Springfield, MO recommendations

[caitryn]

Hi!  I am currently living in south Mississippi, but my husband got a job in Springfield, MO, so my whole family will be moving there in the near future.  I have an almost 4 year old son (possibly autistic, getting an official diagnosis within the next week), a one-year-old daughter, and am currently somewhere between 11 and 12 weeks pregnant.  I am starting to collect information on OBs, midwives, and pediatricians in the Springfield area so I can start working my way into appointments as soon as possible.  (We're hoping it will be withing the next month, month-and-a-half that we'll be up there.  I am under the care of an OB in MS right now.)  

We have family in Springfield including my MIL who works for a hospital and my SIL who is in her third trimester.  They both have their recommendations, of course, but they are also both rather "mainstream" in thought.  I trust them, sure, but since the area is so large compared to what I am used to, I would like to keep my options open while I can in hopes of finding people who think more along the same lines as I do.

In case it matters, I do use epidurals or anything like that, but I don't mind some medical prep, if that makes sense.  (For example, forgive the lack of technical terminology, I don't mind having that little spiggot like thing in my arm to attach an IV to in case of an emergency.)  I have a history of carrying Strep B, and I also give birth quickly.  (3 hours for my son who I delivered 6 weeks early after my water spontaneously ruptured and between 3 and 4 hours for my daughter who was induced.  Pitocin didn't slow us down, apparently!)  I need a delivery-person who is going to believe me when I say, "The baby is coming NOW!" and will also believe me when I say that I almost literally "shoot them out."  Yeah, that's a not-so-long story...  I know how my body works by now, and I don't want to be forced into any unnecessary medical interventions; though, again, I don't mind a few things here and there.

As for pediatricians, I want one who will listen.  I want one who will believe me when I tell him/her that we have a history of deadly reactions to the pertussis vaccine in my family.  I don't mind vaccines, but I want an alternate schedule that I can agree is safe and still avoid and/or get whatever paperwork is necessary so that my children don't have to have the pertussis vaccine, the only vaccine I am afraid of.

I want doctors who strongly support exclusive breastfeeding, that I know what's best for my child, and cloth diapering.  Circumcision doesn't matter to me unless the doc wants to push his/her views on me.  (Another long story that I'm not willing to get into publicly.)  Overall, I'm a bit less than "crunchy," but I'm definitely not mainstream.  I don't really know how else to put it without inviting trouble. :)

So, I guess all of that is the long-winded way of saying that I would like someone who supports natural birth and AP parenting, but I don't mind if they support other views to as long as they are giving some power to the parent.

[MadelinesMama]

Welcome to Springfield!  First we need to know who your insurance is through.  This town is very divided between Mercy and Coxhealth.  While I loved my ob (Dr. Kidder--Cox insurance), I don't think he meets your criteria because he is pretty stubborn about some things.  We have an excellent pediatrician (Dr. Hanks--Cox insurance), but he is not willing to budge on vaccinations. 

I have worked with most of the obgyn's at Cox, so if you have any questions about any of them you could certainly pm me and I will do my best to help.

[bloodofthefae]

*eves drops*

I am new to springfield mo as well and will be needed all of the above

[caitryn]

I am unsure of how insurance will work right now.  My husband just started his new job today, and he should be signing all the benefits paperwork today.  He mentioned something about union paperwork, too, which I also know little about.  (MS is a right-to-work state, so unions are something most of us have heard of rather than have experienced.)  I know my MIL works for Mercy, and my SIL, who works for the same company as my husband, has a Mercy-affiliated OB (Geoffery L. Stanczyk).  I don't know if DH is being given a choice or if his company has picked one over the other.  I was just really impressed that he doesn't have to wait 90 days to get the insurance.

