Last Minute Birth Decision

I delivered both of my children at TX Womens. Both vaginal births. You have to keep in mind that my labor only lasted four hours start to finish and my first child came three weeks early and I was dialated to a 5 and fully efaced when I arrived at the hospital. With my second child, I was dialated to a 4 and having mild contracations upon my last check up. I was immediatley admitted and once monitored the baby's heart rate dropped every time I got up. I knew this was not a good sign so I agreed to pitocin and breaking my water and my second child was delivered under an hour. I am glad that these options were available and I have no complaints. I think every situation is different and I know that we go into the hospital with our dream delivery but keep an open mind. My recommendation to you is to express your wishes to your current doctor, labor and delivery nurses and doctor on call. My doctor is John Irwin and I was fortunate to have him deliver both of my children.

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It does seem a little late to be changing. I think I got the best of both worlds. I went with through the Women's Specialists of Houston. They have a group of Midwives in the practice. They will deliver at St. Luke's or Methodist. I went with them and St. Luke's with both my boys. They will support you with whatever decisions you want, whether that be a natural childbirth or if you decide you want more. It was comforting knowing I was in the hospital with Texas Children's at the end of the hall if anything should come up that needed the extra care. I absolutely love the Midwives. Good luck with your decision.

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Best wishes with whichever method you choose! We had our baby at Woman's and everyone there was GREAT! I had no complications during my pregnancy and was in labor for 20 hours (which they did not rush or push me). However, my baby was born with some health problems which were completely unexpected so we were very lucky to be in such great hands! Not only were the Woman's Hospital staff wonderful, they provided a bunch of support and resources for out future needs. Also, the medical center doctors are regulars there for special circumstances like this. Our geneticists, cardiologists, GI, and ENT all came to us at Woman's and kept us very well informed of our choices and the status of my little angel. They treated her like a princess and were very kind and respectful towards me...I cannot say enough about the care they provided! They went out of their way to provide a mobile for her crib and a bouncy seat for her to play in when she was a bit older. Now she's home and doing much better...in large part because of the great help she received in the beginning. I think a midwife is a great way to go also but if you decide to go w/ the Woman's hospital just know that it was a great experience for me!

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For my last baby I didn't go to the midwife until I was 4 months along, and they wouldn't take me then. So I just showed up at the birthing center when I was in hard labor and they couldn't turn me away. However, you've already gone the rounds with the doctor and are out some money at this point, I assume. If that's the case, I'd stick with the doctor and try again next time. Midwives like the monitoring too. Negotiate with the doctor to get as natural a childbirth as you can. I was going to go with a midwife for #4, and she was on vacation when my son finally decided to make his entrance, so her backup was a doctor. I told him the birth plan I had (family there, no drugs). He swallowed hard but agreed, although he did want the IV. We settled on that, and it went fine. The main problem with a doctor is that he'll be inclined to give you drugs instead of helping you through the rough spots. Going through transition is the worst, but after that you settle down to the serious business of moving the baby out. If you have a friend who has been through natual childbirth, have her there to advocate for you. Husbands are great but are pretty clueless when it comes to childbirth. Remember that this too shall pass, and enjoy the baby!

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Hi New Mama,

I was worried about having my second baby in a US hospital, because of all the intervention. My son had been born in a Canadian hospital with midwives and no intervention, a completely natural birth.

I just made sure I did not go too early to the hospital, and I was very firm with the nurses and the doctors about my desires. I did have an IV but somehow accidentally pulled it out and I managed to convince them not to put it back in. I let the anesthesiologist know in uncertain terms, that I was not having an epidural, and I asked him to leave. If you remain calm and in control of your pain response you are in the drivers seat. My daughter also was born completely naturally in a US hospital, a very easy delivery. My fears proved to be unfounded.

Since this is your first baby, and you have not delivered before the hospital is the safest place for you and your baby. Have your plans prepared, be sure your husband is on board, but remember the safe arrival of your little one is more important than the actual mode of delivery. Despite saying that, I hope you are able to have a completely natural delivery.

Oh, I also let my doctor know I was not in favor on inducing, even though he was threatening that. First babies are most often late. All the best, K.

