Moving late in PG to Newton(ish), vbac, ped, etc...help

[riley1319]

Hello.

I'm new here. I found this forum while cruising the internet for information on the birthing community in MA. My DH is in the final stages of negotiating a job in Dedham. By the time all is said and done myself and my two children would be moving to the area from Charlotte when I'm around 35 weeks. DS #2 was a vbac in 2008 and I want to vbac again. I have a lot of needs that took a lot of time to flesh out after having lived in Charlotte for 8 years so the thought of having to put together my "team" in a couple of months time is stressing me out. Here's what I'm hoping you all can help me with...

1) Newton-Wellesley vs. Mt. Auburn - I've searched and read posts about both location and these seem to be my best bets for supportive staff regarding a vbac. Do both location have mobile telemetry? Or are they pains about refusing continuous monitoring? Will they let me labor in the tub? I also refuse certain newborn procedures - is one location better than the other when it comes to this?

2) I ended up needing to see a Webster trained Chiropractor before my vbac in 2008. Are there any recommendation in the Newton(ish) area should I need to go again?

3) I need a good Lactation Consultant. What options are available?

4) We selectively/delay vaccination with our children. Are there any peds in the area that are supportive (or at least not shunning) of families who make this decision?

5) Circumcision. Here we use a Pediatric Urologist for circs and can either have it done at the hospital pre-discharge or in the office at a later date. I don't like circumcision and don't want to do it, but DH insists. I've had trouble nursing both of my first two boys and want to delay circ until breastfeeding has been established (and I'm sort of hoping DH will drop it once we're home), that said - is a post discharge circumcision an option? Is there a "go to " Dr. in the area for this procedure?

If you've made it to this point thanks for reading. We're flying up Thurs. night and it will be my first time in MA.

[DaughterOfKali]

I think you'll like Newton...It's a great area!

Although I didn't give birth at Newton Wellesley, I know many women who have. Every single one of them had a positive experience for a natural childbirth. I don't know about the tub, though. They don't insist on continuous monitoring.

Chiropractors: I'll have to get back to you on that one.

There's a LLL nearby and they would be able to give you names of LC's.

My pediatrician is fine with no/delay/selective vaccination. I've also heard that pediatricians at Newton Wellesley is really good.

You can talk to the pediatrician you choose about circumcision. I refused completely but my original pediatrician offered to do it in his own office.

Feel free to pm me. Once you're here, I'd be happy to get together!
There are a handful of us (mdc members) in the area.

[onebrowncookie]

I am not sure about vbacs at Newton Wellesley l, but two of my friends delivered their first babies there last year, and had wonderful things to say about the care there.

One of them had a scheduled c section and they followed her birth plan requests in a very respectful manner.

Regarding LCs, aside from the lcs at the hospital where I delivered, I went to a practice called Lactation Care in Newton where I met with Dot Norcrosse. I had a very sore, very tough time breastfeeding and I felt the 90 minute consultation with her really really helped. I just wished I met with her earlier instead of when my baby was already five weeks.

[HappyHappyMommy]

Originally Posted by riley1319

1) Newton-Wellesley vs. Mt. Auburn - I've searched and read posts about both location and these seem to be my best bets for supportive staff regarding a vbac. Do both location have mobile telemetry? Or are they pains about refusing continuous monitoring? Will they let me labor in the tub? I also refuse certain newborn procedures - is one location better than the other when it comes to this?

I have not had a vbac, but my friend had a vbac at Mt. Auburn (with Beth Hardiman) and had a wonderful experience. My recommendation would be to look for a midwife or ob whose practices are in line with your wishes because my experience is that a lot about your experience depends on your care provider. I gave birth at Mt Auburn and had a great experience with labor and delivery and credit my ob (I also worked with Beth Hardiman), not specifically the hospital's practices.

Originally Posted by riley1319

3) I need a good Lactation Consultant. What options are available?

I recommend Terri Anthony. She's very good and will come to your home. I will send you her telephone number.

Originally Posted by riley1319

We're flying up Thurs. night and it will be my first time in MA.

Have a safe trip and welcome!

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali

I think you'll like Newton...It's a great area!

:-)

I'm also going to send you a PM with some more information.

[GoestoShow]

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Edited by GoestoShow - 1/4/11 at 9:13am

[riley1319]

Thanks for all the feedback and offers for pms. It is so helpful to have forums like this to look to for advice - even mixed feedback is better than no information at all.

[riley1319]

Originally Posted by GoestoShow

Well, odds are Hardiman at Mt. Auburn wouldn't take you on at this point anyway. She tends to fill up very early and doesn't tend to have many patients leave. And unfortunately, anything I could possibly say about her would be a UAV, so just let me say that since it will be a UAV to post, if you want the story of my experience with her, PM me and I won't hesitate to share exactly what I think of her.

