RI: Mary Mumford-Haley no longer available for VBACs and can't get an appointment with Susana...

[MomInTheBucket]

I just found out that Mary has moved on and is concentrating on home births. I'm so excited about Mary's new home birth endeavor (she's filling such a big need here in RI), but I'm incredibly bummed because I love her so much and she is not able to do VBACs. I just called to try to get an appointment with Susanna Magee, but it sounds like it's going to be near impossible to get an appointment with her -- someone is supposed to call me back as to whether I can even become a patient. Mary recommended Heidi Schneider who I've met with when Mary was unavailable, and while she was very nice and I'm sure she is eminently capable -- not to mention well-trained by Mary -- I didn't click with her the way that I did with MMH. So I would like to look into some other options. I'm feeling really nervous about this pregnancy and the whole birth process (I've had two miscarriages in the last year and labored for two days with babe #1) pp so I'd ideally like to find someone with whom I feel really comfortable

Sooo, I'm wondering if anyone has any other midwife or OB suggestions and/or thoughts on Heidi Schneider (maybe I need to give her a chance?). I'm thinking of looking into the midwives at Tollgate based on the recs here. I've also considered Dr. Morton, but a) I'd feel much more comfortable with a woman and b) I assume his backup is his partner Dr. Pepi who is a great surgeon (he did my section) but is definitely not very naturally inclined when it comes to birth (day after birth, he was already talking about how now I could just schedule a section when I had my next baby and wasn't that fabulous!).

Thanks everyone!

[mauraa629]

I also did not click with heidi schneider.  I was lucky to have Mary for my first vbac and really wanted her for the 2nd but i got dr schneider.  i did have a successful vbac, but it was not like the one i had with mary.  i feel that i had no support from heidi and that she was slightly anxious to intervene and wanted to use the vacuum  and dr. morton really saved me by not giving the ok for the vacuum.  I just really wish that I had been more specific with heidi about what i wanted.  i really wanted to do things natural and was so close, I know it's not her responsibility to help me not ask for an epidural, but i was already involuntarily pushing when i asked for one, i wish she turned me down, i feel like mary would have helped me thru that last bit, but it's my fault, it was my decision to get one.  If i were to have another baby, i would definitely look for someone new.  Heidi probably does a great job with a fast easy labor, but i did not feel comfortable with her during a vbac.  I also went and met with a midwife from tollgate after i first met heidi because i was nervous i would get her and i wanted a midwife not an ob.  i forget who i saw, she was in her 50's and was very nice, but still not mary.  Maybe memorial hospital could recommend more midwives that deliver there? my husband and i drove an hour during 2 labors to memorial to deliver, i really like that you are pretty much the only laboring person there. 

[MomInTheBucket]

Thanks Maurraa629! This is all good to know. It's such a small staff at Memorial that I'm not sure if they have any more midwives, but it's worth checking. There's also a new doctor -- a woman -- at Morton's practice, so I could maybe meet with her, too... Sigh. SO bummed about Mary.

[jessjgh1]

Would you consider a doula that would help support you, but also who might be able to help you find someone you click with?  Or help ease the situation if you end up with one of the providers that's not a perfect match?   I'm not in your area, but my doula was awesome and made the preparation for my 2nd birth so much the better.  If Mary's been giving recs for drs, maybe she could also give you a rec for a doula. Good luck and enjoy your pregnancy!

Jessica

[MomInTheBucket]

I am definitely considering a doula (I used one for babe #1). Good idea! Just hoping to find a supportive provider as well. Thanks!

[laneysprout]

I just PM'd you, sorry for the delay!

[AuroraMT]

Dr. Morton did my c-section after I transported from home at 10cm dilated. I'm about to go and meet with Heidi now - considering her as my PCP, but I did like Dr. Morton a lot and would consider him if he were a general practitioner, too. I had a VBAC in VT at a training hospital, read with very little support, but it all turned out okay. I thought the male doctors would bug me out but some of the females were far worse. I agree that a doula would have made a huge difference. If nothing else works I'd really consider Dr. Morton. He has a gentle way about him. I recall being rushed in to Memorial and everyone seemed so upset with my situation but he just walked in and smiled! I'm hoping I like Heidi. I'm not pregnant but I really want to establish a relationship with my next ob before I am. Part of my struggles both times has been finding a practitioner in the early weeks of pregnancy...I have switched practitioners two or three times for each pregnancy for one reason or another. It seems like a silly model to me!

Good luck and congrats!!!