Natural Birth at Central Vermont Medical Center

[AuroraMT]

Hi all, 

I'm just about 30 weeks pregnant and really reconsidering my decision to go with Central Vermont hospital. 

I'm hoping for a natural birth, no interventions, no drugs, calm and wonderful etc. My last birth was a home birth but due to early complications with this pregnancy home is not really an option this time around. I was initially really happy with my experience at CVMC. I had to have surgery during my 8th week and felt they handled it wonderfully. I got to stay on the birthing floor and thought the nurses were wonderful. 

I just toured the hospital and felt great with the nurses but I'm not having the same experience with the doctors and midwife. 

I'm wondering who out there has had a pleasant and natural experience at CVMC. Should I take off now and head to Gifford? If you have any happy stories to share please do so! I feel if I'm going to make a change I need to do it asap. 

Thanks in advance. 

[PNCTink]

I have never had a child there, but was hospitalized in February and stayed on the women and children's unit. I agree that the nurses are great! Very attentive and they were all really friendly. The LC was also very helpful. I'm sorry I cannot comment on the doctors or the midwife. Good luck in making your decision.

[annaconda]

CVMC is my backup if I don't UC at home... I'm pleased so far.  I went in for a prenatal lactation consultant today and the birthing center was 1) empty and quiet and 2) staffed by really nice and helpful people.

[4babes]

I know one woman who had a natural birth at CVMC, but I think that's the exception rather than the norm.  I've heard that the nurses are great, but the doctors are not as supportive -- there's one that's supposed to be good, but I can't remember the name.  Gifford has a good reputation and I know lots of women who had great experiences there.  You might also check out Copley -- the homebirth midwives I know tend to transfer there and my sister had a really good experience there (except for the transfer). 

CVMC might be a better bet for a transfer from a UC, since you're probably looking at intervention in that case.

Follow that gut.....

[AuroraMT]

I wouldn't mind using it for a back up. I transported with my first after he developed an infection at home.  (After 20 plus hours of ruptured membranes and at 10cm dilated...it was a really rare series of events, not trying to alarm you. Mostly my midwife made a bunch of bad decisions, including many internal exams starting two hours after my water was broken to induce. Home birth is totally safe and very, very possible. I just got a bit unlucky!) But I think it's pretty safe to say if you're transporting you probably need some intervention and hospitals are a great place to get that! So I'd be much more comfortable with them if that were the case for me. I actually had emergency surgery there at the beginning of this pregnancy. Dr. Knowlton attended that. He was great and my whole experience there was great. It's not as a conventional hospital that I questioned them but as a place to experience natural, un-medicated, intervention free childbirth. 

I did end up switching to Gifford and I'm so glad that I did. I'm due on Monday so I guess we'll see soon enough how this is all going to play out. I feel good though! 

Maria