Made the Switch

Since my last failed epidural with Emily, I have been thinking about what I would do for any subsequent births. I knew I wanted to go the natural route and just assumed I would continue with my doctor (or, another doctor in the area). The more I thought about it, though, the more I realized that natural childbirth in a hospital setting is not what I want. I don't want to have to fight to be comfortable (i.e., not having an IV, being able to use the shower/tub, not having continuous monitoring, etc). Even if my doctor is totally supportive of my choices, there is no guarantee I will have my doctor at delivery and I would be dealing mostly with the nurses, which can be hit or miss. I would also like to skip the 48 hr hospital stay my doctor requires after delivery, as long as baby and I are both healthy.

So, after a lot of research and discussion between Kyle and I, we decided to make the switch to a birth center run by three CNMs (certified nurse midwives). I met several of the office staff and one of the midwives last week and am very excited about continuing my care with them. Some friends of ours that we met through Kyle's work delivered their first son 2+ years ago at the birth center and had a great experience. They are now planning a home birth for their baby due in April with the same midwives. Their positive experiences really help to alleviate any fears we might have.

The birth center has 3 exam rooms and 2 delivery rooms, each equipped with a tub to labor/deliver in. The delivery rooms have full/queen size beds, instead of the standard hospital bed. They also have the ability to perform NSTs, ultrasounds, and routine testing (such as the glucose tolerance test at 28 weeks). They even have a movie room to sit in for the hour between drinking the sugar drink and having the blood work done. There is also a kitchen to be used for delivery, as they allow and encourage you to eat/drink during labor.

We also found out that they will be able to monitor me if/when I need it for preterm labor and they have the capability in their office to give me IV fluids and terbutaline, if necessary, to stop any contractions that come my way. The birth center is very close to a hospital if a transfer is needed any point before, during, or after labor. If necessary, they also refer patients to the same high risk group I am already seeing, so I have the option to continue my care with them, as well. Another big plus is that the average stay after delivery at the birth center is 3 hours, assuming all went well with labor/delivery and mom and baby are doing well.

My first appointment with the birth center is tomorrow and I'm excited to get to meet another one of the midwives and for Kyle to see the birth center for the first time. It is fairly small and in a strip center type location, but they are in the process of building a new facility set to be completed in July. So, who knows, I *might* get to be one of the first to deliver in the new facility.