Feedback on a VBAC with Gaye Koconis, midwives at North Shore Associates, and St. Francis Hospital

[chicago_mama]

Hello, I am new to MDC and this is my first post! We are beginning to plan for #2 and I very much want a VBAC. I had my first baby at Prentice, and, needless to say, it was everything I didn't want in a birthing experience. I am looking for a place that is supportive of natural childbirth, not medically interventionist, and nurturing. Does anyone have any current feedback on Gaye Koconis, the other midwives at North Shore Associates, and St. Francis?

I was very excited about West Suburban, but they stopped VBACs and it doesn't look like they will do them again...Thanks!

[acp]

I haven't had a VBAC, but I had my baby last year with Northshore Associates (Debi Lesnick, the other midwife there, delivered) at Evanston Hospital and had a GREAT experience. It was a long labor after broken water and posterior position that could have easily resulted in a non-emergency cesarean, and I totally credit Debi with the fact that it didn't. She never gave me ultimatums, or put pressure on me, and was so calm and supportive and helped me have exactly the kind of natural birth experience I wanted. I have a friend who has had two natural births with Gaye and loves her just as much. I would have felt comfortable with either one of them attending my birth, and liked the fact that it's a small practice so you can get to know both midwives well.

Sorry I can't tell you anything about how they approach VBACs, but I can wholeheartedly endorse the practice. Good luck!

[gjmommy]

I am having a VBAC with this practice at the end of the month and feel very confident with my decision. I had a c section with Dr. Saleh (their OB backup) four years ago due to breech presentation (my daughter flipped at 39 weeks)!

At my first appt. Gaye told me that they highly encourage a VBAC after one c section because they do feel it is safer than having repeat c sections. I met with Dr. Saleh about a month ago and he is confident that I am a great candidate.

I am delivering at Evanston because both Gaye and Debbie felt that since they attend more births there the staff is more comfortable with them. I do believe there are a couple other midwives who have priveledges there so in general I think the staff is used to midwife deliveries. I did have my daughter at St. Francis and loved it but felt this time I should go where my providers felt I would be more successful.

They do take two precautions once you are admitted: a heplock just in case and continuous external monitoring, which I was assured would still allow me to more around, take a shower and be in the birthing tub.

I just saw Debbie yesterday and still feel like a "normal" patient. I never get the feeling with either of them that VBAC is unusual or something to be scared about and they have NEVER suggested that I might just want to schedule another c section.

Hope that helps. I'll have to post again once this baby decided to make its appearance. Wish me luck!

[chicago_mama]

Thanks so much for your reply. Please keep me posted. I am meeting with Gaye next week to "interview" the practice since we are not pregnant yet. I kind of have my heart set on St. Francis but I will be open to their opinion. I found it comforting when I spoke to the receptionist on the phone and asked if they do VBACs she replied "oh, yes" without any hesitation or qualification. Good luck and I can't wait to hear the birth story if you are willing to share it!

[fiddledebi]

I had both my daughters with midwifery care from this practice. I love Debi!!! Gaye had just started after my DD2 was born, so I only saw her once for my 6 week postpartum care, but she seemed lovely and gentle.

I have a friend that had a VBAC at St. Francis with Debi, and also had a wonderful experience. Her labor and delivery were perfect and meaningful, and after the delivery when she had a postpartum hemorrhage, she could not believe how calm and together Debi was during what she learned later was a very scary situation. She said she didn't even realize while it was going on that it was that big a deal, since Debi was so cool and calm. Debi managed it beautifully, my friend was fine, and Debi still talks about that labor/delivery as the kind she feels privileged to have attended. Now that's not someone who loves her job!

St. Francis itself is a really nice place to have a baby. I've now delivered at both St. Francis (DD1) and Evanston (DD2), and much preferred St. Francis for my own care. I am still glad I had DD2 at Evanston, though, since she had multiple surprise issues and the level III NICU there is more equipped to deal with them than St. Francis is. I actually worry, since DD2 was an emergency C-section (truly needed - no question), that if I had been at St. Francis, she'd have been transferred to Evanston or Children's anyway, and I would have been stuck at another hospital. So, go with your gut on that...it's not an easy choice.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!