Midwife or Ob/gyn?

I hired Wendi Cleckner with Freedom and the Seed midwife practice and paid in full last week and was assured there were no surprises in billing and everything was 100% settled. They cashed the check 2-days ago, and yesterday sent an email demanding an additional $500 because we are 1.2 miles further than they thought. They had our info since May (its now the end of August), and nothing was mentioned at our apt. last week and when we paid and signed the contracts.

When I disputed the $500 charge they dropped me from care and are keeping a large portion of my money. I have not even been allowed to talk to Wendi, she will not return or answer my calls. I have been crying for two days over this. I am 5 months pregnant and do not have healthcare now, nor the money to hire another provider because of this practice.

"i apologize for not mentioning this fee when you were signing the financial agreement - an in person conversation regarding finances is always preferential. There is a clause in there regarding long distance clients but as i am a bit new to the area, it did not occur to me that you fell into that category."

Below is the first email I received the day after they cashed the check paid in full, when I tried to make my second appointment. Our home is 21.2 miles, not 23. And we would have had no issue paying $500 more for the 1.2 miles if it was a part of agreement when we signed it, but it was not. We were ASSURED that we were 100% paid in full.

"Upon reviewing your chart, i noticed that your house is 23 miles from the office. i'm not sure if Wendi discussed this with you but our policy for families greater than 20-29 miles from the office is an additional "travel fee" of $500. This is to cover fuel costs as we will be visiting you at your home several times not just for the birth but also for your postpartum care."

When I responded $500 for 1.2 miles for fuel costs? This is the reply I received. And just know I NEVER asked for a discount, their payment plan states if you pay on the first visit in full you get a certain price, and if you go with a student midwife another price. They offered it to me.

"As you know, there is more to travel than just fuel costs: extra travel time, extra wear on the vehicle. i understand that you must be feeling frustrated by the fact that you fall into this category by just a couple miles. And while 25% of your discounted rate surely feels a bit steep, i'm sure $500 is based on our full rate of $4500."

This was my personal experience with Wendi Clecker and Dianah Damron De Luna with Freedom and the Seed. http://www.freedomandtheseed.com

We absolutely adore our midwives!!! Sarah Blum-Sheller and Wendi Cleckner with Global Midwifery:

http://globalmidwifery.org/

They do homebirths and are an awesome, caring and professional team. After experiencing midwifery care, I will NEVER voluntarily return to the care of an OB. There's no comparison!

Hi K.- I am so excited for you:)
I just had my second and did it natural again- better this time around:)
I had my baby at scottsdale shea and they were wonderful about following my wishes and being open to any news things that would happen. I wanted to go the midwife or doula route but cost was a factor- so I just educated myself and informed my husband about what I wanted as well. I would recommend you visiting the hospitals and asking alot of questions early on. My husband and I were very shocked in a good way as to how open scottsdale shea north was with pregnancy.
If you have any other questions about specifics we can talk more.
Good luck and enjoy!
D.

I vote midwife!

My first daughter was born in a hospital and despite our best efforts to have a completely natural birth, after 28 hours of active labor (as in AFTER my water broke), I didn't dilate (and no, they weren't checking me constantly). My doctor was actually great and would have let me keep going but I was so exhausted. We did an epi and pitocin and she arrived within a few hours.

My second labor was amazing - and only 5 hours (also typical of second labors). I chose to have our daughter at home with an experienced midwife, Pam White. My labor was in a comfortable environment and my recovery was fast. I was on my feet and feeling great by the next morning. Even my husband was completely sold after the birth. He loved that Pam was with me through the whole thing (not typical of hospital births) and that he was free to sit with me or help by getting things Pam or I needed.

That said, the hospital doesn't have to be a horror story (and wasn't for me). You can choose what kind of labor you want in either place but may have to be more firm with a traditional OB. Just be sure you talk through all your concerns thoroughly BEFORE you get to the labor room!

Also, you'd probably enjoy reading "Birthing from Within". It will help you prepare for birth wherever you choose to do it - no judgment.

Congratulations!!

M.

I would say the best place to deliver is Banner Desert. It is on Dobson and Southern, and is right off the freeway so getting there from Tempe would be fast. They accept all the high risk stuff there so if (god forbid) anything should be complicated with your delivery they have facilities there to help you. That is the place other hospitals send their moms/babies when they can't handle them because they are too sick. I didn't have any complications but I delivered there and it made me feel better knowing they could handle it if something went differently than we planned. Good nurses too and the room I was in was just remodeled so it was the same as going to a new hospital because it was all nice and new. Best of luck and congratulations on your baby! -S

LOOOOOVED my midwifery experiences both times. I gave birth both times in a hospital, but my midwives were with me the entire time and I was definitely in charge of what happened from start to finish. Actually, I would say it was more of a collaboration, but my midwife was totally tuned in to what I wanted. Good luck, whatever you choose, and congratulations! What an exciting time for you!

A.