Looking for a Doctor Open to Natural Birth

I don't know what insurance you have, but I just had my son with Kaiser Pemanente, & they asked what I wanted...also, call OBGYN of Atlanta, & see what they say. I know that they have excellent dr's & my Mom's been going to them as long as I can remember. They only reason I don't go there anymore is b/c they don't take Kaiser...

Hi Amanda,
Sorry to be so long writing. I'm a doula who has attended births in most all of the metro Atlanta hospitals, including Kennestone. There are several midwives and/or doctors who support natural birth. The North Pointe OB/GYN midwives are, without doubt one of the most trusting of birth groups. They practice out of North Fulton Regional Hospital, the hospital those of us in the birth community call the best kept birth secret in Atlanta. NF has the lowest cesarean rate and epidural rate, by far,among north GA hospitals. While there are other care providers that offer moms a natural birth, there are no hospitals in the area that are as "birth friendly". Feel free to contact me, if you would like more info.

Hi Amanda,
I gave birth twice naturally with a midwife, and I cannot recommend the experience highly enough. Afterwards, I wondered why such a wonderful experience wouldn't be the norm for women, so I started doing research and was astounded by what I discovered. It turns out that in the twenty-two countries that have better birth outcomes than the U.S., 70% of women give birth naturally with midwives. I don't have time to list all the reasons why natural birth is a very good idea, so here's the top three:
1. From my research: Doctors cannot tell you - or shouldn't - that there is no effect on newborns from the epidural drugs. In fact, the Physician's Desk Reference states that it is not conclusively known that the drugs don't reach the baby, and I have spoken to many moms and health professionals who confirm that babies born to moms who had epidurals are more lethargic and have difficulty latching on for breastfeeding.
2. From my research: the medical model of birth actually has a higher rate of complications than natural birth, assuming the mother is low-risk, which the vast majority are.
3. From my personal experience and interviews with other moms who have given birth naturally: When you have the courage to experience what your body was made to do, there is an amazing gift you will receive. The gift is as individual as each birth. The first time mine was a powerful confidence and strength that has served me well in motherhood. The second time it was a deeper connection to my partner.
I say go with your gut that is telling you that there was something wrong with the epidural experience. Give yourself the present of FEELING the most amazing thing that will ever happen to your body.
Prepare yourself with a method. I highly recommend "hypnobirthing" which made my second natural birth a virtual breeze.
My natural births were in Texas, so I'm sorry I can't recommend anyone specific, but my advice is to look for a birthing center - I think there's one in Marietta - where natural childbirth is all they do. You will be awed at the personal and caring attention you will receive from a midwife there.
Here's some suggested reading:
http://pregnancy.about.com/od/pregnancybooksvideos/tp/nat...
http://www.leclairemethod.com/
http://www.hip-chick-pregnancy-guide.com/natural-childbir...

Good luck. God bless, and feel free to contact me directly.

P.S. At the risk of adding a negative comment to a positive message, I'm blown away by the insensitivity and selfishness of your doctor - easier for her! What about you? What about the baby coming into the world?

Amanda, I'm currently in the same spot as you. With my first son I had an epidural and had a very bad experience. I really want to go all natural this time around. We are trying right now so my fingers are crossed. I have an appt with OBGYN of Atlanta where they have midwives at the practice. I will let you know how it goes when I ask them about the natural process and what there views are on it. If that doesn't go over well I am also looking into having a home birth. So I will keep you posted. Let me know how the Northside Womens Group goes.... i seen someone mentioned it and I might even give that one a try. It's a great experience (of course you know) and we as women should be able to do what we feel is right. There's too many doctors that want to push things on you just to convenience themselves. I know, it happened to me. My son was born on Christmas day and you can imagine how they just wanted to "not be bothered". Good Luck!!!

Hi Amanda,
Three months ago I gave birth to my daughter, 100% drug free. It was a wonderful experience. I used OB/GYN of Atlanta and one of their midwives, Mitra Collins delivered my baby. She was wonderful. This was my first baby so I didn't know what to expect; she 'coached' me for 2 hours of what to do, etc. I highly recommend going natural. My thought was that millions of women have done it before us, so I should be able to do it, too! It was not this horrible experience people these days make it out to be. It was uncomfortable, yes! but in the end you have no after effects of any drugs on you or the baby. My baby was so alert and I could get up and walk around afterwards. When the baby comes out, ALL of the pain is gone and you feel wonderful about what you just accomplished. I was very tired from pushing but it was all worth it.

I also hired a doula and that was great, too. She and my husband tried to keep me comfortable throughout the process.

I delivered at Northside where (I think) the epidural rate is 90% plus!

I would recommend you seek out a midwife and not a doctor if you want to go natural. That is just my experience. Good Luck!

I suggest Northside Womens Group. I don't know if you can go completely natural there. But, you can get someone who'll let you make decisions. They have both doctors and midwives available. I found that the doctors wanted to make me have a c-section as I'd had to have one previously. However, the midwives had more leeway in letting me wait and try a VBAC. It was comforting knowing the midwife would be there to help and listen to me (in the past, doctors tended to show up only right near the end of the birth) and at the same time there were doctors (whom I'd met) sort of standing by to step in if things got hairy. Their main offices at right next to Northside hospital. I don't even think the doctors there would force you to have an epidural. But, you can try different members of their practice before you need to make a final decision. good luck and happy birth!

Hi Amanda,

My name is K. and my Dr. Jacqueline Walters and her partner Dr. Katia Castillo are very open to natural birth. I had my daughter the natural way and not once did she try to talk me out of it. She let me know all of my options up front. She is located in Duluth and Dunwoody and is with Northside Hospital. Hopes this helps.

There is a natural living section on the atlantamommas website and SEVERAL of the girls there recommend the same doctors. There is even one doctor that will allow water births at North Fulton Regional if you are interested. I would check there for recommendations especially since I don't know what area you are in. You will find TONS of support on that site and also you may want to get a doula if you are going to do "all natural". You can find recommendations there as well.
Sorry, but I had two c-sections so there was nothing natural about those...
Good luck! Hope you get the birth that you want, but always remember (in case things don't go as planned) that a healthy baby is the #1 goal.

Amanda,

Where do you live? I went to OB/GYN Associates in Marietta, GA (next to Kennestone) and they provided me with an awesome birth experience. I had a C-Section with my 1st daughter, and wanted to explore the possibility of a VBAC with my 2nd daughter, now nearly 6 mos. of age. Not only did they keep the lines of communication open for me, but I eventually did get my VBAC, where other doctors said I should just have a repeat C-Section.

They are a fabulous group of doctors, who have four midwives that practice alongside of the doctors. Highly recommend them. Good luck!

E.

Hi, my last two children were delivered by Dr. Andrew Dott. I believe he is still at Northside.

My first birth was 100% natural
#2 was some medication, that stopped the birth process. so, I had to have medication to restart the delivery.
#3 was an epidural.

I'll tell ya, if for some odd reason I had another child, I'd go epidural all the way. In each case, it was totally my decision how to give birth.

Best wishes to you,
G.