Colorado Springs Birth

[madis81]

I'm currently seeing a great midwife in the Springs that delivers at Memorial North. Can anyone tell me more about their experiance giving birth or working there? Does this hospital allow water births? I know you can labor in the tub, but I'd like the option of birthing in it too.

Thanks!

[lillysweets]

In my professional opnion, Memorial North is the best hospital in town to have a baby. The attitude there is very friendly towards the mom/baby unit. In general, they are good at giving options instead of saying, "Such-and-such must be done." Unfortunately, they do not allow water births but you can labor in water. About half of the rooms have tubs. The only way that you can get a water birth in Colorado Springs is by having a home birth or an "oopps" birth in the hospital tubs.

In fact, I just assisted a mom today at Memorial North! She had a great labor and birth.

[madis81]

Thanks for your reply!

I am so bummed to hear that they don't allow water births. Having that option is something I would really like. We would do a homebirth but since I am no longer working the cost out of pocket is to much. It is so frustrating how much it would cost us up front if we only had to pay our co-insurance before that 34-36 week mark when our insurance would cover homebirth. BUT I do understand WHY it's done that way.

Can you tell me what interventions they are ok with mom declining and any they won't because of policy? Do they ever seperate mom and baby?

It's time to decide between the hospital or transferring to the birth center in Denver. I'm not sure what I dread more - a hospital birth or the drive.

[lillysweets]

The only interventions that I see them encouraging is a saline lock and intermittent monitoring. But since it sounds like you have Sharon or Missy as your midwife, they can trump the saline lock requirement. As far as intermittent monitoring, that is something that is done even at homebirths. The difference being that you are not strapped into the monitors. With Sharon and Missy, they are pretty flexible about using a doppler if you are in the tub and just hand-holding the monitor for a couple of contractions if you are out of the tub.

As far as after the birth, they are the only hospital in town that encourages rooming in 100% of your stay. No nursery visits unless baby is not doing ok. The bath and all other procedures that you choose for your newborn are done right there in your room. If it is important for you to have your baby on your chest immediately after the birth, then ask for delayed cord clamping for 10-15 minutes (which has many benefits for baby). If baby is transitioning (breathing) well on you, then they will ask if they can take the baby over to the warmer and weigh him/her. You can politely say, "no thank you" and just have the weighing done later. I cannot think of a medical reason to weigh babies right away. Babies do so much better and get less stressed when they are with their moms continuously for 1-2 hours after the birth, at a minimum. But I am sure you know this. *smile*

But all-in-all, you can refuse anything that is presented to you, you just may need to sign an "against medical advice" waiver on some things.

[KSLaura]

I've heard good things about Memorial. Both my kids were born at Penrose though.

You are thinking of going to Denver for the birth? How far is that for you? I considered a birth center in Denver for my second birth. I'm SOOO glad I decided to stay local. My second baby was almost born in the car. I was only in labor for a little over an hour.

[madis81]

Thanks for the info! Being held down by an IV would cause me anxiety. Being in the hospital in general causes me anxiety. Not a fan of them. I do want to hold and try to nurse right after birth, so I am happy to hear that we can do that!

Yes, I'm thinking about going to Denver for the birth. The drive to the birth center is exactly 59 minutes. DD2 was born there, but we never labored in the car. We stayed with family the weekend she was born. That's not an option this time around, so I am a little nervous about going this route. I have a history of quick labors, and I certainly don't want this one born in the car! Never in my life have I been so indecisive!

Really, if I could have a water birth, not have to worry about fighting hospital policy, and go home EARLIER, I would stay at the hospital. BUT since I want the option of a water birth to help manage labor, and we are so hands off and do things a lot differently then other patients, and I just want to go home after birth to sleep and be with family without being poked and prodded every 15 minutes I want to go back to the birth center.

Boy do I want a homebirth! Still trying to find a way to squeeze out the cash.

[caemommy]

It really seems like you would like a homebirth! Here is a good post on different ways of coming up with the funds...
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ad.php?t=99406

[lillysweets]

Here is a blog post that one of my doula friends wrote:

http://birthingtouch.blogspot.com/20...birth-you.html

I far too often hear women saying "My insurance doesn't cover the location, provider, type of birth I REALLY want. Well it will be okay anyway, won't it?." Or "We just bought XXXXX and cannot afford to pay for care out of pocket."

I wonder what are you willing to do to have the birth you deeply desire? It seems in other aspects of life when there is something we really want, somehow we find the time, money, etc. to attain it. Childbirth IS that important.

