Illinois - Midwives - Medicaid ??? - Page 2

[boomer78]

DoulaSam - thanks again, you're such a huge help!

I'm planning on skipping the epidural this time, provided I can move freely during contractions. The only thing that still worries me is the commute. If second labors are quicker than the first I may be in for a trouble. I would be coming from the Schaumburg area. You can picture what the traffic looks like on some days at certain hours. If I had to go there for the monthly/weekly check ups it would be costly and time consuming. Or I guess maybe I wouldn't need to see the midwife at the hospital(?). Oak Park would probably be the closest one of them. If my husband wouldn't be able to get home on time (traffic, etc.) I woldn't be able to go by myself due to distance.

Where can I find a midwife that might accept Medicaid? I did find some pages but they were so outdated every time I called a place it was either closed down, relocated somewhere else with another name (never found them again) or there was another problem.

We don't have anybody to watch dd so obviously there would be my husband but no one else. Does that usually count as the one person rule? If need be, I can do it myself but at least our daughter would be taken care of. I still want her there, whether she is asleep or awake.

I'm sensing you don't really recommend any of the hospitals nearby. I was really counting on one of the two I mentioned if home birth falls through and now don't know what to do. I guess I could do it all by myself at home...but not really. It would be too traumatic for my husband. :) 

[DoulaSam]

It really just comes down to what type of birthing options you want, how long you are willing to labor at home, and how much you are willing to push back against the staff on some issues. I've had decent births at many suburban hospitals, but there had to be some compromising on moms end and some extra assertiveness from the partner. The biggest things are learn in depth about your options, stand up for your rights and believe in your body's ability, 

[Eyelet]

Originally Posted by boomer78 

So home birth is ruled out, we can't afford to pay as much at the moment, unfortunately. Sigh. Back to square one and back to a hospital.

boomer78 - I'm just curious, does Debbie Boucher no longer accept medicaid? I only ask because a friend of mine is interested in a home birth and has medicaid - thanks!

[ilovetchotchkes]

I have to be honest, I live in Aurora Illinois, and just delivered at West Sub with the west suburban midwives  a week ago. Yes its a long ass drive. Yes, i was terrified of delivering on the side of the Eisenhower expressway, but for a hospital birth? it was seriously phenomenal. ANd in my case home birth would have been ruled out even had I been planning one as we had a massive sewer back up WHILE I WAS IN LABOR. I can honestly say, i've now had the birth experience I wanted, short of a home birth which will be the plan if we have an "oops" (we are not planning on any more children). 

I do know for a fact that you CAN skip the GBS swab, but  (hospital rules) you'd have to have your baby within 18 hours of your water breaking to NOT get ABX. They have you follow a protocol ahead of time though- basically loading up on the vitamin C, echinachea, garlic and probiotics. I get the feeling most people in their practice pass with flying colors. 

The GD test- you have to take, again, hospital protocol, HOWEVER, I told the midwife that it made me violently sick last time and could I PLEASE not drink glucola. She gave me instructions on an alternate way to get the sugar- in my case, one of those REALLY YUMMY naked juices. She also said I could do jelly beans or candy if I recall correctly (was like 3 months ago! LOL) 

The HIV test is another "hospital policy" in order to give birth in the ABC room. 

I delivered in definitely NOT on my back- I was squatting in a pool of water. In fact, the midwife who delivered my daughter, when I tried to lay down earlier in labor, basically - her and my doula said "no no no no way dude, you're staying upright" 

I did not have monitors ON me, instead my midwife checked with a doppler about every hour or so. We have pictures of her trying to get the  last doppler reading when I yelled "OMG NO BABY IS COMING! NO TIME FOR THAT" lol! 

Getting my placenta was no big deal either. My midwife double bagged it and handed it to my doula who was taking it to be encapsulated. 

I've given birth there TWICE. And if you come in in labor, and someone is "recovering" after a birth in the ABC room, they'll get kicked out and transfered so that you can birth. - I was this time. My midwives were I believe four out of four for water births friday-saturday last week!!!! 

Its only epidurals that you'd get moved out of the ABC room- they can put a hep lock in and give you Stadol if you get really desperate. With my son's birth i opted for an epidural for pain relief - ok not really for the pain, but honestly, I had not slept in 48 hours and simply wanted to sleep.