 

 

[caitryn]

Okay, I found that a birthing center was just opened in May, I believe, of this year in Springfield (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Ueland-Certified-Professional-Midwife/133918109979112).  I'm probably going to call and talk to them once I know more about our insurance situation.  Also, I finally found the magic combination of words for a Google search and came across this: http://www.ratemds.com/doctor-ratings/144437/Dr-Everette-Beguin-SPRINGFIELD-MO.html.  He seems promising.  The only potential issue will, again, be with the insurance.

For pediatricians, I found this: http://www.cafemom.com/group/3542/forums/read/4708445/Need_to_find_a_non_vax_friendly_doctor.  Dr. Faust looks promising.  I'm wondering if the second commentor meant this doc: http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Lora_Schauer.  This is the other one mentioned in that post: http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Julie_Freeman.

Posting this for bloodofthefae and to see if anyone has heard of any of these doctors.

[DannysMomma]

New to the area, too - living an hour-point-five south of SPF in West Plains.  Hoping I can find something a little closer to home, but desperate for delayed-vax-friendly docs someone to treat our family's food allergy-related eczema at the root, rather than prescribing ointments.  We're uninsured at the moment, and I'm hesitant to file for state coverage lest I invite closer attention to my family for not vaccinating "the way you're supposed to".  Part of the reason for not vaxing is food-allergy-related.  Any suggestions would be welcomed.  We will drive up to an hour and a half if necessary.
(Thanks for the links, by the way).

[MadelinesMama]

DannysMomma--

I moved out of West Plains a few years ago, but we loved our doctor there. We used Dr. Bowles at Burton Creek Clinic (a family practice dr).  The Health Dept does vaccinations for free in West Plains, so most of the doctor's offices don't even do vaccines.  I always just told his nurse at Dr. Bowles' office that my child was receiving her shots at the Health Dept and was up to date.  I worked at the Health Dept at the time and never had a problem with delayed/selective vaxxing.  Of course that may have been because I knew the people giving the shots.  Dr. Bowles is one of those people that you either love or hate.  I loved him.  I found him to be an incredibly intelligent (but a little socially awkward) man who would actually listen to my concerns.  He was always asking me how I felt about things whether it be about my child or my own health.  I was always able to get into his office the same day for sick visits.  I really wish I could have brought him to Springfield with me when we moved! 

Also I'm pretty sure they do sliding scale fees for people that meet certain income requirements.  I remember seeing a sign about it at the receptionist's desk.

Edited by MadelinesMama - 8/23/12 at 10:06pm

[caitryn]

As another update, my son was officially diagnosed today as autistic (leaning toward the severe side).  Now, that just adds to the stress of finding a good doctor because we obviously need one who is "autism-friendly."  I know exactly who he should see in Mississippi, but that won't do us much good in a couple of days as we are moving this week.

I've already got things set up with their special education department up there, and I'm sure they could (and probably will) provide me with the necessary resources, but I'm the kind of person who likes to have all her ducks in a row before jumping into something new.  I've been told I'm too much of a planner. :)

There are just so many doctors in Springfield that it's hard to sift through them all. 

[MadelinesMama]

caitryn--Maybe this autism support group would have suggestions for you on an autism friendly dr.
 

[caitryn]

Thanks. I'm looking into them now. :)

[DannysMomma]

Thank you so much MadelinesMama!  This is the FIRST specific recommendation I've been able to get, aside from "Burton Creek," which was a good start. Really, thank you!

[Sharlla]

we have a local AP FB group if you want to shoot me a PM i can add  you, lots of local ladies could probably point you in the right direction
 

[MadelinesMama]

Originally Posted by DannysMomma 

Thank you so much MadelinesMama!  This is the FIRST specific recommendation I've been able to get, aside from "Burton Creek," which was a good start. Really, thank you!

 Hopefully he will be a good fit for you. 

[Hallel]

Dr. Beguin COX South is very natural and super supportive of natural birth and VBACs. Im with him now and he is cool with my VBA2C and he comes highly recommended as well as Tama Franklin in St Johns. Welcome to town!