I delivered both of my children under the care of OBGYN North. First, let me preface by saying that I was very close to choosing to birth my babies at home under the care of a midwife, but my husband and I decided it would be in our best interest to have a hospital birth. We chose OBGYN North because midwives are allowed to assist in births at NAMC, and also because this practice is known for taking a natural approach to childbirth. I had a great experience under their care for the pregnancy and birth of my first child. I delivered my first baby within 15 minutes of arriving at the hospital. However, I was disappointed when I went in for my 6 week follow up and the midwife who DELIVERED my first child asked me who assisted at the delivery. Ummm....you!?!? Remember, I'm the one that nearly had my baby on Mopac??
It always seemed like the midwives would take as long as needed to talk during my first pregnancy. I fondly remember a certain midwife asking my husband if he wanted to find the baby's heartbeat. She also rubbed body butter on my stomach instead of that white goo that is typically used. I also remember I was having a bad day and my blood pressure was much higher than normal at my appointment. Dr. Campaign took the time to talk to me, make sure everything was going okay in my world, and give me a hug Unfortunately, I did not get the same impression during my second pregnancy and appointments usually felt rushed. Their was even one time that I was left in a room (in a hospital gown!) for close to an hour because the midwife did not know I was in there.
During the last trimester of my second pregnancy, I brought my birth plan to an appointment and discussed it with Dr. Sebestyen. I was told that I would be allowed to eat and drink freely during labor and that I would not be rushed with any artificial procedures. I also reminded her that I had a very fast labor and delivery with my first child. When I went into labor, I arrived at the hospital with contractions 3 minutes apart and 6 cm dilated. Dr. Sebestyen was the physician on call during that time. She came in to check on me twice during labor, and both times she pressured me to break the bag of waters and rupture the membranes. I never understood why because labor was progressing fairly quickly. I was also told that I was only allowed cleared liquids during labor. After she left the room, labor progressed very quickly and I was ready to push within a couple hours. The nurse was not able to get a hold of her! Dr. Sebestyen was in a file room somewhere in the hospital and Lisa (another midwife at the practice) had to run across the street from OBGYN North to deliver my baby. Nothing makes a laboring woman more upset than being told to wait when she is ready to push! I found that to be unprofessional. But I was actually pretty happy to see Lisa's face! She is so sweet and even though I knew she was in a hurry to get back (because she wasn't supposed to be there!), she stayed for a bit and let me take pictures of her with my son. My 6 week up check up was with her, and she was great.
I do like the face that I was allowed a heploc instead of an IV, so that I was able to freely move around and get in the shower during labor. I'm not sure if that is the hospital's doing or OBGYN North.
On a side note, the sonographer is terrible! She is impatient and basically ignored my questions each time I saw her. I would always walk out of the sonography room with high blood pressure.
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