help with questions for new OB @ 34wks???

[scrappingmom]

I"m going to be starting to see a new OB(3 technicly) at 34 weeks.. also with a new hospital than i'm use to.

This is my 5th birth, you'd think i'd have ALL the questions figured out... but i'm so brain dead right now, balancing 5 kids, homeschooling a very difficult one... preparing to move to a home with no real water or electricity, just hose and extention cord, and i've been sick most of the pregnancy(just found out it is due to water contamination,bacterial and parasitic, and toxic molds in teh house we're renting.. nice huh?!...anyway)

so.. i'd love some help in making sure i'm covered on making sure i've asked what i should AND more so probably.. that I inform the doc of my stances on everything.. at teh other hospital they know where i stand and dont push it.. but I HATE the hospital they are WAY to medicalized in there mindsets, they TRY to behave for me but not enough.

I've been induced 6 times with 4 kids.. long stories.. as much as i hate it i DO feel it was needed each time.. hoping to go entirely natural and presenting wishes and plan accordingly even though i know that odds are i'll wind up induced again.

in brief(so not as detailed as the list i have) i have
standard testing, vaginal exams before hospital? when do they like starting?
knowledge of labor encouragements i guess(cohosh's, RRL, EPO,pressure point/massage etc) support or not?
how far "overdue" before they start talking induction/c-section
Hospital standards
IV
PIT after delivery
monitoring
moving/showering/birth tub etcetc
common interventions, at what points are they brought up
standard procedure w/baby right after birth
when clamp
tests/drops/shots(decline all anyway but best to know)
baby wisked away or time to bond first
what blood work do they do for mom and baby while in hospital.

Of course i'm looking at best case answers but will also find out about procedures in case of other situations coming up. i guess i want to make sure i know about all the things i'm going to tell them they can just forget about! lol

Also i'll be asking how the hospital staff comprehend and deal with patients who dont vax, or circ, co-sleep, cloth diaper, gonna go for natural anything before going with medical.. just so i know what i'm up against.

Part of the reason i CHOSE to make these changes this late, other than the doc i have just totally leaving me out of the loop on everything and hating my previous 2 births with him(1 didnt know better, 2nd not by choice, out of necesity ) This hospital is known to be FAR more family friendly, family is encouraged to be involved thru any and all phases of birthing process, bed in recovery rooms are big enough for dad to snuggle in too if desired, this is the hospital the 2 good MW in the area deal(t) with one moved away So i dont think i'll have much troubles BUT i'm preparing for it so i dont get blindsided.. KWIM???

Any additions, opinions etc would be wonderful! Like i said i'm brain dead:

Thanks

[Jilian]

Good for you for leaving your current OB and looking for one that supports your wishes! Your list is good, I'd also add questions about episiotomies - does he do them? I think it would be good for you to go in with a birth plan with your specific desires and ask him what he thinks about it. That might be better than asking him what he likes to do, because you should be in control of the birth - not him.

Good luck and I hope it goes well! It sounds like you've got your bases covered.

[OTMomma]

I'd add asking about episiotimies- something I really don't want. Otherwise your list looks good- I hope this new OB is great for you!

[scrappingmom]

oh my gosh.. cant believe i never considered asking about episiotamy.. it was never a thought with my other 4..lol.. see why i need other brains to help?! lol

I"m working up my birthplan, just feeling like i need to have sssooo many details with not knowing what "standard" is, i dont want to have it fulll of stuff that is like. well duh.. especially since i picked the hospital FOR the reputation of being much more naturally minded than most.. KWIM?

i'm 100% at peace about my decision.. just a little worried that being in a new relm i'll forget about something imortant and have stress added at teh worst possible time casue of it... preggy hormones probably playing a huge roll ATM...

[saratchka]

Your list looks good. I'd only change a couple things.

I don't think I'd ask about natural labor encouragement. I'd just talk about at what point and under what circumstances the doc feels that inducement is necessary. Same with C-sections.

And I'd try hard to frame my questions as neutrally as possible. The very fact that you're asking these questions is probably an indication of your feelings on the issues, but if you ask "What are the circumstances under which you do episiotomies?" rather than "I don't want an episiotomy. What's your episiotomy rate?" you're more likely to get an honest answer.

You might also want to ask who will be involved in the delivery, and who would be covering if he/she is, for some reason, not available.

[momof2girls1boy]

hey, are you in southern maine? what hospital are you going to? and can i ask what's your new ob's name? i'm only asking b/c i live in southern maine,i'm going again to smmc ,awesome birth suites and they are fantastic as far as breastfeeding goes!sooo supportive AND the lactation consultant comes to visit you at home forFREE!! i'm also curious about the ob b/c i think mine is the best ever and i'm wondering if you are lucky enough to have acquired her! sorry in advance if i'm being to nosy feel free to let me know if it's none of my business!
theresa