor at home for a long, long time.
I am considering doing the at-home induction again that my MW had me do last weekend.... IDK. I just don't want to get put on this guy's stopwatch which is a slippery slope to a c-section.
I don't feel like he wants what is best for me... I feel like he wants what is most convenient for him (and he's a skilled surgeon with plans to go out of town this weekend).
WWYD?

[rachel65655]

I wouldn't worry too much about the blood pressure. The diastolic number is what really matters the most and it is normal. If it got over 100, I would be more concerned. And without having any other symptoms of pre-e, you could just be getting worked up when you see this OB and it causes you to have an elevated blood pressure. Monitor it at home and see how it goes. Always take it after you have been resting for 15 minutes or so.

[xixstar]

I like your plan, I'd also not do the induction and simply stay home and at peace with your decision. I'd just plan to labor as much at home as possible when it does kick in and only go in when you need to. I feel a great response to a doctor that's being pushy or that you don't really agree with is to basically just ignore them and go about your way.

[MsBlack]

As far as I can tell, you still have no med reason to induce, for yourself or baby.

Cutting to the chase with all due respect: are *you* in charge of these decisions (you and dh), receiving information and advice from an educated helper like this OB but not letting him take away your power to choose....or is the OB in charge of these decisions?

It sounds to me like you are in a place of opposition with the OB...that there is an arguement going on, a power struggle. And I just want to say, gently and with respect and a wish to inspire you--there need be no struggle. Really! If you want to be the one deciding, then simply do not enter into struggle with the OB. Keep your peace, seek information from all available sources, do your best with your dh to make safe choices for this birth.

Or--let this OB be in charge. Many families do this every day and many are even well-satisfied with their births/outcomes.

From your posts it sounds like you *want* to be in charge--that is one reason you are struggling against the OB's imposition of authority over you. If you didn't want the responsibility of decision making, I assume, you would have been induced/sectioned by now under his direction and authority. Since you are indeed struggling against him, it looks to me like you do want to make informed, self-responsible decisions...to have some choice and some control, which to me and many here is a perfectly healthy, reasonable set of wishes!

So I just want to say to you, firmly and without equivocation: if you want to be self-responsible, if you want to make your own informed decisions toward best safety for yourself and baby, then DO THAT. Part of doing that means to quit giving this OB your energy and attention. You have heard his preferences and you disagree. Many people here also disagree with his assessment, and are supporting you in making healthy, evidence based decisions. You need not stress or fight over what he wants, not at all.

And it's pretty clear that Mr OB is not using evidence to support his wishes for your birth--he is leaning into CYA-mentality and his own convenience and he probably knows little about normal birth and it's variations. "Normal" is not so much what OBs are taught!

Whatever you do, you have to be at peace with it if you want your b/p to stabilize and to otherwise reduce stress and be able to look forward to birthing joyfully. I'm not telling you what to do; only YOU what is best. But I *am* telling you what I see: a woman who is understandably shocked and dismayed over a sudden change of plans and providers; and with that, a woman who has not yet decided 'who is in charge here'. And I *am* telling you that if you want to reclaim your power and some control/choice in your birth, then just DO IT.

Last thing: you have said you really don't want to change providers at this point--change *again*, since your mws just dumped you into this OB's lap after all. I submit to you that you have to decide what is most important--life is often like that! If it's most important to stay with this OB, if you fear a change of providers more than you fear loss of control--then I suggest you stick with him and just give up control to him....because sister, you are never ever ever going to make him into a different Dr than what he is. Certainly not going to change him in the next couple days. He has said what he wants for you--take or leave it.

On the other hand, if having control/choice toward safe, evidence-based birth is the most important thing--well, I hate to be the one to burst your bubble but I think you are going to HAVE TO change providers. Right now.

best and all blessings on you and your family. This is such big important stuff, especially with a first baby. I will send a prayer for your clarity and peace, whatever you decide!

[msmiranda]

Originally Posted by MsBlack

As far as I can tell, you still have no med reason to induce, for yourself or baby.

Cutting to the chase with all due respect: are *you* in charge of these decisions (you and dh), receiving information and advice from an educated helper like this OB but not letting him take away your power to choose....or is the OB in charge of these decisions?

It sounds to me like you are in a place of opposition with the OB...that there is an arguement going on, a power struggle. And I just want to say, gently and with respect and a wish to inspire you--there need be no struggle. Really! If you want to be the one deciding, then simply do not enter into struggle with the OB. Keep your peace, seek information from all available sources, do your best with your dh to make safe choices for this birth.

Or--let this OB be in charge. Many families do this every day and many are even well-satisfied with their births/outcomes.

