Duped by back up OB's office manager (her DH!)

[GatorNNP]

Well it looks like my planned homebirth may not be so homey after all. I went for my consultation visit with the OB who gives the okay for VBAC to be cared for by my LM, and her office manager (who is her husband as well) caught wind that she was backing up a homebirthing/VBAC midwife and basically forced her to change her mind--for insurance of course. But I wasn't informed of this until a week later.

So now here I am 31 weeks and shopping for a new provider. Hopefully my next best choice will accept me as a client- the CNM's at the community hosp. ARRRRRGh!!!!! Here's hoping for a precipitous accidental home delivery!

[alegna]

Your state requires an OB to sign off on a LM attended homebirth? Never heard of that- where are you, if you don't mind?

-Angela

[MamaTaraX]

That's a bummer! Our bakc-up OB backs up lots of midwives around here. He was happy to do it, thinks homebirth is fantastic. He even proudly told collegues about it and then his not lawyer but someone liek that...I forget what he's called. Anyway, this legal-type person busted a gasket. So now for him to back homebirths he has us sign this funky little paper thatbasically says homebirthis horribly unsafe and that we,as homebirthers, chose to dothis ourselves and we're responsible for our own actions. What's neat is at the top it basically says "Hi, I'm Dr. X...I think homebirth is totally awesome and respect your choice. HOwever, due to malpractice insurance, you have to sign this piece of paper. I'll still back you though and wihs you a great birth" (totally paraphrased). His malpracitice insurance wentup like 200%, btw, when they foudn out he backed homebirths.

Anyway, maybe your OB person would be willing to write out sucha paper for you and future people?

Namaste, Tara
mama to Doodle (7), Butterfly (2),and Rythm (due at home 1/06)

[GatorNNP]

I am in Fla. The statutes basically state based on risk assessment I have to have a collaborative OB work with my LM for her to continue to provide my care. The guy apparently called his insurance and so on and so forth, this was one of the last OBs in our area willing to still consult for home vbac.

I guess they are in a catch-22, midwife must consult with OB, who generally go by ACOG for fear of insurance loss/lawsuit, ACOG doesn't even support homebirth for anyone, much less VBAC attempts!

I can sort of understand the guy being scared of loosing his bread and butter, but I wish he would have just stayed out of it.

[alegna]

Hmm. Is there maybe a midwife who flies below radar and does vbac without OB consults?

good luck!

-Angela

[GatorNNP]

Update--I now have an appt. with Jane Houston a CNM who is doing VBAC with OB back up at a community hospital. Unfortunately this is not the hosp. I work at (I work at the other 2) so it may not feel as homey, but I think it will be doable. The OB who does them at the other hosp doesn't have the support of the OBs who share call so I think he may be more likely to push for early induction. We'll see how it goes, I know Jane from school, she is a nice person and I think I will be comfortable with her.

[alegna]

Does this mean you'll be stuck in a hospital? Or can you still homebirth? I wouldn't try a vbac in a hospital- I'd do whatever I had to to stay home.

good luck!

-Angela

[GatorNNP]

Yeah, I will be in a hospital. I think for me its not such a huge issue on the place but mostly the "who is with". I have worked in hospitals for years, I sleep at one during certain shifts, etc, I was very comfortable when I had the c/sec (not that I liked having it) but for me it was sorta like home, that just happens to be my circumstance. I am also fairly outspoken and know people who work at all of them. I would prefer to be at home, but I would also prefer to have one of these midwives I already know to be with me.

[massagemom]

i wish you all the best with your birth!

[alegna]

Good luck! Look carefully at the rate of vbac at the hospital- especially numbers from the last year or so if you can get your hands on them. And refuse all (and I mean ALL) interventions if you want to make it work.

-Angela

[MonicaS]

Oh that's terrible! At least you are positive about having to go the hosp route. Happy birthing!

I had my HBAC in FL. No one would back it up, so my midwife drafted something very similar to what MamaTara said, and I signed it. Would it hold up in court, who knows, but I knew my risks and that I wouldn't be suing her. I'm sure she felt the same way about me.

[GatorNNP]

This particular MW is 12 for 12 for the previous year successful VBAC attempts. My previous MW did offer to be my doula which I will probably take her up on, after my consultation visit I plan to call her. I am starting to feel a little better, however changing providers this late was pretty stressful.

[fourgrtkidos]

I am glad you are feeling better about this situation. It is good that you work in a hospital because then you feel at home in and can relax in the hospital. It isn't as foriegn a place to you as for most other women, KWIM? I think it is a great idea that your MW will be your doula, I bet you will have a fantastic VBAC!
Please, keep in touch. Are you working the 7th of Oct, a friday, so I can see your NICU?
Much Love,
Michelle