What would you do?

[Sydnee]

Ok, with my girls I had an AWESOME OB, he took the time every visit to actually visit for about 15 minutes before even talking about the pregnancy, just made me feel that I was very important to him, and he always listened to my grievances. :LOL The hospital is your average hospital, no birthing tubs, very little to help with a non-medicated labor and delivery. I also was not very educated like I feel I am now, and had epidurals with both girls. Both times I waited as long as I could and was lucky to give birth shortly after having the epi.(Like, why couldn't I just do without??? : ) ANYWAY, I have an appt. with a midwife, which I am excited about. The drawbacks is that I won't have my OB, the hospital I will give birth in is an hour (at least) away. The good thing is that they have birthing suites, with jacuzzi tubs in each room. I am BOUND AND DETERMINED to have a non-medicated labor and delivery this time. What would you do, the hospital with an OB you LOVE, or a hospital an hour away with a midwife???

Sorry for the book, ladies :

[gabry]

I would say it depends on a few things, like
- are you likely to make it on time to the farther hospital and deal with the ride okay?
- how much value do the amenities have to you?
- how likely would you be to have an unmedicated birth with the ob? Is he at least open to the idea?
- do you think you and your dh (or friend, mother, whoever would be there with you) would be able to work through labor together and resist possible pressures for an epidural?
I had a hospital birth with an ob with ds, and she was open to unmedicated deliveries, but not particularly so. No tubs or anything either. Anyways, I had a different ob during delivery, and found that the nurse was the more important person for support. Aside from dh, of course, who was my major source of comfort and support. Like you, I was bound and determined to have an unmedicated birth (but open to possible changes, after all, unlike you I'd never done this before), and I did it - and was soo proud of myself
Good luck with your decision, let us know..

[CarolynnMarilynn]

I would also look at a comparison of the other services you can expect from both, like the postpartum care. I know where I am that the postpartum care and support from a midwife is miles apart from the (lack of) postpartum care from an OB. I liked the breastfeeding support, the ability to page her with any questions, and the advice that I got from my midwife, especially around tricky breastfdding issues I encountered. I would have been on my own with an OB. Saying that, a big part of women's satisfaction with her obstetrical care provider is in her relationship, so if you are happy with the guy that is a big deal. Does he rotate call with other OBs, or will be be there for sure? Familiarity with my care provider was a big deal to me.

Carolynn

[Throkmorton]

I am having a similar debate. I am trying for a VBAC and can either choose my OB who I have been dealing with for months, who is open to at least letting me try for a natural birth, or driving 2 hours to have a midwife-attended birth. The hospital that the OB has privleges at is 4 blocks from my house.
At this second, I am leaning towards the OB and a doula who will also provide PP support. Last night, I was fully prepared to take the greyhound back and forth to prenatal appointmets 2-2.5 hours away (which would have cost me $55 each time)

[Sydnee]

Thanks so much ladies for your advie! My OB is totally accepting of having a nonmedicated birth. It's just everytime he came in and saw how much pain I was in, he would recommend the epi. : I guess we'll see what next Thursday brings when I meet my midwife for the consultation. Thanks again!!

[Naughty Dingo]

You might want to look into getting a kick Ass doula to help you and DP through the labor. For me, it isn't so much where I am physically as I labor, but where I am in my head. A doula can be of wonderful assistance.

If it were me, I would discuss your plans with your OB who you trust and like. If he is supportive of the type of birth you would like and you can find a great doula, then I would go that route. Good, trustworthy medical practitioners are hard to find. Also, take prenatal yoga, that will help you train for labor. Both the physical poses, and the work of sustaining the poses are good practice for the work that needs to be done to get through contractions.

Good luck, just follow your instinct and gut reactions to the vibes you get from everyone.

ND