I have no clue why I went with an OB this pregnancy rather than going the same route as the last two, and using a midwife. Perhaps it was the fact I was convinced that I wanted my epidural started in my first trimester. Perhaps it was just curiosity. Perhaps it was the sitcom like last name of the doctor. I don’t know, but man, this experience has been TOTALLY different!
I really like the doctor. She’s sweet, young, just had her own baby 7 months ago and I felt generally comfortable around her. The thing is, I’ve done this before. No actually, I’ve done this having a baby thing twice before. I’ve researched the ENTIRE spectrum of child birthing. I started wanting a home water birth, no interventions, no sonograms, just totally natural. Well that didn’t happen, so in the process I learned a ton about the common practice of c-sections, emergency c-sections, vaginal births after c-sections (VBAC), and all of the associated risks. As a nurse, I know about what’s normal and abnormal anyways and I’m familiar with the meds and the TRUE risks associated with them.
Soooooooo….. When Dr. cool name and I had the following conversation yesterday, I lost a lot of confidence in her and decided that a Dr. isn’t going to get me the birth I want.
Dr. Coolname - (finishing up her exam) So, looks like you are the perfect pregnant woman. No risks, right on schedule with uterine measurement and weight gain. Any questions?
Me: You sent me for a level 2 ultrasound last week because of the risk related to moms on Prozac. The Radiologist didn’t seem to know anything about that risk and had to research it before he could even consult with us at the apt. What did you find valuable from the U/S results?
Dr. Coolname - I wasn’t expecting anything abnormal ONE study showed that sometimes women on Prozac have babies that have a pulmonary problem at birth. Nothing more than that, no need to be alarmed.
Me: So in your opinion you feel it’s totally safe for me to continue on the drug? Because I couldn’t find ANY studies on it.
Dr. Coolname - Yes, you can continue on the med. I just have to cover all of my basis you know?
Me: I understand and appreciate that (Thinking- man it must suck to be a doctor and constantly have to order tests and procedures just out of fear of malpractice suits). This is my other thing; I’ve decided that I do want to VBAC naturally again this time. I don’t want an epidural.
Dr. Coolname - Hmmmm, I advise ALL my VBAC’s to get an epidural. Just in case. That way we have meds on board and are ready to go. There’s that risk of Uterine rupture and we just want to be safe.
Me: ( The “risk” is ridiculously small AND fatality or harm from it even smaller ). Aren’t I required legally to VBAC in a hospital because of the necessity of emergency equip?
Dr. Coolname - Yes, that’s right
Me: So wouldn’t an epidural be on stand by anyway?
Dr. Coolname - Yes, but it’s easier to have it through the labor anyways
Just between you and me….that’s crap! An epidural takes like what, 3 minutes? And as a VBAC I’m required to have an anesthesiologist on stand by just for me, so there isn’t even a risk of delay. AND last time I VBAC with my midwife she told me that an epidural could slow things down and the risk of my need for another c-section goes up! So I felt like my OB was just feeding me crap info, knowing that it makes her job safer, but the procedures ARE NOT NECESSARY!!!!
Then I thought, well, maybe Dustin and I can just labor on our own, forget the OB’s desires. They usually only come in to catch anyways. But then I remembered scary nurse and how I was screaming for an epidural last time and the only reason I didn’t get one was because my midwife lied to me (thank you Donna!) and said it was on it’s way, when in fact they had never called for it!
Me: I really don’t want an epidural.
Dr. Coolname: Let’s talk about it again on labor day.
Me: (What the crap! You know I’ll give in then! That’s totally manipulation!)
Sooo…I’m going back to my midwife. Only problem is, she’s not at the same practice and I can’t find her!
(Ram-a-liar image courtesy of Wacky Packages)
7 Comments
If you called the practice would they tell you where she is? When I had Carter I finally asked for the epidural because I could no longer fight the urge to push. I got it, she checked me I was a 10, and my labor slowed down! I was pissed.
Sorry for you having to go through all that, but it seems as though we are having similar experiences. I guess I should ask about not getting an epidural because after what you posted I kinda think it’s going to be the same response. I checked though and there are no midwives that my insurance will cover so I’m pretty much stuck. I really hope that I can get the birth I want this time around! Keep us posted about how the search for your midwife goes!
Hi Mary,
As a woman who is five months pregnant with her first child (in the Phoenix area), I gotta make sure I understand this: you DON’T want an epidural? I mean, I know many women opt out for various reasons. I was just curious about your reasons. I may not be able to get one due to blood thinners that I have to inject myself with daily - apparently they don’t play well with epidurals, depending on when I go into labor. But I desperately want one!
Good for you for switching! I am at an OB (again), though I’m not totally crazy about it. It’s not that I don’t trust doctors, though I have totally run into the same thing where they push you toward something just because it’s easier… for them. Not necessarily because it’s the best/healthiest choice. Anyway, despite all that, I had a quick, easy, great hospital delivery and am hoping for the same this time.
BTW, I have a friend who is a midwife in Chandler if you want her contact info. She only does homebirths, though… I think.
I didn’t mean that to sound anti-OB, I just meant good for you for sticking up for what you want.
I don’t blame you. If I didn’t love my OB so much I’d probably have tried to fine a midwife. My OB is not normal though…he’s a D.O. instead of an M.D. and seems to be much more into the natural and whole body way of doing things. Of course, he didn’t try to make me not get the epidural when I had Lila…but he lets me make my own decisions. I feel very lucky to have found an OB that isn’t trying to force me into a c-section with these twins. Anyway, you go find that midwife of yours before it’s too late!!
DR’s…. I just love how they cover their asses with our lives, (and so many times the lives of our children) at stake. Aaaahhhhh JUST LOVE IT!