Alternative Birthing Center, W&I Providence? - Page 2

[FootprintsDoula]

I will be the doula at a birth at the Alternative Birthing Center at W&I in July.  I'm also wondering what to expect since I haven't done a birth there yet.  Is there really only 1 room?  What happens if someone is already laboring there?

[lovebeingamomma]

Originally Posted by FootprintsDoula 

I will be the doula at a birth at the Alternative Birthing Center at W&I in July.  I'm also wondering what to expect since I haven't done a birth there yet.  Is there really only 1 room?  What happens if someone is already laboring there?

Yes there's only one room if it's taken you go to a regular room.  It's all on the same floor. 

[AnnaRI86]

whats the protocol after birth? does the pediatrician come and give the eye drops/vac/vitamin k shot or does someone who works there like a nurse do that??

I am asking because I dont have a pediatrician yet, I have 4 months to go and the pediatricians I spoke to, they don't do consultations and they said I cant meet them they are "too busy".

so basically it would be my first time seeing them (not knowing whether I like them or not) 

secondly, I dont want my child vaccinated, thats why I ask, who usually does the vacc, so I know who I need to talk to / fill out a waiver or whatever the nessassary protocol.

thanks!!

[lovebeingamomma]

Originally Posted by AnnaRI86 

whats the protocol after birth? does the pediatrician come and give the eye drops/vac/vitamin k shot or does someone who works there like a nurse do that??

I am asking because I dont have a pediatrician yet, I have 4 months to go and the pediatricians I spoke to, they don't do consultations and they said I cant meet them they are "too busy".

so basically it would be my first time seeing them (not knowing whether I like them or not) 

secondly, I dont want my child vaccinated, thats why I ask, who usually does the vacc, so I know who I need to talk to / fill out a waiver or whatever the nessassary protocol.

thanks!!

A nurse would do all these things.  And you can decline any/all of the above, just let them know. 

[AnnaRI86]

good to know, thanks!

[Paige, CPM]

Hi Minerva,

Yes the healthcare system is really different in America. 

You do have the option to birth at home with midwives. http://rihomebirth.com/

Also, I would recommend looking into Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket.  Dr. Magee or Dr. Morton are very highly regarded and give much more personalized care then the large practices can sometimes offer at W & I.    W & I has a pretty high cesarean rate so if you did get risked out of the ABC there is a chance you might have a provider with a high section rate.  At Memorial you will not get risked out so you don't have to worry about any of that and they have lower cesarean rates then at W & I.

Good luck!
 

[fbclement]

As a midwife who attends births in the ABC, I just wanted to clarify that if a woman risks out of the ABC for an obstetric complication, the midwife involved will continue to take care of that women in the regular LDR. The C-Section rate in the group I work for is consistently about 12% and I believe the other group of midwives who attend births have a similar rate. 

[Paige, CPM]

So glad you posted with this information fbclement!  12% is really good!  You all should publish your stats, it would be an excellent marketing tool and womyn need to know more details about their options...   And better from the source then a bystander like me, lol!

I am guessing I met someone from your practice yesterday, she was really nice!  I am kicking myself for not having this conversation with her... 

For my part, I have understood from talking with other birth-workers and mom's posts over the years that risking out of the ABC, where womyn have had wonderful experiences, can mean that they do fall under a doc and that, depending upon who that is, can be good or difficult transition.  I apologize if I misrepresented that situation!

It is great to know you all are able to stay with womyn for that continuity.  So, for clarity, do you transfer for collaborative care, or is it like when I transfer someone from home, I become more like labor support and the doc makes all the decisions?  It is probably not quite like that as I am guessing that you do the delivery still but that maybe how collaborative or dictatorial depends upon the doctor available at the time?  Who takes the transfer?  I have only ever worked with a private practice or MFM at W & I?  Why does it become necessary to 'transfer' when the ABC is on the L n D floor (this may be obvious, but I have always wondered why that is...)?

Does your practice offer to 'special' womyn?

Thanks so much, and again so glad you posted! 
 

[fbclement]

So to answer some of your questions...when a woman transfers out of the ABC it is for some level of intervention that cannot be done in the ABC. Common examples are for non reassuring fetal heart tones requiring more than intermittent monitoring, no labor progress (although we can be very patient and try a lot before reaching this point), mother requesting an epidural. It is ultimately the midwife's decision and the midwife continues to care for that woman in the LDR, rarely does the OB become involved unless there is a real problem. Women can and do have lovely, unmedicated births in rooms other than the ABC. If continuous monitoring of the baby is indicated we advocate the use of telemetry, a system that allows the woman to be ambulating, in the shower, in the jacuzzi, wherever.

As for "specialing" women, on occasion that is done but is not a common practice, it is up to the individual midwife. However the 2 groups of midwives that use the ABC are committed to providing 24/7 midwifery coverage and while maybe different personalities we all share a commitment to the philosophy of birth as a normal process and are advocates for the women we take care of in labor.

Hope that is helpful!