Moving to OKC/Altus Area

[sjccheerdoll]

Hello,

We're likely moving to the OKC or Altus area this summer post-wedding. I'm heartbroken to leave our wonderful family physician, as well as a wonderful CNM and an amazing CPM behind us as we move. (I wish I could take them with me!)

Please, throw information and recommendations at me! I'll be looking for a primary care physician, a pediatrician, a CPM/homebirth midwife (and any recommendations of CNMs or OBs are welcome, as my first was on the early side of things in a hospital birth center and I'd rather be prepared than not if I get risked out or transferred). We'll be TTC before the ink is even dry on our marriage license, so I'd like to have a general idea of who to call or interview prior to moving.

We:

- delayed/selective/no vax

- do not circumcise/do not RIC

- prefer to homebirth

- will be homeschooling

Thank you!

[mrshoobydoober]

There is a yahoogroup titled OKRadicalMothers (I *think* that's the correct title).  The majority of the ladies there are in the OKC area. 

As far as midwives go, there are several in the area:
Anne Coffee, Hands of Grace

Margarett Scott, Heaven Sent Birth

Community Midwifery Service

Susan Smartt

During certain times of the year I am able to travel to OKC for births.  

If, for some reason, a hospital birth is necessary, OU is where to be for a respected natural birth experience.  There are some great CNMs that work out of that hospital.  

There are TONS of homeschooling resources in OK!  :) 

Hope that helps some!

[dentonmidwife]

For midwives near Altus, I recommend Kasie Wilson-McElhenny.  Her # is 940-642-8317. I have attended several births with her in that area in the last year.  She is a good midwife and I have enjoyed working with her.
 

[tribalmax]

Hi there! Welcome to Oklahoma! :) We live in Norman so I am not very helpful about Altus. 

But I can tell you about OKC and Norman. I had my 2nd baby at OU med center. After a planned homebirth with my first that we had to transfer to the hospital for (this was in Montana) and I had severe postpartum hemmoraghing, I decided on a hospital birth for my 2nd. Anyway -- long story short, I had a beautiful, all natural water birth at OU. OU Med center is known for its wonderful CNMs around here. I used Anne Stewart -- but she has since retired. Lots of moms have had beautiful, natural births and water births there (they will tell you that you can't plan on a water birth but if you are in the tub they aren't going to make you get up I am told).

As far as homeschooling, there are lots of groups around here. Depending on what you are looking for -- there are religious and non-religious groups. Oklahoma is a super easy state to homeschool in. You don't have to do or prove anything to anyone. Around here, lots of people homeschool for religious reasons. If that is not what you are looking for, you will have a slightly harder time finding a secular group. But they are out there. :)

A friend and I started Norman Secular Homeschool Association about 5 years ago. It has grown LOTS since then and we have lots of activities going on. We also have a sister group in Edmond (called Edmond Secular Homeschool Association). 

Norman has a very active API and LLL group. There are also other LLL groups in OKC too. 

I don't know much about doctors in OKC. But I can tell you to be really careful with pediatric dentists. For some reason around here most of the dentists do not allow parents to be present during exams after the first visit. :( This boggles my mind and I never encountered this before moving here. 

Good luck with your move! Drop me an email if you end up in OKC. I have two kids (8 and 5), we are anti-vax,anti-circ and also homeschool. 

:)

Rachel