 They are VERY doula friendly, in fact in their "to do " list for "what to do in prep for labor and delivery" it says "Hire a doula". 

My baby wasn't bathed either- nor did we have to do vitamin K or the eye goop. We deferred the Hep B shot as well. (I do any and all vaccinations that my kids get through the pediatrician, the hospital was not cooperative about me nursing while shots were given and my ped is. ) 

[ilovetchotchkes]

oh and dont' even THINK about trying for a natural birth at Edwards. Word on "the street" is that its bar none the hardest fight and most difficult to achieve there. 

[boomer78]

Originally Posted by DoulaSam 

It really just comes down to what type of birthing options you want, how long you are willing to labor at home, and how much you are willing to push back against the staff on some issues. I've had decent births at many suburban hospitals, but there had to be some compromising on moms end and some extra assertiveness from the partner. The biggest things are learn in depth about your options, stand up for your rights and believe in your body's ability, 

You're right. So far I have figured out what I don't want. I don't know what I DO want.

Originally Posted by ilovetchotchkes 

I have to be honest, I live in Aurora Illinois, and just delivered at West Sub with the west suburban midwives  a week ago. Yes its a long ass drive. Yes, i was terrified of delivering on the side of the Eisenhower expressway, but for a hospital birth? it was seriously phenomenal. ANd in my case home birth would have been ruled out even had I been planning one as we had a massive sewer back up WHILE I WAS IN LABOR. I can honestly say, i've now had the birth experience I wanted, short of a home birth which will be the plan if we have an "oops" (we are not planning on any more children). 

I do know for a fact that you CAN skip the GBS swab, but  (hospital rules) you'd have to have your baby within 18 hours of your water breaking to NOT get ABX. They have you follow a protocol ahead of time though- basically loading up on the vitamin C, echinachea, garlic and probiotics. I get the feeling most people in their practice pass with flying colors. 

The GD test- you have to take, again, hospital protocol, HOWEVER, I told the midwife that it made me violently sick last time and could I PLEASE not drink glucola. She gave me instructions on an alternate way to get the sugar- in my case, one of those REALLY YUMMY naked juices. She also said I could do jelly beans or candy if I recall correctly (was like 3 months ago! LOL) 

The HIV test is another "hospital policy" in order to give birth in the ABC room. 

I delivered in definitely NOT on my back- I was squatting in a pool of water. In fact, the midwife who delivered my daughter, when I tried to lay down earlier in labor, basically - her and my doula said "no no no no way dude, you're staying upright" 

I did not have monitors ON me, instead my midwife checked with a doppler about every hour or so. We have pictures of her trying to get the  last doppler reading when I yelled "OMG NO BABY IS COMING! NO TIME FOR THAT" lol! 

Getting my placenta was no big deal either. My midwife double bagged it and handed it to my doula who was taking it to be encapsulated. 

I've given birth there TWICE. And if you come in in labor, and someone is "recovering" after a birth in the ABC room, they'll get kicked out and transfered so that you can birth. - I was this time. My midwives were I believe four out of four for water births friday-saturday last week!!!! 

Its only epidurals that you'd get moved out of the ABC room- they can put a hep lock in and give you Stadol if you get really desperate. With my son's birth i opted for an epidural for pain relief - ok not really for the pain, but honestly, I had not slept in 48 hours and simply wanted to sleep.

 They are VERY doula friendly, in fact in their "to do " list for "what to do in prep for labor and delivery" it says "Hire a doula". 

My baby wasn't bathed either- nor did we have to do vitamin K or the eye goop. We deferred the Hep B shot as well. (I do any and all vaccinations that my kids get through the pediatrician, the hospital was not cooperative about me nursing while shots were given and my ped is. ) 

Thank you! Another positive review. I have never actually heard of a negative one for that matter. OK I guess I'll have to live with the drive. I would have to go there for the check ups as well, right? I guess it would be too ideal if they let someone else handle the regular check ups (someone close by) and just go there prior labor or when in labor.

I have to read up on the placenta. I noticed I lot of mamas bring it home, I don't know why - I'm still trying to figure out all the differences in a typical hospital birth and a laid back setting experience.

