Guest guest Posted June 1, 2004 Report Share Posted June 1, 2004 Hey guys. This amateur 1st timer has a question for you all. Who can " assist " us during childbirth? I have an OB, I was wondering if I can hire an objective medical professional to help me & dh make decisions. Someone who knows the precise definition of fetal distress, maternal exhaustion etc etc & can help us decide whether to keep trying or to go for c-section, for instance. Someone to be there during the different staff shifts. & to monitor the meds etc. & are these professional services covered by insurance? WlsMomma EDD 12/20/04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 I have never heard of it so i do not know. I never knew there was any need for it since your ob makes the call and he has taken care of you all this time. God Bless, Robin, NorthEastern, NY Age- 41 EDD- July 27th, 2004 IT'S A BOY!!!!!! Mommy to: & (twin boys 8 years), Madison, daughter, 5 years and Wife to Pup 15 years (October 31, 1988) Gastric Bypass Surgery- October 18th 2002 Start-378, current- 246(pregnant) goal 170 after baby It's a BOY!!!!! Emerson Roger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Unless there is an emergency situation which is very rare (prolapsed cord, placenta abruptia, etc), your OB does NOT make the call...YOU make the call. Soderblom CCCE CD(DONA) CLD Student Midwife - Mesa, AZ CAPPA Board of Directors Doula/CBE/Pregnancy/Birth Photography Owner: Birth Story Diaries - real births, real photos http://www.birthdiaries.com Owner: SouthwestDoulas.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 LET ME STATE: EACH STATE/CITY IS DIFFERENT, EVERY HOSPITAL IS DIFFERENT, EVERY OB CARE PROVIDER IS DIFFERENT. That being aid, there are doula's and midwives that can assist you. You should check with your OB as some midwives are employed with the OB's and others are independent contractors. You shoul also check with the L&D floor of the hospital that you plan on delivering at (if indeed you wish to deliver with the nearest technological advancement in neonatal medicine close by). Some hospitals will not let independent contractors come in and " take over " so to speak. You can choose whomever you wish to " help, comfort or assist you " during your birth, but when it comes time for delivery, it's up to the legally contracted person at that facility to deliver your child in as safe a manner as possible. If your facility doesn't recognize doula's as primary care providers (ours doesn't), you will have a nurse that is employed by the hospital in and out of your room for 8-12 hours each shift. It's required by law. You can't refuse A nurse, because Dr's can't deliver without them (well, they could, but I have yet to ever see an OB dry and wipe the baby completely, resuscitate it if necessary, do footprints, record all birth information which in turn goes on your birth certificate, give your pitocin, massage the fundus of your uterus, bathe you afterwards,etc etc etc. At our hospital, the midwives we have aren't independent contractors, but employees of the physician's. They do not actively participate in the laboring process. They do check in on the patient more often then OB's, but by no way are they in the room any longer than they have to be before they go off to the mall or out for lunch, b/c they know we know how to check, monitor progress and call if/when we need them- and they must always have an OB backing them up. (the mall is close, so that's a plus- lol). anyway, I hope I have helped you and not confused you more. I don't know much about doulas, because our hospital does not recognize them. You can have anyone you want coming in to " help " you during thsi difficult time, but you will have hospital assigned personnel caring for you, not an outside, independent contractor (hospital policey-legal ramifications- you abide by them or find another hsopital/care provider to deliver you). The midwives associated with our hospital, leave the nursing up to the nurses and come in at the end to do the delivery. The only thing is they are usually much more willing to work with a patient rather than " just do a c-section " . Some of the time, this has been a good thing for the patient, some of the times, it's been a very bad thing. Again, every place, patient, hospital and care provider is different. Its a good thing you are asking these questions early on. The best place I would suggest you ask and look is to your primary careprovider and then the labor and delivery unit at the hospital you plan on giving birth. As far as the medications are concerned, I tell my patients exactly what I am giving them before I give it and always ask if they are allergic to anything and usually describe the action of the drug and why they are getting it. Ask your Dr beforehand what medicines is he likely to order