I tried to pm you and I got a note that says you don't accept pms. Please let me know if I need to do something different.

Also, is Gail Levy in private practice or does her company have a name (want to google her)?

Thanks!

[MAMom]

Originally Posted by riley1319

Also, is Gail Levy in private practice or does her company have a name (want to google her)?

Thanks!

Gail Levy, RN, IBCLC 617-512-2332

She used to be with Jewish Family & Children's Services, but their funding was cut. The latest I've heard is that she is still doing limited LC, but definitely call her as she will have recommendations for others if she is not available.

You can also search ZipMilk for IBCLC's.

[GoestoShow]

.

Edited by GoestoShow - 1/4/11 at 9:13am

[HappyHappyMommy]

Originally Posted by HappyHappyMommy

I recommend Terri Anthony. She's very good and will come to your home. I will send you her telephone number.

Found it! Terri's number is 617.486.4005.

[lisab914]

Hi!

Welcome & best of luck with all your moving and arrangements!

I just had my 3rd baby in May and had a VBA2C at Newton Wellesley with the nurse midwives at Harvard Vanguard in Wellesley. I had 2 prior sections with a different OB at a different hospital before -- AND I switched from that doctor at about 30 weeks with this last pregnancy!! I had a 3rd section scheduled and everything. I had the most phenomenal experience at Newton Wellesley -- and I can not say enough wonderful things about the nurse midwives -- everything was exactly as I wanted. The staff at Newton Wellesly is wonderful, but I would suggest working with the midwives if you really want to guarantee low interventions in your labor & delivery. (I also had a fabulous doula as well.)

I also used a chiropractor -- after I made the big switch from my scheduled section to deciding to have the VBA2C, I found out my baby girl was breech!! There is another chiro. in Natick who is Webster technique certified and is just plain awesome: Dr. Victoria VanNederynen at Performance Health Ctr. in Natick. They work with alot of athletes, but she sees a number of moms and kids as well. My little one didn't turn on her own, but the work Dr. V. did really helped balance out the ligaments in my pelvis area. I *swear* it made a huge difference in labor. In the end, I had an external cephalic version (with my midwife & the OB at Newton Wellesley) to turn the baby. It was quite the journey to have that VBA2C!!

I think alot of pediatricians in the area are willing to work with parents who want alternative vaccination schedules. My kids are on an alternative schedule & my pedi didn't even bat an eye when I requested it with my 2.5 yr. old. They're all the way in Hopkinton, which may be a bit far for you.

If you want more specific info on any of this, just send me a message.

Best of luck to you and your family!!

Blessings~
Lisa

[Cheryl33]

I don't have any specific info to give you but I wanted to wish you well in your move. Newton is BEAUTIFUL and so close to Boston, you will have tons to do and lots of nice people to be around.

[nicolebeth]

I would definitely contact LLL. There are several local groups--Newton and Waltham, for instance. Gail Levy is great as well.

NWH does have hep-locks for VBACs. Be aware if you are GBS+. There was one nurse there who was very rude (and, actually, kind of offended) when it was difficult to be still to get seated, and she needed no movement in order to get an initial read (which they do insist upon) and to do the ABX. That was one person, though, close to five years ago.

NWH has also finally instituted a quiet time rule for visiting hours--NO ONE is permitted to call or visit between 2-4pm. That helps a bit.

Harvard Vanguard is really good. Women's Health Associates will not do VBA2C, but that isn't your situation. So, they could be an option for you as well (another midwifery group).

[riley1319]

Thank you all so much for your feedback and encouragement.

DH and I visited this past weekend and an agent drove us around Newton, Wellesley, Weston, Wayland, southern (?) Sudbury and a quick trip through Needham. Thank goodness I lived in Wilmington, DE and worked in the Philadelphia area for a few years b/c after 8+ years in NC I'd forgotten how different northern living is.

I think from what I've read Newton-Wellesley is the way to go and I'm going to look into WHA and HV for midwifery. Hopefully they will be open to taking me later (35+ weeks).

The waiting is so nerve wracking. MA living is so much more $$ than where we are now that I'm concerned this could all fall apart over relocation expenses.

[DaughterOfKali]

Weston is the most expensive town out of those. eek!

[riley1319]

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali

Weston is the most expensive town out of those. eek!

Our agent told us the same thing. My husband loved it, but oddly enough it was lower on the list for me. Weston is certainly beautiful, but I tend to prefer a little more density and more going on commercially. I told DH I wasn't against buying there later on if that's what we want, but I don't want to rent there when we first move up.