Recommendations for hospital birthing midwifes or ob's in Southern VA?

[gabysmom617]

I keep having not so great experiences with the practice I go to right now. I'm looking at the possibility of finding other care elsewhere. I can go probably as far north as Richmond, east as Suffolk. Any good experiences with hospitals or birthing centers would be great. I just need a little help.

[mamabohl]

I know a CNM who practices in Newport News I *think.* I need to contact her, then I'll get back to you. I've never used her, I just know her personally, but she nursed her two kids for 4 years and 4.5 years (and nursed during pregnancy and tendem nursed) and does a few other AP/natural things...so she's probably better than most OB's, lol.

[gabysmom617]

Thanks anyway. I"m not sure if I'd be able to drive all the way to Newport news on a regular basis. Gosh, i wish I still lived over that way. Thanks anyway though. I'm thinking that I'll probably have to deal with the people I got and pray that the one ignoramus that I don't want is not on call *should* I end up having an emergency or something...

[nerdymom]

where exactly are you gabysmom?

[gabysmom617]

I'm in Emporia VA. I was planning to birth with the closest midwives I can find in South Hill, VA. The hospital here in Emporia doesn't have a maternity ward. I hear the local ob sends people to Franklin a lot, and I've not heard many good stories from recent birthing moms from Franklin.

So I was going to try for South Hill since it's midwives there. The only thing is, if I have any issues that make them have to call for a Doctor, I risk the chance of the doctor being on call being one that I don't particularly care for. There are two doctors. One I haven't met but heard lots of good things about. I met the other one, and I'm just REALLLLLY not wanting him to be at my birth. He's not gentle and VERY not forthcoming with information. So I was worried that i might end up with him should something happen, because that's how my luck tends to run.

There also giving me grief because I'm "measuring larger than my dates" so I have to have a third ultrasound. I got out of the (third) glucose test, but I'm going to have to prick my fingers and test my blood sugar for the rest of my pregnancy. Oh well.

I'm starting to not have the greatest feeling about this place. I like the two midwives though, so I'm not sure. I'm just worrying a lot. I'm thinking about hiring a doula.

[beautyful]

I don't know if you have Farmville in mind, but I haven't heard anything really positive come out of there natural-birth-wise.

[gabysmom617]

Farmville is an hour further away from me than South hill is anyhow.. I'm wondering about petersburg. I don't know maybe i should just drive to richmond? Or chesterfield? I dunno. I. HATE. IT. HERE.

[mtnjeni]

I'm not exactly sure how far this would be for you, but I loved Dr. Roberts in Blacksburg. He's not a midwife, but my doula was quite impressed with how he let the birth go at its own pace.

[suprgrl]

In Lynchburg Virginia Baptist Hospital has one of the lowest C-section rates among hospitals in the state.. 26%, but that beats the states average which is about 32%... some hospitals are as high as 48%!! I have a list of the rates in all VA hospitals if you want to pm me. I had a good labor experience at VA Baptist in Lynchburg. Dr. Baker with Women's Health Services the is good.. CPMs in the area like him too. Maracini (sp?) in that practice is good, too. I have a friend who had a 23 hour drug-free natural birth there at VA Baptist. You do get whatever Dr is on call when you go into labor. And they are used to giving 80% of women epi's, but I labored for 8 hours there with dim lights, freedom of movement, and freedom to drink...
Have you looked at www.birthmattersva.org? They may be able to help you out more... There are chapters all over the state.. Richmond, Lynchburg, VA Beach etc. I run a Farmville chapter. You can pm me.

Ronna

[gabysmom617]

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I"m going to do a mapblast to see exactly how far all of these places are away from me.

[gabysmom617]

Blacksburg is 4 hours away.

Lynchburg is 2 hours away; which is a bit much to have to start traveling once a week in the last weeks of my pregnancy.

I live in the middle of nowhere.