Hospital birth help

[mama516/419]

I have (had) a great supportive mid wife threw women and infants hospital in RI , but one of the practice Drs decided to let her know 3 weeks ago she would not support my vba2c and that canceled our plans -at least on paper , she advices me to show up in active labor and they would leave me alone . Sounded good , until I reached my due date and they wanted to schedule a cs , I refused so they set it up without me . When I got the message I called to cancel , the day it was scheduled the surgeon saw my cancelations and called me very angry and demanded I go in or no one there would help me . Th e next day a midwife I never met called to cancel my apptments with my midwife and set up things with a dr , she stated there was a conflict of interest .I tried to reach her but only random midwives would return my calls . My husband and I don't feel comfortable delivering with them or at women and infants any more but given I am 41weeks along I do t know if I can get another dr . So if we end up walking into an ER would I have better luck at Kent or Memorial ?
Thanks for your time
Shannon

[Paige, CPM]

Oh Shannon, I am so sorry for what is happening to you!  That is awful and silly!

Have you called Mary Mumford-Haley?  She is at Memorial hospital. I am not sure what their stance is on vba2c, but they may actually do it.   I would call her practice and have her paged.  You need to figure this out asap.  Anyway, Memorial has the best stats (c/s rate), they support home birth and natural birth, so that would be the place I would go thru the ER.   

The other option I would also look into is calling Joyce Kimball, her contact info is at massmidwives.org.  She will answer right away or call you back asap.  She knows a doc, I think in Worcester, who does vba2c. 

BTW, I do not think it is legal for the midwifery practice to refuse care, they have to give notice, I think 2 weeks or a month....they have to give you time to find care...I will find out for you and post here.  When you have the information then you can call W & I and ask for the patient advocate and explain the situation.

Another option is to consider homebirth. There are a few cpms, incl myself, who would consider taking you...but you would have to birth in MA...if you have good friends or family or would consider a hotel (yes that has been done before) to birth at we would consider you.  Too much politically going on in RI right now to do births there.  Terrible.

[Paige, CPM]

Here is what some midwives (CNM's & CPM's) on a national midwifery list-serve I am apart of have said...

What your practice has done is considered abandonment and it is illegal.  30 days notice must be given.  By your midwife saying hang 10 until you go into labor means there was no 30 notice until the midwife called the day after you cancelled your c/s.  So, it seems that legally they may be in the wrong and still have to serve you.   I would call the hospital patient advocate, even if you do not intend on delivering with them (and I do not blame you). 

I would like to forward to you an informed consent used by Kaiser Perminente in CA for doing vbacs (it mentions vbacs after multiple sections), it might be nice for you to have when discussing with care providers...  my email is [e-mail].

[jessjgh1]

Shannon,

I'm so glad Paige saw your post.  It is so truly unfair that the hospitals/drs/policies have made this difficult and stressful for you, especially at such a late date.  I don't have anything helpful to add, but just wanted to send you warm wishes and thoughts for you to relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and find your place for a peaceful birth.  

Jessica 

[lizfu]

Shannon, what a PITA! It is complete patient abandonment. THey are not allowed to drop you past 36 weeks.

If you are in early enough labor you could drive out to CT to Manchester Memorial Hospital!  They do the best VBAC support in our state. Maybe don't share that you've already had 2 C's though. :)

[lovebeingamomma]

I don't know of the policy but if you are checking for Kent County Hospital call Deb White, CNM at Tollgate OB-GYN 401-737-2280 and ask her.  If they allow it there, I highly recommend her care and that of her partner/back-up CNM, Christine Pfieffer.