Anchorage OB's/Midwives: I will NOT be sliced again. Help? - Page 2

[roadfamily6now]

Good Luck!

[ericswifey27]

Dr. Elrod sounds promising (maybe you can barter by teaching childbirth classes for him lol)

One thing, in your conversation you said you were "trying" for a VBAC. I know from personal experience once I started saying I am having a VBAC it gave my a lot of self-confidence and it also let others know that I meant business, this was THE plan. ykwim?

Congrats on the promising lead!

[Samanthavv]

Thanks!

And yes, I know what the mentality is. I AM having a VBAC, but when i talk to anyone else they get uppity about it... But yeah. As far as my personal views and self-talk... I AM having a VBAC. :-)

[roadfamily6now]

I've been watching your You Tube Videos. I hope you get your beautiful birth.

[L&K'smommie]

I'm glad Dr Elrod sounds like he will work with you and be a great provider. Being from the Valley I've heard wonderful things about him from my MW and others I know. And don't worry about finding Mat Su Regional...you can't miss it driving from Anchorage to Wasilla...it's right by the highway
I can't wait to hear your wonderful birth story!

[1stimestar]

Didn't you have to take a CBE class for your doula certification? Ask him if that will suffice. I would tell him that you will take the one he recomends if he truely requires it but that you are a doula and already know the basics of what most CBE classes cover.

[Samanthavv]

Yeah, my only concern with the childbirth classes is I know they usually range $50-$100... I took a childbirth class with my son, and I'm literally just a couple assignments away from being certified as a childbirth educator myself. It'd be kind of redundant for me to take a class at this point, I would think. I have to pay for travel, meals, etc. AND gas to get to and from palmer, AND my hotel for close to my due date. So the less I have to fork out for anything, the better! I'm going to be saving up for that until it gets to be around that time. With my son, it was all VERY expensive... Last time we used credit cards because it was pretty unexpected... but this time, I'm hoping to have all the cash saved up beforehand so we don't get into the whole debt mess again.

But, that being said, I'm going to have an appointment on the 22nd. I'm getting my father-in-laws fax number so I can sign the release to get my records transferred and will call them monday to do that...

I have a doctor appointment with the doctor down here on the 14th, because just in case I decide not to go with Dr. Elrod, I do need someone keeping up with me until I do settle on a doc.

[roadfamily6now]

You do not have to do the childbirth class. My client has refused to do them.
Tell him no.

Are you sure you want a hospital birth?

[alaskaberry]

I just read this thread and I wanted to say, best of luck! I'm crossing my fingers for you! You will get your VBAC! Never underestimate the power of positive thinking! I've had 2 c-sections too, so I like to read about these things. I'm in Fairbanks, though. I hope that you forgo the childbirth class, as you already know your stuff! Good luck!!

[roadfamily6now]

I've been reading your thread on the CBI yahoo group! I think it is wonderful the amount of discussion you are generating!

[Mat-Su Doula]

Samantha,

I can certainly understand your frustration at the policy of required childbirth classes. However, I think it’s important to keep a few things in mind-

The required childbirth classes are not for all patients- they are required, specifically for mom’s desiring a VBAC. Though there are many reason’s why a Dr. might say a cesarean is indicated (whether real and truly medically indicated, exaggerated, or simply for their own selfish ambitions…), it’s important to keep in mind that most of these mom’s have yet to experience a “normal” labor process, even made it to the second stage of labor, or pushed a baby out through the birth canal. I believe that in the case of Dr. Elrod’s practice, the motivation behind such a rule is that many moms come to the practice saying that they desire a VBAC, but have yet to experience the normal process and may or may not have a true knowledge-base of the process. For example- knowing what you know now, do you think your outcome would have been the same? It seems that in many, many cases, most moms would answer “no.” Hindsight is 20/20 and with experience comes more knowledge, greater understanding, and empowerment.

Even as a Childbirth Educator, even as a doula- I still chose to attend classes and still chose to have a support person by my side. Why? Because I feel there is always information to be learned, always another perspective to gain knowledge from. And if anything, at the very least, reinforcement of what you already know, and encouragement. Further, there are certain bits of information to be aware of, pertaining to hospital policy, specifically at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. These things are also discussed at Dr. Elrod’s childbirth class.

Lastly (and goodness gracious, I apologize for the novel!), as a patient you have the right and the full-ability to refuse whatever you want. No test, procedure, or class can be forced upon you. It is your body, your baby, and your time. However, the same also holds true for your provider- they are not obligated to provide your prenatal care, and indeed, they have the right to refuse care (barring emergency circumstances, and in-labor…). I believe in Dr. Elrod’s practice, they have seen a better outcome for VBACing moms attending childbirth class. In addition, not only is there an increase in liability for the provider (ever so slight, but still real…), and due to current hospital policy, a VBAC requires much more from a provider. It’s because of this that the classes are required, no exception. Of course, due to this requirement, there is no fee.

