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Rant About Prenatal Visits

Hello everyone,

Today's post is going to be more of a rant.

When I was forced to switch from an midwife to and OB, I was heartbroken; not just because of the midwife but because I really liked the hospital. Never the less, I searched for a doctor that would allow me to have the most natural birth possible.

After a few weeks, I found a wonderful doctor. She supported natural birth. She is going to allow me to walk during labor, use birthing ball, birth in a tub, eat in labor, and I'm not required to have an IV. So, I am very pleased.

I do have a few complaints however and I don't think they are against her. I think I would experience the same treatment at any doctors office.

As many of you probably know, they start you off having a prenatal appointment once a month; at 28 weeks you start going every two weeks, then at 35 weeks you go in once a week. I know this is for safety measures but the truth is, she isn't doing anything.

When I go in we don't talk much. She checks the fetal heart tones, my blood pressure, and weight. All of these things I can do at home.

I don't even have her number if I were to go into labor. As a matter of fact I don't know if she is going to be the doctor delivering me because she is in a physicians group.

It feels like they are just racking up money with my insurance company. But I guess that's how it works.

Have any of you had this problem?

Thanks for reading and feel free to comment. NO judgment here.

Business of Being Born

When I created this site I didn't want my blog posts to be formed from my bias opinion. However, I have begin to realize that I am here not to just give you information but to share my heart. Also, I understand that I do have opinions and they are biased because they come from my own experiences. I didn't create this site to make others like me but to give the best information possible. I am more than a news reporter.

Business of Being Born

Today I would like to share with you my thoughts and insights on the documentary called Business of Being Born. I must say, it was a true eye opener for me. Before I saw the documentary I sort of knew that I wanted a natural birth; meaning no drugs and medical inductions. But after I watched it, I was certain of it.

The movie really does a compare and contrast of having a midwife or an OB. They look at the medical industry with a critical eye. And the more OB appointments I attend, I understand why. I started off with a midwife but because of insurance reasons had to switch. The midwife had me take all of the necessary tests but the office I switched to didn't seem to care even though they told me to bring my medical records. I was under the impression that I didn't have to take the same test twice. I was wrong. I know many of you will say it is to protect themselves and that may be true but my insurance got charged for the same tests twice. Any way whats done is done.

On Business of Being Born, produced by Ricki Lake, they inform you that in the past all babies were delivery by midwives. Believe it or not that is the way it is still done in most of the world, and these countries have a smaller death rate in infants and mothers.

In this country we believe that having the latest advancements in technology will keep us safer. On the contrary. Many of the interventions we use are meant for emergencies. Most women are having normal births not emergencies.

A baby being born is not an emergency but rather a natural process that the body can do without help. Birth was perfectly designed and we don't need to help it.

The documentary points out that when we interrupt the body's natural process; it causes problems. One intervention leads to the next.

Example:

If your labor is induced by Pitocin; it makes the contractions unnaturally stronger. Since the contractions are unnaturally stronger and faster your body is not able to adapt to the changes. This will make you need an epidural which will slow down your contractions. Then you will require more Pitocin. This could make the baby's heart rate drop, which will lead to an emergency C Section.

I know this doesn't happen in every case but it does happen. In my opinion natural is the way to go.

Also Business of Being born explained that hospitals have a time frame in which they want labor to progress in. Unfortunately, labor is not this predictable. But there are some things you can do to get the process going.

Maybe if the hospital would allow all patients to walk around, eat, and stop making labor something to fear; it would move along faster.

The documentary didn't try to bad mouth the medical industry. It just sheds some light on a few problems. They informed women to do our research and to try not to be scared into anything. Learn what the pros and cons are and make an informed decision.

I really enjoyed watching the movie. They showed natural birth at its finest in homes and birth centers. I was really shocked that Ricki Lake chose to be nude during her labor and allowed it on camera. I'm sure she got a lot of fan mail for that. They also showed an emergency birth, which took place at the hospital. See, interventions have there place but not in every case.

The truth is that doctors specialize in surgery. They are bored unless somethings is going wrong. Think about it, they don't show up until it is time to push. They are there to catch. Midwives specialize in natural low risk births. They are with you through your labor. They can listen to your voice and tell if you are progressing.

Ricki also produced a documentary series called More business of being born. It covered birth stories, doulas, vbacs, and c sections.

If you are uncertain about the proper birth method for you I would suggest watching these movies and make an informed decision.

Thanks for reading,

My Hospital Orientation

If you are having your first child or your first child at a particular hospital, you want to have an hospital orientation. My husband and I had ours today and I am glad that we did. They were able to answer many questions for us.

I think this step is important because every hospital is different and has different policies and procedures.
Here is an overview of what we learned.

1. Call Ahead

If I think that I am in labor I was advised to call my doctor to see when she recommends me to come to the hospital. When we chose to come to the hospital we are to call them ahead in order for them to be prepared for us. We were also told that if you have a scheduled induction or c section, we were told to call labor and delivery to see if they had a room available. If they don't have room then they will tell us to wait at home for awhile. Or we could sit in the waiting room. That's no fun.

I am sure most hospitals have this policy. This is the process that I have witnessed on all of the labor and delivery television shows.

2.Admitting or Assessment

We were told that if we are scheduled for a induction or c section we would check in at admitting. However, at this point my husband and I are not having an induction therefore, when we are in labor we will go to assessment.

They gave us very clear instructions about assessment. I am to stay in the car while my husband informs the staff that I have arrived. Then, they will bring a wheelchair for me. I don't think I will need this but whatever, right. I hate how things are so medical. I'm not sick, I am just having a baby. But I digress.

