Natural-birth-friendly practitioner in Fresno/Clovis

[chefemilee]

Hi Mamas, I am 12 weeks pregnant and am moving this week to Fresno from the SF Bay Area.  I had lovely, drug-free births with my 2 sons at a hospital here in Berkeley with an OB, and I have no idea where to begin in Fresno.

Has anyone delivered at Clovis Community?  What is their attitude like toward natural birth?  I only have one friend who delivered there and said she was only allowed to stay in bed or sit in the rocking chair because of the monitors...no wonder she ended up with an epidural!  

Anyway, I would love to work with a CNM or OB who is just open to letting me do my labor thing without rushing things along.  I am also open to home birth, but we'll be at least 20 minutes from the hospital and that makes me nervous.  Has anyone worked with a great doula who helped them get the birth they wanted in the hospital?

Thanks for any recommendations or advice you can offer.

Emilee

[ErinMomma]

hello, i only know of a midwife, Detrah Hele, for the area, she knows about the hospitals too, four yrs ago when we lived there, she said the hospitals in Fresno had gone backwards in terms of natural birth friendliness, could be different now though, maybe contact her...

[chefemilee]

Thanks for responding.  I actually am meeting with Detrah next week, we may be leaning toward home birth after all.  Wish us luck!

[ErinMomma]

thats great! i had both my babies, dd 4 and ds 9 mths, unassisted, i know thats not for everyone! you will do very well i am sure, we women are made for this incredible act of birthing our babies into this world! :)