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Hi, mama! It's never too late to change your mind. :) I would avoid Texas Woman's Hospital at ALL costs if you want to avoid interventions. They have a horrendously high c-section rate and are very mother UN-friendly.

What part of town are you in? You can find midwives in the Houston area at http://www.houstonmidwives.org/. Call them all and see what they tell you. There are some midwives on there who have birth centers, as well, which might be easier than a homebirth when switching at the last minute. But it's up to you! Call the midwives - it will never hurt to try. :) There are also midwives for a more naturally-minded hospital birth who work out of St. Lukes, and at least one at the Woodlands.

I've had one hospital birth and two home births, and would never birth anywhere but home again. :) I hope you have a wonderful birth!! Please do post back and let me know how things went, and feel free to send a private message if I can help with anything else.

All the best!
H.

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If you want natural childbirth then I think you have to avoid hospitals. Why can't you switch to a midwife/ They won't take you now?
Love,
Z

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I think it may be too late to get a midwife on board, but you never know. Mine is Jackie Griggs at www.houstonmidwife.com. Or you may want to consider St. Luke's. I have also heard good things about Dr. Guilliums. You could probably get a good outcome if you hired a doula to be with you at the hospital. Try contacting Debbie Hull, she's a great doula. I am afraid I have never heard of a good outcome at Tx Women's. Good luck.

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Congrats on your upcoming baby!

As far as positive stories from Women's hospital, i have to tell you that i had a won-der-ful time at Women's! They never imposed themselves on me (granted, I didn't have any pre-conceived plans, worries or ideas, i just went with the flow), they didn't break my water, they were all super friendly, and i have to say that they made my birthing experience a positive and memorable one. Even after the birth, the nurses were sooo friendly. I'd go back there in a heart-beat.

As far as what you should do, i think you should follow your gut. If you're heart is set on it, see if you can find a birthing center or doula that can take you in. If not, maybe you can create a birthing plan for the hospital stating what you want or don't want done, and then trust that God's already made the plans for you and 'go with the flow'!

Regardless of what you decide, your birthing experience will truly be up to you and your attitude going into it.

Best, best wishes for a great experience!
:-)

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Hi N.--it's never too late! I'd be happy to meet with you for a consult appointment and tour of my facility, North Houston Birth Center. Have you been on-line to view all the Houston area birth centers?

It's quite simple to change, I once had a woman come to me in early labor! Once you make the decision to avoid all unnecessary interventions, it's even more difficult to have to put up with medical management. I do not use IVs or electronic fetal monitoring. You may move freely throughout labor, including the jaccuzi for labor and birth.
Call ###-###-#### for a consult appointment. Kathy

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Hi,
There is a center in the Woodlands, I do not remember the name but if you look up in the internet for "birth in water" you will find it.

With my first and now with my second I have to give birth at the Woman's hospital for insurance reasons. I have to tell you that I was VERY VERY happy with the service there and at the end of the story with my first baby it was the best choice because I had to have a not planned C-section. It was reassuring being in a place were I knew they had all the knowledge and experience for my situation.

I have a lot of friends that had their babies also at the Woman's and we all agree that it is an extremely good place.

Hope this helps.
Good luck!

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Women's is the best hospital to deliver at in my opinion. you have a nurse who does not leave your side---so it's basically like a doula, midwife, so don't worry. they were totally open to whatver type of birth you would like--epidurals come in a matter of minutes if you decide to want one and they will help you with pain management (no meds) if that's what you want. One important thing to think about: Don't rely on a birthplan--I think that it just sets you up for possible disappointments and thoughts of failure. There is no wrong way for a baby to enter this word--no meds, c-section, induction, it doesn't matter as long as you and your baby are healthy!! If your doctor wants to intervene, just ask for other options and reasons why they want to intervene. Be informed! Remember that little baby is in control, no one else--so whatever is going to have him/her come into the world healthy is the best. Once you have him/her you will think "why was I stressing about birthplans"

Also no one forces you to do something you are not comfortable with--the nurses are great! Your doctor will only show up at the last minute anyways, so just talk openly with your nurse! good luck

Also, the food is not bad at woman's and you can order all you want from the menu!! definite plus after all those hours of ice chips!!!!

