I have a friend that is due in early May w/her second baby. Her first was at a FSBC and she had a lovely some what fast birth. No issues that I'm aware of. The clinc has closed and she is not comfortable w/homebirth for a couple of reasons so she has elected to go w/a local OB and hospital birth. She isn't thrilled w/the idea of birthing in a hospital (especially one w/a 50% c-sec rate) but when she interviewed him, the OB gave all the right (if somewhat hesitant) answers so she isn't real concerned.
When we were chatting recently, she seemed very naive about the fact that many if not most OBs will placate a mom until the birth and then do whatever they want unless the mother puts up a fight.
I've encouraged her to get a doula, but it seems like I read recently that DONA has really limited what they can do w/respect to questioning an OBs orders or advice.
To be fair, I don't have information regarding this specific OB, but can't help but worry after her relating the conversation about not wanting an episiotomy, epidural or to birth on her back. OB kind of paused and said, "um, well okay.....just give me a birth plan to put in your file".
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So I guess my question would be, how do I educate her about what she might expect w/o scaring her? She has already decided to stay home until she is ready to push in hopes of minimizing interventions, but I know sometimes that doesn't work out as nicely as it sounds. I'd love to offer to be there as the "400# gorilla" but don't know how she might feel about that since we are not real close friends and birth is a pretty intimate/private time for me.
When we were chatting recently, she seemed very naive about the fact that many if not most OBs will placate a mom until the birth and then do whatever they want unless the mother puts up a fight.
I've encouraged her to get a doula, but it seems like I read recently that DONA has really limited what they can do w/respect to questioning an OBs orders or advice.
To be fair, I don't have information regarding this specific OB, but can't help but worry after her relating the conversation about not wanting an episiotomy, epidural or to birth on her back. OB kind of paused and said, "um, well okay.....just give me a birth plan to put in your file".
:So I guess my question would be, how do I educate her about what she might expect w/o scaring her? She has already decided to stay home until she is ready to push in hopes of minimizing interventions, but I know sometimes that doesn't work out as nicely as it sounds. I'd love to offer to be there as the "400# gorilla" but don't know how she might feel about that since we are not real close friends and birth is a pretty intimate/private time for me.
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