I have to have a scheduled c-section because of some previous pelvic surgery that makes it unsafe for me to labor. I have been seeing the local docs and have been so-so about them but when I took a tour of the Sentara Williamsburg VA hospital, I cried for a couple of days. Their policies are absolutely draconian!!! (You can read more about my initial reaction on this thread.) I knew something needed to change and change soon.
Someone suggested I contact ICAN to see if they could help me find a place more baby-friendly and mother-centered. They sent me some info about VCU and suggested I find some of the docs who work with the midwives there. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to discover Dr. Christine Isaacs in Richmond!
I called Dr. Christine Isaacs office at the VCU Institute for Women's Health the same day I got the info from ICAN and was extremely disappointed to find out that her first available appointment wasn't until June. When I explained my situation, her staff spoke with her directly and she was willing to make accommodations to see me today! The appointment went fabulously - Dr. Isaacs is more than I could have ever dreamed or hoped for in an ObGyn doctor, at least in my circumstances.
Not only has she personally utilized a midwife for her home birth, she is also the Director of Midwifery Services @ the Medical College of Virginia at VCU and an Associate Professor. I found that she is a doctor who truly understands why a woman would choose a different model of care than is typically offered. More importantly, she is training other future ObGyns in that same standard of care as well!!!!
During the appointment, she stressed that my safety and the baby's safety are paramount but none of her practices compromise either of these things. She said she realizes her approach to a c-section isn't "mainstream" but this is what she said she can offer me depending on what I want:
Needless to say, by the time she got done explaining everything, I was in tears (she was too). In short, it is everything I could hope for in this situation. Finally a doctor who gets it - I mean, she really, really, really gets why these things are important to me as a mother and a human being. Dr. Isaacs said she is passionate about providing the kind of care that women are entitled to receive and there is no reason to do things the "other way" because many of those practices just don't make sense and in her words are "just plain wrong."
While I don't look forward to the one-hour each way drive for my appointments, it will be well worth it in the end. I know it isn't my dream home birth, but it's as close as I can get considering I have to have a c-section. I will let all of you know how it goes in May and if it turns out to be as "wonderful" as it sounds like it might be (taking into account it is major surgery and not my preferred method of having a baby!)
Someone suggested I contact ICAN to see if they could help me find a place more baby-friendly and mother-centered. They sent me some info about VCU and suggested I find some of the docs who work with the midwives there. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to discover Dr. Christine Isaacs in Richmond!
I called Dr. Christine Isaacs office at the VCU Institute for Women's Health the same day I got the info from ICAN and was extremely disappointed to find out that her first available appointment wasn't until June. When I explained my situation, her staff spoke with her directly and she was willing to make accommodations to see me today! The appointment went fabulously - Dr. Isaacs is more than I could have ever dreamed or hoped for in an ObGyn doctor, at least in my circumstances.
Not only has she personally utilized a midwife for her home birth, she is also the Director of Midwifery Services @ the Medical College of Virginia at VCU and an Associate Professor. I found that she is a doctor who truly understands why a woman would choose a different model of care than is typically offered. More importantly, she is training other future ObGyns in that same standard of care as well!!!!
During the appointment, she stressed that my safety and the baby's safety are paramount but none of her practices compromise either of these things. She said she realizes her approach to a c-section isn't "mainstream" but this is what she said she can offer me depending on what I want:
- OR lights are dimmed except for surgical field because "after all, I need to see what I am doing!"
- Whatever music I want to "welcome the baby into the world" can be played over OR sounds system
- One arm is initially strapped down for anesthesia purposes but is released prior to birth so both arms are free to receive baby
- As soon as baby is removed, the surgical drape will be lowered and she will be placed on my chest for immediate skin to skin contact
- All newborn evaluations are done on my chest
- As long as baby is doing well, she will remain there with me
- All of Dr. Issacs nurses are lactation specialists who can help me start nursing there on OR table if wanted
- After surgery is completed, we are moved to the room together for recovery - no intermediate recovery room or separation from baby. Recovery is done in final room.
- All subsequent pediatric evaluations are done in the room - baby never needs "to see the lights of the nursery" unless we ask for it or if she needs extra support of some kind.
Needless to say, by the time she got done explaining everything, I was in tears (she was too). In short, it is everything I could hope for in this situation. Finally a doctor who gets it - I mean, she really, really, really gets why these things are important to me as a mother and a human being. Dr. Isaacs said she is passionate about providing the kind of care that women are entitled to receive and there is no reason to do things the "other way" because many of those practices just don't make sense and in her words are "just plain wrong."
While I don't look forward to the one-hour each way drive for my appointments, it will be well worth it in the end. I know it isn't my dream home birth, but it's as close as I can get considering I have to have a c-section. I will let all of you know how it goes in May and if it turns out to be as "wonderful" as it sounds like it might be (taking into account it is major surgery and not my preferred method of having a baby!)
That sounds amazing!! The best to you and your baby!
Way to go!