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I am a Doula. I think that you have some very useful info here just wanted to put in my thoughts. Call a midwife...or doula and have a conversation about what you want and they will help you come to the right decision for you and your family. Due to insurance and financial reasons I had to have my son in a hospital...however it was exactly how I imagined it. My doula helped me through everything. Have copies of your birth plan ready and make large notes to post to help remind them of your wishes (if you are at the hospital). It will all work out. Congrats and I hope that you feel peace with your decision.

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I have heard wonderful things about Tx. Womens.... I had my baby 16 years ago at The Methodist hospital. I had to have a c-section, not my choice of course, but after 23 hours of labor they had to.
I had an epedural and they had given me pitocin because things were not moving along.
Otherwise I had a wonderful child birth experience.
I think you will be fine at the hospital.... my fear would be of the exposure to a non sterile area.... I know that they used to birth babies at home all the time and I had a grandfather born in 1909 of course at home and he only weighed 1 pound and a 1/4 ounces.... so it just all depends.....
Good Luck to you and your new precious baby....

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For safety sake, always have an OB and pediatrician in a hospital. God willing all will go well, but God forbid it does not, you will always regret not taking advantage of all medical advantages. If you don't want drugs, tell your OB in advance. I have a friend who did not originally plan on having her baby in a hospital. She was in the middle of labor and her hubby had to rush her to the hospital!!! Go the safe route and then make that decision once you have had this experience in a safe environment. This is one decision that stakes are too high. Congrats and best of luck.

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Hi New Mama!
Welcome to the world of motherhood! I totally understand why you want to have as little intervention as possible. I've had four kids- all four in a hospital. The first two I had them breaking my water, the epidural, telling me when to push. It was miserable. My third, had a horrible doctor (we moved in the 7th month of my pregnancy) and the birthing experience was not fun. However, I did not have an epidural and actually recovered much quicker. My fourth, had a midwife in the hospital and no intervention at all. It was awesome.
It is late in the pregnancy for you to switch gears. You may have a very difficult time finding a midwife that would take you at this point. Also, you and your dr. have built a relationship, which (in my opinion) is very important. Just because you are in a hospital doesn't mean that you have to have intervention. You just need to be very clear AND your spouse or sig. other will have to know EXACTLY what you want- because in the middle of tough labor- you may not be in your right mind! :)
Maybe another route thatou can take would be to find a doula to assist in your birth at the hospital. They are women who are trained to be a support at your side during the labor and delivery process. Also- just because you have the baby at the hospital, doesn't mean that you have to stay there for the full 48 hours. If you and the baby are doing fine, there is no reason for them not to discharge you when requested. The most important thing is to communicate with your dr. what you really want and if your dr. thinks he/she knows better- graciously stand your ground.
Blessings to you and your new little one!

I'm a 40 year old 1st time mom, I had a wonderful all natural birthing experience in 2006 and I did have my child at TX Womens Hosp., they did offer the drugs but I declined. I did have a dula, her name is Sharon T., check the her website: http://firstbirthministries.com/min_foreign.asp, give her a call, she was really great:)
Sharon Tilotta - Houston, Texas
Email: ____@____.com
Telephone: ###-###-####
God Bless, TammyT

You never know. It's worth a few phone calls. I used Jackie Griggs, CNM for my two homebirths and she also has a birth center in Pasadena called Bay Area Birth Center. Just google her for her phone number. Another choice may be Pat Jones. If you still want to birth at TX Women's I highly recommend hiring a doula to help advocate for you for avoiding unnecessary interventions or keeping them to a minimum. Debbie Hull is a well known doula here in the area. I think you're smart to think about this stuff even at this point in your pregnancy. You don't have to go immediately to the hospital at the first sign of contractions. Labor at home as long as you can. Avoiding induction and augmentation with Pitocin as well as intermittant monitoring instead of continuous can really help your chances of avoiding a c-section.

Check out www.houbirth.org for more information and resources.

Know that all women are sending their positive thoughts and wishes to you for a safe as well as wonderful birth experience for you and your baby.

Let us know what happens.
D.

Womens is a great hospital, we are fortunate to live in a city with one of the best med centers, take advantage of that. There are too many things that can happen at the last minute, I suggest you stick to your plan, hospital and doctor.