so you can research them before going to the hospital (more information beforehand helps some and makes others worry more- depends upon the type person you are). There are side effects and risks to every medication ever made (including tylenol and baby aspirin) so it's best to not fret over this too much b/c if you don't need it, most likely it wont be ordered and if it is, it's more of a benefit than a risk to you. If you plan a homebirth, forget everything I just typed, and pray you live close enough to the hospital " in case " something goes awry. Sheila L&D/NICU RN p.s. the care provider you describe wouldn't be covered by most insurances since it is more " icing on the cake " than you need to deliver safely and healthily. That is my opinion based on what I've seen and worked with for years. The best person to ask would be the number on the back of your insurance card since everyone is amazlingly different in what they will and will not cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 WLS MOMMA, (sorry I do not know your real name) If you live in or around Mesa Arizona, (a member in here) is a doula.midwife student who would be more than happy to share her information that you are wanting with you. Sheila Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 A doula does not make decisions for her client...she doesn't tell her client what to do or even make suggestions about what she thinks the mom should or shouldn't do. A doula is there for support and education only....all birth decisions are 100% up to mom. A midwife is a care provider...she would be there INSTEAD of an OB and would serve the same purpose an OB serves (unless a cesarean is necessary, as an OB is a surgical specialty and midwifery is not). What it sounds like she's asking for is two care providers...? My big cringe in reading her original message was because there sounds like there is a huge lack of trust between her and her care provider. Why does she feel the need to have a second care provider on hand for decisions...does she not trust the care she's receiving with her primary care provider? If not..then she should find a new care provider, not hire someone to watch over her PCP's shoulder and double check any suggestions made. If she doesn't trust him/her...she should hire someone else. If she does trust him/her....then why does she want to hire someone to double check medical decisions? if she's wanting someone there to explain what's going on...someone there for non-clinical care...a doula could be exactly what she's looking for. but for double checking medical decisions? absolutely not....all decisions are always made by the parents, period. Soderblom CCCE CD(DONA) CLD Student Midwife - Mesa, AZ CAPPA Board of Directors Doula/CBE/Pregnancy/Birth Photography Owner: Birth Story Diaries - real births, real photos http://www.birthdiaries.com Owner: SouthwestDoulas.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 In a message dated 6/2/2004 4:58:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time, brideandgroom2001@... writes: So sorry, my profession kinda makes me suspicious & wary by nature;-) But I AFFIRM that my OB will be an empathetic practitioner! WlsMomma (aka ) ----------------------- .... EVERYONE should be aware of thier birth rights and the patient rights.. etc. I do hope you have a good repport with your OB. If you don't like the first visit... chances are you won't like any future ones. I can tell you it is much easier to find a new OB in the beginning.. rather then in the later weeks... I know I tried at 25 weeks to switch OB " s... not one would take me because I was under OB care.. by a very REPUTABLE practice... REputable my big butt! If I wasn't high risk.. I would be at the midwives door... however.. I do have a great high risk doctor who I actually like.. AND she herself is a WLS patient.. out 1 year!! Did I not LUCK OUT??? Of course it is always a good idea to have a Birth Plan all done up and given to your provider.. .. what you want.. what you don't want... heck.. get it notorized. ::: evil grin :::: Have to tell you.. after my last birth experience... I am not looking foward to this one. Long story.. not to scare ya... but I am a bit paranoid. Now.. if I can find an anestesiologist whom I can trust... otherwise.. put me out!!! (repeat C Section) - Mommy to: Noah - 10/14/02 - 31 weeker - 3lbs 11 oz Deanna Marie or Jonah due November 18th - 2004 http://www.love-my-kids.