Alternative Delivery, Bethany Center Vs. Hospital

Updated on November 01, 2006
T.N. asks from Gilbert, AZ
4 answers

I delivered my son at a hospital and it was an overall positive, uncomplicated experience. The only bad thing was I tore and it hurt for several months, especially during intercourse. I am pregnant and looking into more natural methods for my next delivery, because I think they have a more preventive approach, i.e., stretching and massaging my vaginal opening to prevent tearing, as opposed to simply sewing it up afterwards or performing an epesiotomy. My biggest motivating factor is the fact that while I was in labor at home all night I spent a lot of time in our jacuzzi bathtub and the warm water made night and day difference in my labor pain. I told my husband to go to sleep and I was able to read a book and forget I was in labor. I looked at the hospitals in my insurance network, and none of them offer alternatives, such as a hot tub to soak in and I'm pretty sure they like you to lay on your back during delivery, which fights gravity. My insurance also covers Bethany Women's Center in Phoenix where an M.D. would deliver, but my reluctance with them is they don't offer on-sight surgery for emergencies (but they are located next to a hospital for that reason) and the biggie--no epidurals even if you want one and I loved mine with my first birth. However, if the hospital had had a hot tub, I might not have needed the epidural because it seriously took the edge off the pain so well. I wish there was a moderate approach combining natural preventive methods with modern medicine available, instead of all this exclusiveness.
Anyways, what are your experiences and advice? Has anyone delivered at Bethany Women's Center or maybe you can inform me of a doctor or hospital that offers alternatives such as a jacuzzi tub or midwives. I'm not opposed to epidurals, just as I'm not opposed to Novacaine during dental procedures, but I do like to try the natural approach first. There are just some common sense things that are more logical for delivery, but hospitals seem a little lazy in that department because they have everything to fix you afterwards, so they don't need to prevent things as much.

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L.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Scottsdale Osborn was good for us. They have hot tubs available, will let you use whatever you feel will help.
The birthing ball or whatever. They have you fill out a
birthing plan that they go by. On this you put what you want
from them for the birth of your baby. What pain meds if any,
who you want in there, if you want the baby right away on
your stomach. Any and all plans you have for the birth would
go on here. This is you babies birth and it should all be
your decision.

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H.G.

answers from Phoenix on

My sister delivered there and had a great experience. I tried and was treated very rudely to the point of not getting phone calls returned when I had questions. I finally decided to go elsewhere and was very happy. I used hypnobirth as long as I could during the birth and was very happy with those results. I would not recommend Bethany Center.

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K.F.

answers from Phoenix on

T.,

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I have delivered three of my four children with Betthany womens healthcare. Their birth center is great! I delivered one of my children there. However the practice does deliver at Phoenix Baptist hospital, 19th ave and Bethany. The midwives and the doctors deliver at Phoenix Baptist. To my knowledge only the midwives attend deliveries at their birth center. The great thing about Phoenix Baptist Hospital is they do have Jacuzzi tubs in the rooms. Take a tour, I think you will be pleased with the rooms with tubs. It is the best of both worlds if you can have a great facility with midwives where you can also have an epidural if you choose. I am also a doula, a labor assistant, and have attended a number of births there. I would reccommend a birth preferences sheet, or plan, to request that your baby stay in your arms for initial bonding period and breastfeeding before any newborn tests or procedures are performed. you could also put something in there about your desire for perineal massage. Good luck!!! If you have any questions you can contact me by email ____@____.com , I would be happy to tell you about my experiences with the practice, as well as what I have seen as far as their care for my clients.

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J.C.

answers from Phoenix on

I didn't deliver at bethany center, I delivered at Chandler Regional, which I know does not have jacuzzi rooms, but I did do the perineal massage (actually my wonderful husband did it for me because I was huge and couldn't do it myself) during the last trimester. Ask your OB about it, she can instruct you how to do it...anyway, I think it did help but I ended up tearing anyways and was also very sore and intercourse was painful for several months afterwards. however, my sister's husband did it for her (where did we find these guys? ha ha) and she delivered a 10 lb 2 oz baby with absolutely no tearing. Good luck and happy birthing!

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