Would you be OBs first birth at new hospital?

[RoadBuddy]

I'm expecting baby #2 in March. I had a good hospital birth with DS1 - natural, no interventions, overall a good experience. I had a doula and a good OB who is supportive of birthing choices. Overall a good set-up This time, I have the same OB and a different doula. The only thing that has changed is that the OB recently added another hospital to the options. It's a fairly new hospital, maybe a year or two old? The OB just added it to her privileges and so far hasn't had a birth there. It doesn't seem like she has one there scheduled before mine, at least not a vaginal birth (something she said made me think she may be doing a scheduled c-section there soon)

I've heard good things about this hospital from doulas and other natural birth advocates. It's really nice, quiet, and closer to my house. Basically, the only drawback is that I'd possibly (probably) be my OBs first birth there. Can you think of a reason why this matters?

[Belle]

I can't really see why it would matter. The Hospital has a rep for being natural-friendly and you already know your OB. It sounds like a good set-up. Also, she'll probably get an opportunity to be on-call at some point before your baby is born, so its not likely that you'll be her first vaginal birth there.

[MegBoz]

If it really is truly NCB-friendly, I wouldn't worry. I'd be MUCH more worried about policies:
1. do they routinely AROM
2. Do they have time limits (must dilate 1cm per hour, can only push for 2 hours max before CS, etc.
3. Do they require cEFM
4. Do they require IV fluids, or even just an IV "port" ("hep-lock")
5. Do they have tubs and, if so, can you water birth, also do they have a million restrictions on tub use (can you labor in the tub with ROM, for example.)

I'd focus more on that stuff.

Of course, even if they have some bad/anti-evidence policies, we all know your OB can override that stuff, but THAT to me is a bad situation because it means you WILL be arguing with the nurses & putting them on edge with stuff they consider dangerous (such as no IV port! ) So, again, I think the hospital policy/ practice would matter most in this case.

[Cheryl33]

you have already heard good things so that is nice. I don't think I would worry, but I would check on their policies a bit more, and go for a tour.

[thefreckledmama]

I would put more thought into the hospitals policies and procedures and how they would effect my birth plans, than how many other births my doc had attended there. That being said, my initial thought was that it would be nice to be one of the first patients of a doctor to give birth there, as the nursing staff would probably be on their "best behavior", wanting to make a good impression on the doctor on behalf of the hospital and themselves. How that translates into care for an individual could vary, but if your doc is totally on board with your birthing plan, I would think they might be less likely to deviate from what the doctor has already ok'd in any way.

[cchrissyy]

Originally Posted by Cheryl33

you have already heard good things so that is nice. I don't think I would worry, but I would check on their policies a bit more, and go for a tour.

Yeah - visit and make sure you like the place, and if you do, I can't see a reason to worry about the 1st birth issue.