Hi all,
I have a really hard time keeping up with the chat thread, so I thought I'd post my info over here instead. Hope nobody minds.
So, I just moved up here to Tallahassee this past winter, and got pregnant right after we got here. I had been planning a birth center birth down in Fort Lauderdale for my next birth, a VBAC. But, when we got here, I realized I would have to give up that dream. The only birth center in town cannot currently take VBAC's because of the local docs. Grrr! So, my choices are UC or hospital VBAC. I don't like either choice very much, but because we're 25 minutes from the nearest hospital, I feel like we have to choose a hospital VBAC.
So, I started interviewing practices here in town. I tried our family practice doctor, who said he would attend a VBAC, but his requirements were awfully strict - no later than 40 weeks or induction, baby must weigh under 8 lb 10 oz according to ultrasound or induction, blah blah blah, induction, induction, induction. So, I tried one of the two other practices here in town who will support a VBAC. I chose one of them, the one that is known to be the most supportive, but I'm just not happy and I don't know what to do about it.
Last appointment, which was my first one with them, they switched the person I was supposed to see at the last minute without telling me. I did not like that at all. I mean, what if I sent in a friend of mine instead of actually keeping my own appointment. Would they see her? I bet not. So, I saw another midwife there, and wouldn't you know, I got the medwife from h*ll. I didn't want an internal exam, but she said if I didn't cooperate, I'd have to find another practice. No good reason given, just "procedure" and the fact that she wanted to make sure my cervix was closed and tight. As if that matters. I finally submitted, but I left feeling really angry about it.
So, I go in yesterday, after calling to verify that my appointment was with the person I'd requested (who'd been recommended to me), and had a bawl fest with her. She was very kind, very gentle, spent a lot of time with me explaining why it's important to have an internal, which I still don't agree with, but at least now I can see their point of view and we reviewed every intervention that would be coming in the future. We came up with a plan that I'm happy with, and I feel tons better. But, who knows if the other midwives will cooperate as well. We'll see. And, it pisses me off that it's *my* birth, and I have to see if they'll do what *I* want. I feel trapped, because I really don't feel comfortable with a UC, but there's no other option near me. I've even called The Farm, and they didn't like my medical history. Grrrr!
So, about the appt. I'm pretty overweight, and they are concerned about weight gain staying under 15 pounds. Well, as of yesterday, I'm only 2 lb over prepregancy, so that's good. I had gestational diabetes last time, so they checked my blood sugar yesterday (without informing me before the appt) and it was 91, which is perfect. My iron levels are superb, 12.9, which is particularly amazing since I'm not taking my prenatal vitamins. They made me very sick last pregnancy, so I'm trying to make sure I eat properly, and it's apparently working.
They do want to do an ultrasound, since I have had a cesarean, and we agreed on one at 32 weeks. I'd rather avoid one altogether, but I see the value in at least knowing where the placenta is. They wanted to do one sooner, rather than later, but everything I've read says that later is better, since the placenta still moves up until the very end. They don't put any stock in how big the baby is based on ultrasounds, so I'm not worried they're going to flip out about the size at that late date. That should be the only ultrasound I get before delivery, provided I stay healthy. Next appt. I get the GTT, which I'm totally dreading. I'm fairly sure they'll diagnose me with GD again, but I'm trying not to think about it.
Anyway, just had to vent that all out. Oh, and my blood pressure was 110/60, which is great. Last time I developed pre-eclampsia (can you spell walking intervention?) so I'm very relieved my blood pressure is staying low so far.
Okay, novel over.
I have a really hard time keeping up with the chat thread, so I thought I'd post my info over here instead. Hope nobody minds.
So, I just moved up here to Tallahassee this past winter, and got pregnant right after we got here. I had been planning a birth center birth down in Fort Lauderdale for my next birth, a VBAC. But, when we got here, I realized I would have to give up that dream. The only birth center in town cannot currently take VBAC's because of the local docs. Grrr! So, my choices are UC or hospital VBAC. I don't like either choice very much, but because we're 25 minutes from the nearest hospital, I feel like we have to choose a hospital VBAC.
So, I started interviewing practices here in town. I tried our family practice doctor, who said he would attend a VBAC, but his requirements were awfully strict - no later than 40 weeks or induction, baby must weigh under 8 lb 10 oz according to ultrasound or induction, blah blah blah, induction, induction, induction. So, I tried one of the two other practices here in town who will support a VBAC. I chose one of them, the one that is known to be the most supportive, but I'm just not happy and I don't know what to do about it.
Last appointment, which was my first one with them, they switched the person I was supposed to see at the last minute without telling me. I did not like that at all. I mean, what if I sent in a friend of mine instead of actually keeping my own appointment. Would they see her? I bet not. So, I saw another midwife there, and wouldn't you know, I got the medwife from h*ll. I didn't want an internal exam, but she said if I didn't cooperate, I'd have to find another practice. No good reason given, just "procedure" and the fact that she wanted to make sure my cervix was closed and tight. As if that matters. I finally submitted, but I left feeling really angry about it.
So, I go in yesterday, after calling to verify that my appointment was with the person I'd requested (who'd been recommended to me), and had a bawl fest with her. She was very kind, very gentle, spent a lot of time with me explaining why it's important to have an internal, which I still don't agree with, but at least now I can see their point of view and we reviewed every intervention that would be coming in the future. We came up with a plan that I'm happy with, and I feel tons better. But, who knows if the other midwives will cooperate as well. We'll see. And, it pisses me off that it's *my* birth, and I have to see if they'll do what *I* want. I feel trapped, because I really don't feel comfortable with a UC, but there's no other option near me. I've even called The Farm, and they didn't like my medical history. Grrrr!
So, about the appt. I'm pretty overweight, and they are concerned about weight gain staying under 15 pounds. Well, as of yesterday, I'm only 2 lb over prepregancy, so that's good. I had gestational diabetes last time, so they checked my blood sugar yesterday (without informing me before the appt) and it was 91, which is perfect. My iron levels are superb, 12.9, which is particularly amazing since I'm not taking my prenatal vitamins. They made me very sick last pregnancy, so I'm trying to make sure I eat properly, and it's apparently working.
They do want to do an ultrasound, since I have had a cesarean, and we agreed on one at 32 weeks. I'd rather avoid one altogether, but I see the value in at least knowing where the placenta is. They wanted to do one sooner, rather than later, but everything I've read says that later is better, since the placenta still moves up until the very end. They don't put any stock in how big the baby is based on ultrasounds, so I'm not worried they're going to flip out about the size at that late date. That should be the only ultrasound I get before delivery, provided I stay healthy. Next appt. I get the GTT, which I'm totally dreading. I'm fairly sure they'll diagnose me with GD again, but I'm trying not to think about it.
Anyway, just had to vent that all out. Oh, and my blood pressure was 110/60, which is great. Last time I developed pre-eclampsia (can you spell walking intervention?) so I'm very relieved my blood pressure is staying low so far.
Okay, novel over.