From your posts it sounds like you *want* to be in charge--that is one reason you are struggling against the OB's imposition of authority over you. If you didn't want the responsibility of decision making, I assume, you would have been induced/sectioned by now under his direction and authority. Since you are indeed struggling against him, it looks to me like you do want to make informed, self-responsible decisions...to have some choice and some control, which to me and many here is a perfectly healthy, reasonable set of wishes!

So I just want to say to you, firmly and without equivocation: if you want to be self-responsible, if you want to make your own informed decisions toward best safety for yourself and baby, then DO THAT. Part of doing that means to quit giving this OB your energy and attention. You have heard his preferences and you disagree. Many people here also disagree with his assessment, and are supporting you in making healthy, evidence based decisions. You need not stress or fight over what he wants, not at all.

And it's pretty clear that Mr OB is not using evidence to support his wishes for your birth--he is leaning into CYA-mentality and his own convenience and he probably knows little about normal birth and it's variations. "Normal" is not so much what OBs are taught!

Whatever you do, you have to be at peace with it if you want your b/p to stabilize and to otherwise reduce stress and be able to look forward to birthing joyfully. I'm not telling you what to do; only YOU what is best. But I *am* telling you what I see: a woman who is understandably shocked and dismayed over a sudden change of plans and providers; and with that, a woman who has not yet decided 'who is in charge here'. And I *am* telling you that if you want to reclaim your power and some control/choice in your birth, then just DO IT.

Last thing: you have said you really don't want to change providers at this point--change *again*, since your mws just dumped you into this OB's lap after all. I submit to you that you have to decide what is most important--life is often like that! If it's most important to stay with this OB, if you fear a change of providers more than you fear loss of control--then I suggest you stick with him and just give up control to him....because sister, you are never ever ever going to make him into a different Dr than what he is. Certainly not going to change him in the next couple days. He has said what he wants for you--take or leave it.

On the other hand, if having control/choice toward safe, evidence-based birth is the most important thing--well, I hate to be the one to burst your bubble but I think you are going to HAVE TO change providers. Right now.

best and all blessings on you and your family. This is such big important stuff, especially with a first baby. I will send a prayer for your clarity and peace, whatever you decide!

Amen to all of this. The OB has been very honest with you about what he will do to you if you allow it. That BP reading in a doctor's office is not at all unusual for me and is not alarming. Absent signs of pre-e or higher numbers, there is no reason to induce at this time. You might try some natural methods to try to help get labor started, and I think in your situation I would go to the hospital and take whoever is on call rather than this guy, who has all but told you that you will be having a c-section. And, everyone says this but it bears repeating, labor at home as long as possible. Once you get to the hospital, be prepared to withhold consent and stand your ground.

[Kidzaplenty]

I was just wondering how you were doing. I hope you are feeling ok and your bp is better.

[pants]

yeah I hope all is well! Wondering how your doing too.

[LisaSedai]

That's what led to my C-Sec. I was 40 weeks (but I O late so I kinda doubt that now) and had NO s/s labor- no braxton hicks,no lightening, no mucus plug loss and was only like 1 or 2 cm. My B/P was slightly elevated (also, no protien in urine) and she played the dead baby card on me so I went in for an unsuccessful induction. 24 hours of Pit. The hilarious thing about it was when I got to the hospital, my BP was not even elevated.


I hope everything is going well for you and the baby.

[Emmeline II]

He wants to induce you ASAP on those numbers alone?

When I had pre-e my urine was the color of iced tea, my bp at check in was 106/100, and my feet were so swollen I could barely get my size too big sneakers on (my first babe--my second was pre-e free).

I think I would rest and eat lots of protein (even shakes) and an overall super diet.

[ACsMom]

Originally Posted by rachel65655

I wouldn't worry too much about the blood pressure. The diastolic number is what really matters the most and it is normal. If it got over 100, I would be more concerned. And without having any other symptoms of pre-e, you could just be getting worked up when you see this OB and it causes you to have an elevated blood pressure. Monitor it at home and see how it goes. Always take it after you have been resting for 15 minutes or so.

Your bp is not technically in the pre-eclampsia range. I agree with others - there is no reason to induce right now, other than physician distress. Stay home, relax, take calcium and magnesium, eat lots of protein...you're right to be wary of this doctor. He doesn't have his facts straight. Btw, at 38 weeks it may seem impossible to change caretakers, but it's totally not. And lots of women have done it. I know someone personally who changed caretakers right before she went into labor. Everything went perfectly!

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by ACsMom

I know someone personally who changed caretakers right before she went into labor. Everything went perfectly!

My mw said it's not too late until you see the baby's head .

I switched at about 37/38 weeks with my first (military hospital); for some reason, when I mentioned I did not want the baby taken to be weighed for an hour or so, the PA dropped me like a hot potato, and I was picked up by a CNM.