Below is a list of ways to find the money for the birth center, family practitioner, home birth midwife, out of network provider, doula, special childbirth class or whatever your heart is set upon to help in preparation and delivery of your baby.

A list of practical ways (sacrifices) to find the money you need:

1) In lieu of traditional baby shower gifts (honestly much of the stuff is unnecessary to having a baby except for a good baby wearing item) - ask for a group gift of the provider or location payment (or at least monies to get you well on your way).

2) Trim down your budget - do you need the highest satellite or cable package, forgo eating out or picking up expensive drinks, forgo weekly entertainment expenses, have a yard sale or post on community boards all the items you do not use (your home will be much less cluttered for it), what about your cellular service - trim back if possible, sell your car and buy something less expensive, forgo expensive hair cuts or other beauty maintenance

3) Ask for family and friends to donate to your XXXXX fund.

4) Petition your insurance company to add XXXX provider or location to their provider list.

5) Figure out all your co-pays and see if you are really spending more or close to the same anyway for what you don't really want and can actually afford the care you really desire.

6) Set-up payment schedules with provider or location - often care can be paid for over the time of your pregnancy in increments.

7) Do you have a barter to offer? Try it!

8) Move to a lower cost home to save in rent or mortgage. Hey even moving in with family temporarily can work. Extended support is often a blessing.

9) Open a 125k flexible medical spending account (thanks to my DH for reminding me about this). This money comes out of your paycheck pre-tax and you can get reimbursed for out-of-pocket medical expenses in one calendar year, it lowers your taxable income and helps you attain what you want.

Sometimes sacrifice is needed. Sometimes just a bit of trimming. Being under the thumb of insurance or lack thereof doesn't have to be your only option. Get creative. There is almost ALWAYS a way. It is worth it to you and your baby.

[JArmerding]

We just moved to Colorado Springs and I just found out I am pregnant with baby #3.  I would like to use a midwife, but I'll have to use a hospital as we live in an apartment and are not sure we will be in a new house by the time baby is born.  I would love to use a birth center but as far as I know the closest one is in Denver and I have a history of extremely quick labors.  Do you have any suggestions for midwives who deliver in hospitals?  I'd love any suggestions!  I have done two natural labors of very large babies (9lbs 9oz and 10lbs 9oz) and fully intend to do a third!

[lillysweets]

The only two options in town (unless you are with the community health center or Evans Army Hospital) are:

• Sharon Ruyak, 719-599-7331, http://www.cs-obgyn.com
• Jana Flesher, 719-884-9962 , http://www.exceptionalcareforwomen.com 

Originally Posted by JArmerding 

Do you have any suggestions for midwives who deliver in hospitals?  I'd love any suggestions! 

[Byrdie0923]

Hi! I realize I am really late on this discussion, but I was wondering if anyone has had any experiences with Jana Flesher, CNM at Exceptional Care for Women. I am almost through my first trimester with my first pregnancy. I met with Jana and really enjoyed her and appreciated how she answered my list of questions. Although she came recommended from some friends in the natural birthing community, I haven't actually met anyone who has delivered with her.  Would appreciate any feedback! Thank you! 

[lillysweets]

Jana is great!  She used to be a doula so she is great at advocating for your wishes.  My experience with her has been professional, not personal, but I would pick her as my midwife anyday.  If I were choosing hospital birth, that is.

And here is the latest news on CNM's in Colorado Springs.  Sharon Ruyak is going back to school to get her PhD so she will not be attending any more births as of June 1st.  The other midwife in their office, Missy Ritter, has quit.  So the only option left for a hospital midwife (unless you are at Evans Army Hospital or Peak Vista CHC) is Jana Flesher.  But she is a great option!

[Byrdie0923]

Candace, really appreciate your input and professional opinion.  Also, thank you very much for the update on the other CNM's in the Springs...looks like the options for CNM's are limited. Glad that there are some excellent CPM's here though! 

Thanks again!! 

[Lois Stone]

Hi...I am moving to the Springs and am looking for a midwife that can deliver at Memorial North.

Can you give me the names please of great midwives?

thanks!

Lois

[lillysweets]

Unfortunately, there are no CNM's delivering at Memorial North at this time. The doctors that I have had the best experiences with so far at Memorial North are Dr. Christain York http://www.northspringsobgyn.com and Dr. Tamara Fuller-Edins http://www.csobgyn.net/ .

The only public CNM in town is Jana Flesher http://www.exceptionalcareforwomen.com at St. Francis Medical Center.