Hope that helped!
Tara

[roadfamily6now]

most of us realize that procedures and tests, etc are all at our approval but what do you do when the Dr threatens you, intimidates you, or tells you they are not optional? (even if they do it subtly through body language, verbally or vocalizations)

No women likes to be in a position where they feel like they must comply even with simple things such as GTT testing or if they ask to be retested for something and the OB refuses.
Even from the "best" care providers we can feel like our wishes and desires are being ignored.

How do we help other women to deal with situations like this?

[akgirl1000]

I just joined this discussion but things seem intense! I do support VBAC's and I think it's an amazing option that not all women get the opportunity to experience. I've been thinking about becoming a doula and from what I understand, a VBAC is where you'd really see one shine. Would that be a true statement???

Samantha, I'm happy that it sounds like you'll get this experience. Have you chosen a Dr yet? It sounds like you may have a few choices. Good job on getting educated and exploring all your options and finding a way to make them work in your favor. Good luck on your delivery!

Tara, it seems that you have a lot of knowledge on both sides of the fence. How long have you been a doula? How long have you been teaching Childbirth Education? Have you had VBAC experience with Dr Elrod? Do you have knowledge into how he works with his VBAC patients? Do you ever attend their appointments? Have you ever had a patient have an experience like Tammy's pt? Sorry, I know it's a lot of questions.

Tammy, from your last post I would have to say that if someone was seeing a Dr that threatened them, they ought to leave! I do understand that there are certain things that a hospital will require and no matter how the Dr feels his hands may be tied. I'd have to evaluate my feelings and check to see if I'm asking for something outside the Dr's control (which would then seem unfair) or am I asking for something that's just outside the norm. If it's outside the norm, I'd just explain my feelings and get the Dr on the same page. Most Dr's seem pretty open once they understand your reasoning. How was your patient threatened or intimidated? Was it a misunderstanding or was your patient acutally threatened? Do you attend the Dr appointments with your patients? How long have you been a doula? Sorry to you as well for all the questions.

This is the first post I've done on here so I'm not even sure if I'm allowed to ask these questions. Hopefully everyone get's the opportunity to go and enjoy the nice weather!

[Ak Mom]

Samantha,

I used to live in Homer and I had a friend who got pregnant and wanted to have a VBA2C. No one at Homer Medical would attend, but Dr. Paul Raymond (not an OB-a family doc) at Kachemak Bay Medical agreed to attend. She ended up moving before she delivered (and had a hba2c in washington!) so I don't know how it would have turned out, but Homer is closer than Anchorage. And the hospital there is really nice and all the nurses are really nice and supportive. My friend didn't love him, but she also didn't dislike him. He was ok. Anyway, it's worth a shot and wanted to throw that out to you for options! Good luck!

[JaneyD]

AK Mom, what a kick it was to read your reply, as I caught your friend's baby down here in Seattle! She had such a beautiful birth. Is a travelling midwife a possibility for you, OP? I used to live in AK, and I know there are a few up there.

[Ak Mom]

It truly is a small world...

[1stimestar]

If you do not want the routine tests, then just say no thank you. If your doctor threatens you, fire him. Drs. can not drop a patient within 30 days of your due date but you can fire one at any point in time. Expect some doctors to play the dead baby card. Be prepared for it. Read Henci Goers book, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth so that you KNOW what the RESEARCH says and don't agree or disagree with doing something you are uncomfortable with just because it is someone's policy. Read the research and weigh the risks vs. benefits yourself. Do a google search for the Pregnant Patient's Bill of Rights and know that unless it is a private hospital, they follow these. No one can force you to do anything you do not want including a repeat c-section. However, having said that, know that if you do not do what they want you to do, there may be consequences, such as them treating your poorly when you are in labor. You can dimish those opportunities by showing up at their door pushing. If you live far away from the hospital, get a hotel room nearby when you get into early labor or just hang out at a nearby park or even the parking lot until you get the urge to push. The trade off with that though is that there is no monitoring of your baby's heart rate or your blood pressure, etc. It's all a trade off of what you are willing to be responsible for and what you are allowing them to be responsible for.

Yes a good doula can be very beneficial but when it comes down to brass tacks, we can't talk for you or make your choices for you. YOU CAN do that for yourself. Good luck and feel free to ask questions here as there are several of us on this board.

[Samanthavv]

If there's no fee for the classes, I have no problem with taking them. I was just worried money wise, because I'm already spending a small fortune (that i really can't afford) just to try to have this baby without another cesarean...

I have my appointment on the 22nd, but I may end up having to cancel because I got called for Jury Duty in Anchorage starting monday, and expected to last through Wednesday.

I am also very much looking into home birth. I plan on laboring as long as possible at wherever I'm staying.... But if I'm managing just fine, I might not even go in. I don't know. We shall see.