OB/Gyn care after homebirth

[rootzdawta]

I had a wonderful homebirth with my son 7 months ago. I had my first son in the hospital with CNMs who I've continued to use for my ob/gyn care. Recently, they've stopped accepting what my health insurance pays for certain things including IUDs and so I will have to find another ob/gyn who does and have her insert it. But I feel funny about how a med doctor (which is what it will have to be since that's what the HMO covers) will treat me knowing that I had a homebirth. I wonder if I will be regarded as some fringe, eccentric person, will she treat me well knowing that she will not have my business for any subsequent births (I intend to birth all future children at home). Ob/gyn is so personal. I know I don't want a male doctor so that significantly reduces my options. Should I just save up and pay for the IUDs out of pocket and have the CNMs that I'm comfortable with and trust put it in? Any experiences?? TIA.

[Meredith&Alexander]

I see a Gyn who doesn't do OB work anymore, and I don't think anyone at that office has ever asked much about where I had my babies. I don't dwell on it, since it's not what I'm there for, and I never feel like it's made a difference in my care.

[mytwogirls]

I work for my Ob/Gyns (husband and wife practice) and we see patients come in from home births and it is no big deal at all. They don't take it personally and they are very helpful, but they are not your typical Obs either: pro-breastfeeding, no formula hand-outs, breast feeding classes available and so on. I would think a gyno would be fine with it.

[Kim919]

It's hard to find an OB around here who even attends births. Apparently its getting harder & harder to get the right insurance. You may be suprised to find its true in your area too.

I had a terrible experience with an OB a few months before I got pregnant (They were catholic and failed to put that on the plaque below their name even though it was actually very important because they gave me holy he** for being sexually active though I am not married and being on hormonal birth control)

Anyways, I was so upset that they took such aim at my personal values and I was scared to see another OB, so I thought "where can I go where I won't get stuck with judgemental assholes?" Planend Parenthood. The doctors & nurses there are always supportive & helpful. When I was in school I got my own car & licence the second I turned 16 while most of my friends didn't. I was always driving my friends for appointments. They should have paid me a commission. They also have probably more experience then anybody at placing IUD's, and with a procedure like that experience counts.

I know a lot of people have a negative opinion towards the place, but they will bill any insurance company so its not like your tapping into assistance that is designed for the needy. In contrast your actually helping the system by paying for services.

[My*Scorpio]

Perhaps you can find another practice w/ CNMs in it?

[rootzdawta]

Thanks ladies. I guess it's not a serious as I was making it out to be. I'll just find an ob/gyn close by then and hopefully, I'll like her. Thanks again!

[SublimeBirthGirl]

Will they even ask where you had your baby? I don't really mind being fringe, and the more I can debate stuff the happier I am But it seems unlikely they'd bring up where you had your baby considering you're there for BC & not pregnancy-related stuff.

[akaisha]

something has been confusing me lately, in the states, do you actually go to gyns for things like PAPs, etc? i'm in canada and have only seen nurse practitioners and GPs for things like pelvic exams, etc. a gyn is considered a specialist that you can access after a referral from your GP/ND where i am. it's also really rare for kids to actually see peds and ped-dentists where i live too...usually only for special cases.

anyway, i just remembered this because if i did have an OB they would just be an OB not an OB/GYN, and therefore wouldn't do post-natal care like an IUD or something. which makes sense to me since OB and GYN are totally different from each other (except for the obvious mama connection).

can someone explain?

[kerikadi]

I saw a OB/GYN a couple of years ago for a regular PAP after 2 homebirths and she didn't bat an eye when I told her.
After I had my first homebirth I saw a different OB (male) and he gave me the surprised look and his nurse was impressed but nothing negative was said.
There really is nothing to worry about.

[CanidFL]

Amber - it's all about the $$$ here. As you know, I grew up in Canada and going to an OB was something I never thought of. Here, it's the only thing my insurance pays for

OP - I just went to an OB after having a homebirth for my yearly pap. He was cool with it. Asked a few questions about it. I didn't feel judged at all and he said he will be happy to see me next year. Easy peasy.

[Kitten]

I've never gone to OB/GYN for a physical, or a pap, or any kind of regular, well-person care. I've gone to family practice or internal medicine. I figure, my body is so much more than "just" gynecology, YK? (I don't feel like I am explaining very well)

[~Megan~]

I doubt they will know unless you tell them.

[Shelsi]

Originally Posted by ~Megan~

I doubt they will know unless you tell them.

: The only reason my OB knew I had a homebirth was because I had to actually go to him when I was 20 weeks prego to get a colposcopy done. It was a little weird, because he was just confused why I was his patient, 20 wks along, and he'd never seen me yet lol. Then he was just interested about it, he obviously knew nothing about homebirth, he didn't even know midwives in this state were licensed to attend them.

After the baby I had to go back to him for a follow up pap and he didn't remember at all. Again he only found out because I mentioned I was breastfeeding and a bit engorged before he did the breast exam. Again he was confused...you could tell he was trying to figure out why he couldn't remember me or delivering my baby lol.

[RosieCheeks]

I'd be surprised if an OB even asked where/how your kids were born.

I see a family practice doctor for my gyn. needs. I like that better than an OB b/c OB's (at least around here), are always booked solid for well-woman visits and stuff like that. I can usually see my fam.practice doctor within a day or 2 notice.

In fact I have been seeing my family practice doctor throughout my pregancy, since my MW's can't write prescriptions, and I had a couple sinus infections and needed treatment. She's never once asked me why I come to her instead of my prenatal caregiver.