Originally Posted by Eyelet 

boomer78 - I'm just curious, does Debbie Boucher no longer accept medicaid? I only ask because a friend of mine is interested in a home birth and has medicaid - thanks!

She does, but you have to pay about  $1700 out of pocket if you have Medicaid (I'm not sure how different it might be with a different insurance). All midwifes charge about this for a home / Medicaid (it seems).  

[boomer78]

Originally Posted by ilovetchotchkes 

oh and dont' even THINK about trying for a natural birth at Edwards. Word on "the street" is that its bar none the hardest fight and most difficult to achieve there. 

 That's Naperville, right? Thanks for that info as well. What would I have done without mothering is beyond me. :)

[tropicana]

have you looked at Delnor??

i had a wonderful natural birth there in 2009, with a midwife.

don't know anything about medicaid, but it's a major hospital, so can't see why they wouldn't.

i do believe the midwife is no longer there, however.

but -- without knowing the ranking of your priorities -- i can say that they were respectful of my natural birth, allowed me to move freely, i could have delivered standing up, but didn't. i came in at 7 cm (this by the way is the ticket, as long as all is well, stay home and let your labor progress to the point of no return before going in to a hospital) and brought in my whole entourage -- husband, doula, my mother, my 3 year old daughter. ALL were allowed in the labor and delivery. my daughter stayed with me for the entire 2 day hospital stay. Delnor was extremely accommodating. they brought in an extra cot for her to sleep on, too.

also, i've heard great things about Rush Copley midwives in Aurora, might want to check them out, too...

[boomer78]

Originally Posted by tropicana 

have you looked at Delnor??

i had a wonderful natural birth there in 2009, with a midwife.

don't know anything about medicaid, but it's a major hospital, so can't see why they wouldn't.

i do believe the midwife is no longer there, however.

but -- without knowing the ranking of your priorities -- i can say that they were respectful of my natural birth, allowed me to move freely, i could have delivered standing up, but didn't. i came in at 7 cm (this by the way is the ticket, as long as all is well, stay home and let your labor progress to the point of no return before going in to a hospital) and brought in my whole entourage -- husband, doula, my mother, my 3 year old daughter. ALL were allowed in the labor and delivery. my daughter stayed with me for the entire 2 day hospital stay. Delnor was extremely accommodating. they brought in an extra cot for her to sleep on, too.

also, i've heard great things about Rush Copley midwives in Aurora, might want to check them out, too...

Nope. Haven't looked into Delnor yet. At least the name doesn't sound familiar. I have to look up where it even is. I looked where Rush Copley is, it's quite a hike as well. But maybe there would be less traffic going south.

Sounds like a dreamy experience! Minus the pain of course. And how nice that they let your daughter stay with you 2 days.

I would definitely like to stay home for as long as possible. But if I chose to go with West Suburban I don't want long enough to become too long, it's quite a hike. And what if I have to go during the rush hour? I would end up on the news for sure, giving labor on the side of the highway with everybody standing in traffic getting a nice peak. But hey, it would be natural and I could chose my position. Although, no standing up I guess.

Can I ask you how did you then 3 year old take the experience? My friends all think I'm nuts, they're convinced dd (would be 3 and a few months by then) will be traumatized. While I know that's not true I don't know how kids usually react.

[tropicana]

i was in labor at home for a good 30+ hours. but got the bloody show around 9 pm. we got to Delnor (which is in Geneva, Randall Road, a little south of Route 64) around 10 pm. my daughter had fallen asleep in the car. so she slept through the entire hard part (transition, etc.) i walked the halls during this time anyway, with my doulas; my mom and my husband stayed in the room and talked and kept an eye on my daughter.

the baby was born just before 1 am. when he came out and started to cry, that's when my daughter woke up. she woke up just in time to be the first to meet her baby brother!

BTW, when he was born, he came straight up to me. they gave me warm blankets and he just stayed with me for a good 1/2 hour at least. i was able to nurse him, he was still covered in all his birth goo. in fact, i decided to refuse his baths altogether, just let them eventually do a wipe down. 