Then they will assess me to see if I am in labor. They say I could be in this stage for up to 4 hours. One person is allowed in the assessment room with me. The guild recommended that we not call other family members at this time because they may send me home. And the waiting room isn't very big.

At the hospital I am planning to deliver at has a service called OB Express. This means that I can register for the hospital before I go into labor. This will avoid me having to answer insurance questions during labor. How annoying would that be?

We were also told to bring a 2 bags but to leave the big bag in the car until after the baby is born.

3. Labor and Delivery

• Natural Birth

We are planning for a natural birth. This means that our labor experience will be different than other birth experiences. They informed us that they will ask me some questions which my husband can't be present for. They said it's for legal reason. I understand they want to cover themselves but what? He is my husband and we don't have secrets but okay. I'll just tell him later.

• Birthing Options

While I am laboring I will have the freedom to move around. They have a bed of course, a birthing ball, and a tub and a shower. I think I also saw a birthing bar and stool on their website. If I choose to birth the baby in the water, they will use a portable tub, in order to have access to me on three sides. I know I might want to labor in the tub but I am not sure about birth. We will have to see.

• Monitoring and Eating

During labor I will be able to have a portable monitor. They will also allow me to have what's called a labor diet. I had asked my doctor about this but I need to see what I am allowed to have.

Since I will be going natural I don't have to have an IV but I will have a Hep Lock for emergency access. I don't really care for this but I understand their concerns.

•  People Allowed in the Room

During labor I am allowed to have 4 people in the room. In the pushing stage I am allowed 3 people in the room. This is not a problem for me because I was only planning on having my husband in there. But now I think maybe my mom.

• Discuss With My Doctor

She also stressed going over my labor plans with my doctor because they will follow my doctors orders. If you have read my birth preferences you know I have already cover my basis here.

• Inductions or C Sections

If you are having a induction or c section things will play out a little differently. You will have to be monitored more and you have to be on a liquid diet for induction. I am almost positive that you can't have any nourishment if you are having a c section because of nausea.

4. After the Birth

If all is well after the birth my baby and I will go to our room we will stay in until we depart for home. They have a nursery but my husband and I are not planning to us it at this time. He will stay overnight with us. At this stage, we can have as many visitors as we want. And I can eat whatever I want.

I will be assign a mommy/baby nurse and she will make sure that we are fine. The hospital will provide all that we need for the baby such as pamper. I do plan to bring a few outfits to take pictures and bring baby home in.

Typical a natural birth patient will stay in the hospital for 48 hours but it is the decision of the doctor. Here again I know they are just covering their basis but a midwife would allow me to go home sooner. Before anyone says something, I know, I know it is for the safety of me and the baby.

The pediatrician will come to the hospital an check on the baby to make sure that all is well.

They advised us to install the car seat ahead of time because the nurses are not allowed to help us with it.

Again, every hospital is different. If your hospital has an orientation class or a tour I would strongly suggest that you take it because we received a wealth of knowledge.

Hypnobirthing

If you are planning on having natural labor and delivery, there are many relaxation techniques that you can use. It can be very overwhelming to find the program that is best for you. I too have dealt with this dilemma. How do you know what technique really works? How do you know if they are just selling you something? The truth is; you don't! You just have to trust something. But, I don't think you will really know until you are in the thick of labor.

I have come to terms with this. And I hope I have not made a mistake with my choices.

I am if you have read my birth plan you know that I am planning for a completely natural birth. This means that I will have a vaginal birth without medication. I have found a program that I feel fits me well.

Hypnobirthing

Hynobirthing is a birthing technique that teaches you to let go of the fear that can normally accompany labor. It teaches you that labor is a natural process and that all women are equip to do it. Our bodies were designed for it. 

It also uses breathing and visualizations techniques to help with the pressure of labor. They have also created words that have less negative feeling applied to them. An example of this is instead of using the term contractions; they call them surges, pressure waves. or birthing waves.

I don't think there was a Hypnobirthing class in my area and I didn't want to spend the money on it anyway; not knowing if it truly works.

But I did buy the book Hypnobirthing: The Morgan Method  from Amazon.com. Here are a few techniques that I will probably use while in labor.

Breathing Techniques

• Sleep Breathing

Sleep Breathing is a technique that is to be used between contraction. It is designed to keep you relaxed and focused in between contractions. With this technique you breathe in through your nose for 4 counts and allow your stomach to expand like a balloon. Then you breathe out through you nose for 8 counts.

• Slow Breathing

Slow Breathing is a technique that is used during a contraction. It is designed to help you relax into the contraction. The more you are relaxed the quicker you will dilate. With this technique you breathe in through your nose for 20 quick counts and breathe out through your nose with 20 quick counts. The focus on the breathing helps you cope with each contraction.

• Birth Breathing

Birth Breathing is a technique used to bring your baby down the birth canal. Instead of pushing, which is traditionally done, you breathe the baby down. This requires no pushing which can help with tearing. You take a short breath in through your nose and a long breath out allowing the baby to gently descend. 

Visualizations

The book also goes into visualizations. You are advised to visualize the baby coming down the birth canal. You are also told to visualize your uterus working properly and birth going smoothly.

Hypnobirthing does not require you to use all the techniques in the book. It tells you to choose the ones that work best for you. However, you are asked to practice everyday. They say this is the most important part.

I thought it wouldn't hurt to try it because it is also said that people that use these techniques have quicker births.