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 Hey Sheila, 1st off, so sorry about the devastation caused by the floods:-( Thanks I have lots to ruminate about now,hehehe. I'll have to check with both hospitals I may give birth in(we won't know ahead of time). A friend of mine is an ER nurse in a trauma center, she's willing to informally hang out during the birth. I'll check with my OB Friday regarding the details, it'll be my 1st time meeting him. 4 weeks ago I met with the NP for the preliminary tests etc. Thanks again. WlsMomma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 2, 2004 Report Share Posted June 2, 2004 , no need to cringe. I haven't met my OB yet. Not to mention that since I'm a paralegal, I've (unfortunately!!!) studied way too much birth injury lawsuits. Too many instances where moms were NOT autonomous decision makers. So I'm,eternally, on a fact/opinion finding mission, when it comes to my most precious possession, my bee-bee. Thanks for the reassurance regarding parent's 'power' during l & d, what a relief. So sorry, my profession kinda makes me suspicious & wary by nature;-) But I AFFIRM that my OB will be an empathetic practitioner! WlsMomma (aka ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 I am new to the group, but I thought I would add my opinion. I am a L&D nurse. I used to teach childbirth preparation classes. The advice given on this topic is wonderful. One thing I always stressed to my students is that when you go to the hospital I as the nurse can tell you what we (the patient & I) will do for this birth...OR they (the patient) can tell me what they want for their birth experience and I will do my best to accomodate their wishes. Birth plans aren't a bad thing...but most of the nurses I work with laugh when they see them and say... " well, what time shall we schedule the C-section " . This attitude irritates me, but I can't change their opinion. I would tell my students they need to understand what it is they are requesting in a birth plan...somethings aren't realistic. For example to say " I don't want an episiotomy no matter what " is silly. Most doctors don't do episiotomies for fun or practice. Does everyone need one? NO...Is it better to tear? It is a matter of opinion. I encouraged the students to understand what the pros and cons were of every choice they make. Good luck with your pregnancy. Az WLS 8-18-03 330/200.5 elfanie@... wrote: your OB does NOT make the call...YOU make the call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 In a message dated 6/3/2004 3:57:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time, brideandgroom2001@... writes: Hmmmm, if you're having a scheduled c-section, can you possibly interview one or two of their anesthesiologists in advance? WlsMomma (aka ) EDD 12/20ish/04 ------------------------------- You BET I will!!! Of course.. I am 60lbs lighter now... and I am 16 weeks preggo... I expect to keep losing slowly... but OMG... I wanted to KILL my anesthesiologist! The morphine was nice tho.. I am still considering going completely OUT... - Mommy to: Noah - 10/14/02 - 31 weeker - 3lbs 11 oz Deanna Marie or Jonah due November 18th - 2004 http://www.love-my-kids.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Hi . From your previous posts, I can see why you're apprehensive, you had PROM, right... Childbirth is my ONE & only fear. We definitely have to be proactive, even more than going for our gastric bypasses. You're right, I shouldn't hesitate to follow my intuition, & if I get weird vibes---change docs asap. This guy was recommend by an incredible & ethical bariatric surgeon. & I heard he has GB mom experience, alright! Hmmmm, if you're having a scheduled c-section, can you possibly interview one or two of their anesthesiologists in advance? WlsMomma (aka ) EDD 12/20ish/04 > .... > > EVERYONE should be aware of thier birth rights and the patient rights.. etc. > I do hope you have a good repport with your OB. > If you don't like the first visit... chances are you won't like any future > ones. > > I can tell you it is much easier to find a new OB in the beginning.. rather > then in the later weeks... I know I tried at 25 weeks to switch OB " s... not > one would take me because I was under OB care.. by a very REPUTABLE practice... > REputable my big butt! > > If I wasn't high risk.. I would be at the midwives door... however.. I do > have a great high risk doctor who I actually like.. AND she herself is a WLS > patient.. out 1 year!! > > Did I not LUCK OUT??? > > Of course it is always a good idea to have a Birth Plan all done up and given > to your provider.. .. what you want.. what you don't want... heck.. get it > notorized. ::: evil grin :::: > > Have to tell you.. after my last birth experience... I am not looking foward > to this one. > Long story.. not to scare ya... but I am a bit paranoid. > > Now.. if I can find an anestesiologist whom I can trust... otherwise.. put me > out!!! > (repeat C Section) > - Mommy to: > Noah - 10/14/02 - 31 weeker - 3lbs 11 oz > > Deanna Marie or Jonah due November 18th - 2004 > > http://www.love-my-kids.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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