--

i was blessed with that hospital experience.

how would YOU handle it if you had your kiddo in the delivery room with you. i was really lucky she was konked out. i would definitely have a person on hand dedicated to your kid. in my case it was my mother. she would have been content to spend time with her grandma in the hallway or the lunch room or the gift shop. when the going gets rough (and don't kid yourself, you know it will), the last thing you can do is be having to be "on" for your 3 year old. so make sure you think it through all the way and have "things" packed and with you, DVDs, toys, books, comfort lovies, etc. etc. 

also, try and prep your kid for the whole birth experience. i took her with me to natural childbirth education classes, and let her see some movies showing a baby coming out, and even women in labor. so it would not be totally foreign to her to see me in intense pain.

... HTH 

[ilovetchotchkes]

Originally Posted by boomer78 

Nope. Haven't looked into Delnor yet. At least the name doesn't sound familiar. I have to look up where it even is. I looked where Rush Copley is, it's quite a hike as well. But maybe there would be less traffic going south.

Sounds like a dreamy experience! Minus the pain of course. And how nice that they let your daughter stay with you 2 days.

I would definitely like to stay home for as long as possible. But if I chose to go with West Suburban I don't want long enough to become too long, it's quite a hike. And what if I have to go during the rush hour? I would end up on the news for sure, giving labor on the side of the highway with everybody standing in traffic getting a nice peak. But hey, it would be natural and I could chose my position. Although, no standing up I guess.

Can I ask you how did you then 3 year old take the experience? My friends all think I'm nuts, they're convinced dd (would be 3 and a few months by then) will be traumatized. While I know that's not true I don't know how kids usually react.

You do have to have check ups at the midwife office, HOWEVER, they're REALLY good about actually yanno, taking TIME with you. That and there's a pretty kick ass Thai place downstairs from them. And an Oberweiss... (I can seriously recommend like 5 restaurants near them! HA HA !) Also, there's an amazing toy store across the street or  a top notch kids bookstore on the same block that your husband can take the kiddo to while you're at appointments. :) 

My ONLY hesitation about Delnor is that their C-section rate is near 40%.... that's WAY too high for my comfort!!! From what i've heard Rush copley vs Mercy (on route 31)- Rush is your better bet for a natural birth. 

http://www.theunnecesarean.com/blog/2011/12/4/illinois-cesarean-rates-by-hospital-2010.html

[franmama]

Originally Posted by AmandaMamma 

Hi there!
I had my first baby in late 2007 with a midwife practice that no longer exists. They delivered with Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village. I had a horrible experience as well as a friend of mine. Bad experience as in I went to therapy for a while after. The one silver lining was a specific midwife who saved my ass from a section and stood up for me. Fast forward to this year and becoming pregnant I found her again. She works under an OB in his office in Arlington Heights.
She is not like a home birth midwif though. Her background was labor and delivery nurse first. She does believe in some testing. I did do the glucose testing which I was okay with becaus of my weight. I passed by a measly point and she has me monitoring but refuses to give me the official diagnosis because of the extra intervention it would bring.
The OB she works for sought her out and trusts and believes in her. For me that was a great sign.
She delivers at Northwest Community in Arlington Heights. When I went for the tour the nurse talked about how once you get in there they want you up and moving around, if everything is fine they do the baby checks while the baby is on your chest. And they defer to your doctor (or midwife) about what kind of monitoring you need. (at Alexian I was bullied by the nursing staff, my midwife says Northwest is a much nicer place.)
Anyway, I'm on the Mom and Baby insurance and they take that. I can PM you her specific info. She might be worth trying compared to alternatives, but again I'm not sure if she is quite as hands off as you would prefer.
Good Luck!
Amanda

Amanda --

I would love the name of your midwife.  I just found out I'm pregnant with my second child; I used a midwife at Evanston Hospital with my first, but she has since retired.  So I need someone new and would appreciate someone closer to home this time around (I live in Arlington Heights). 

Thanks very much, Tami

[DoulaSam]

Fran I'm pretty sure the midwife is Wendy Allen 

[franmama]

Originally Posted by DoulaSam 

Fran I'm pretty sure the midwife is Wendy Allen 

Thanks DoulaSam!

