Insurance SUCKS
Our beautiful birth plan has hit a snag. Seems my insurance company has been dropped by the hospital we had planned to deliver at. This is the best hospital in the area with a birth center IN the hospital and a low level of interventions.
Our midwife does deliver at another hospital...BUT...because of my DVT history (HISTORY, as in the past, not now, six years ago and counting) she doesn't think hospital number two will be willing to take me. She's going to confirm that they won't take me, so that still may be option.
Bottom line? We are probably going to have to not only switch hospitals but switch midwives as well. And we're down to only two hospitals that would take me.
Hospital #1 is the biggest baby factory in the area and does not allow midwives to practice there. With my weight, we'd have a huge risk of c-section. Nix on hospital #1.
Hospital #2 is the high risk, high intervention hospital, but they have a midwife group we could go to. This would reduce our risk of c-section. I've made an appointment for us to see them in a couple weeks.
It's been a hard day. Both M. and I are still in shock over having our plans ripped out from underneath us. We feel like we are about to be plunged into the world of risk averse OB that we were working so hard to avoid. This makes our doula search even more important, because it's turning into the single thing we actually have control over.
posted by Sacha @ 3:45 PM
11 comments
11 Comments:
ummm, I just wondering what a DVT is?
Good luck with the hospital search, hope it all works out!!
I totally can understand and relate to having birth plans up-ended. I totally agree that a good doula is going to be a life line. In my case once the doula I wanted was engaged I felt much more calm. I feel like she has the emotional distance and yet has a clear vision of what I want out of the birth experience.
I just wanted you to know that you are not alone in the upset birthing plan department. I hope that you will have resolution soon.
At birthing class yesterday I learned a key phrase that is so simple yet so empowering for me to hear. "I do not consent to...." If I can't remember anything else I know I can remember that this is still my body and I don't have to submit to medical procedures. I wish you a healthy intravention free birth.
Jackie - a DVT is a deep vein thrombosis, AKA a blood clot. They found one in my calf after I broke my ankle. It's pretty rare to clot from a break.
Maverickmama - being a nurse I'm pretty strong about my right not to consent. To the point that I can be a real pain in the ass at times. It's very empowering and everyone should know that phrase.
Wow, how upsetting and crappy. I am sorry you are facing this, but glad it's at THIS point and not when you are like 38 weeks!!
I'm guessing since you didn't mention it you're not considering other options - but I just have to ask - you guys *must* have at least one free-standing birth center out there, it being Seattle and all. Have you thought about that as an option if it comes down to shitty hopsital? Or doing a homebirth? I know (at least it seemed from my earlier recollection) that you felt really strongly about receiving care from a CNM - I know at least here there are CNMs that do homebirths and also freestanding birth center births. Obviously this is not your first choice but maybe something to consider if shitty hospitals become your only other options.
for what it is worth - I can speak to the weight thing - I figured I would be pushed for a c-section because of my weight... but actually, they really REALLY wanted me to deliver vaginally because surgery is riskier the heavier you are. I hadn't really considered it but after mine (which was emergency!) my surgeon told me how worried she was - she had another doc assist and the chief of surgery "stopped by" to see how things were going.
i 100% feel you on being completely pissed off about losing control about your birthing process, but i second RC/FF beth in that /at least/ this is happening now, when you have time to regroup and forge a new plan. it still sucks, and i'm really sorry. i hope something else can work out that you both feel good about. *hugs*
So sorry about the disappointment. That's really lousy. I hope the hospital will take you and you can stay with your midwife.
I am so so sorry. THere is nothing quite like having important plans change, birth plans to boot!, when you are pregnant.
I also wanted to urge you guys to seek out a "birthing from within" birth class, if you have any in your area. It was the single best thing I did for my birth. That class was so supportive and positive and empowering. ANd it helped us prepare for the unknown...seriously the best money we ever spent! Email me about it if you want info.
I agree with you about the doula...it is almost the most important decision you have! We used CNM in the hospital, and although we loved their prenatal care, they were kinda like doctors in the hospital...meaning they didn't stay with me a whole lot. They never pressured me about invasive interventions, ever, but they just were not present the way we hoped.
How risky is your DVT? Blood clots are a serious issue during birth.
My midwife, Valerie Sasson, was an RN (maybe BSN?) before she became an LM. She practices at the Puget Sound Birth Center, and might be a good person to talk to about your options. The PSBC is located mere steps from Evergreen Hospital. I don't know if your DVT risks you out of a birth center delivery, but if I were a heavy woman, I think I'd be really eager to stay out of the clutches of an OB. Not that I wasn't eager to do that anyhow :-)
I'm really sorry you have this stress to deal with.
I 2nd Birthing From Within. It was a really good class. Except the teacher couldn't stop calling Mia "dad." We made up 1/4 of the class you think she could have made the switch to "partner."
That sucks about the insurance :-(
Man, that sucks big time. I hope everything ends up working out ok for you two.
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