[boomer78]

Originally Posted by ilovetchotchkes 

You do have to have check ups at the midwife office, HOWEVER, they're REALLY good about actually yanno, taking TIME with you. That and there's a pretty kick ass Thai place downstairs from them. And an Oberweiss... (I can seriously recommend like 5 restaurants near them! HA HA !) Also, there's an amazing toy store across the street or  a top notch kids bookstore on the same block that your husband can take the kiddo to while you're at appointments. :) 

My ONLY hesitation about Delnor is that their C-section rate is near 40%.... that's WAY too high for my comfort!!! From what i've heard Rush copley vs Mercy (on route 31)- Rush is your better bet for a natural birth. 

http://www.theunnecesarean.com/blog/2011/12/4/illinois-cesarean-rates-by-hospital-2010.html

Yikes! 40% really is way too high... 

Originally Posted by tropicana 

i was in labor at home for a good 30+ hours. but got the bloody show around 9 pm. we got to Delnor (which is in Geneva, Randall Road, a little south of Route 64) around 10 pm. my daughter had fallen asleep in the car. so she slept through the entire hard part (transition, etc.) i walked the halls during this time anyway, with my doulas; my mom and my husband stayed in the room and talked and kept an eye on my daughter.

the baby was born just before 1 am. when he came out and started to cry, that's when my daughter woke up. she woke up just in time to be the first to meet her baby brother!

BTW, when he was born, he came straight up to me. they gave me warm blankets and he just stayed with me for a good 1/2 hour at least. i was able to nurse him, he was still covered in all his birth goo. in fact, i decided to refuse his baths altogether, just let them eventually do a wipe down. 

--

i was blessed with that hospital experience.

how would YOU handle it if you had your kiddo in the delivery room with you. i was really lucky she was konked out. i would definitely have a person on hand dedicated to your kid. in my case it was my mother. she would have been content to spend time with her grandma in the hallway or the lunch room or the gift shop. when the going gets rough (and don't kid yourself, you know it will), the last thing you can do is be having to be "on" for your 3 year old. so make sure you think it through all the way and have "things" packed and with you, DVDs, toys, books, comfort lovies, etc. etc. 

also, try and prep your kid for the whole birth experience. i took her with me to natural childbirth education classes, and let her see some movies showing a baby coming out, and even women in labor. so it would not be totally foreign to her to see me in intense pain.

... HTH 

Honestly, I have no clue how I would respond to dd during this experience. I'm kinda hoping she would just be asleep. LOL It's a good idea to let her see what it's all about. We have no family members in the country so it has to be just us.

[boomer78]

Originally Posted by franmama 

Amanda --

I would love the name of your midwife.  I just found out I'm pregnant with my second child; I used a midwife at Evanston Hospital with my first, but she has since retired.  So I need someone new and would appreciate someone closer to home this time around (I live in Arlington Heights). 

Thanks very much, Tami

DoulaSam had already responded, it is Wendy Allen.

Wendy Allen
Northwest Professional Obstetrics and Gynecology

http://www.for-women-only.org/Default.aspx

 

[MommyRuth]

Can I jump in with a question? Have any women who delivered at West Suburban met with both groups of midwives? If so, which did you prefer and why? I'm going to set up a consultation with each group, but would love some input ahead of time. Thanks!

[ilovetchotchkes]

Originally Posted by MommyRuth 

Can I jump in with a question? Have any women who delivered at West Suburban met with both groups of midwives? If so, which did you prefer and why? I'm going to set up a consultation with each group, but would love some input ahead of time. Thanks!

I've only met the one set- West sub midwives, but a good friend of mine delivered with the other set and was very happy with them- I guess there was a huge issue with her son's birth and things got hairy for a bit, and had she had an OB would have had a section, with these midwives, she had an episiotomy but she said she'd take that over a c-section any day! 

[MommyRuth]

Originally Posted by ilovetchotchkes 

I've only met the one set- West sub midwives, but a good friend of mine delivered with the other set and was very happy with them- I guess there was a huge issue with her son's birth and things got hairy for a bit, and had she had an OB would have had a section, with these midwives, she had an episiotomy but she said she'd take that over a c-section any day! 

Thanks!

[DoulaSam]

As a doula I have had more clients like the West Sub midwives over the Oak Park, but I think it all comes down to personality-they are all very qualified. Also Gentle Birth Care, the home birth Practice, is out of Oak Park and WONDERFUL.