Birth Options

While we wait for our referral to be accepted or denied by Tricare, I've been thinking a lot about my birthing options. Depending on when we can get the reversal done and when I can get pregnant, my options change depending on our location. 

Some people I know say to not "stress" until it's time to stress. I don't feel as though this is stressing. I'm researching my options dependent on my current duty station. As of right now, we will be stationed at Fort Huachuca until April or May then we will PCS. If we are able to get pregnant between now and July, I could have the baby here before the impending move. As of right now, we aren't sure what our next duty station will be but we're working with Jay's Branch Manager (the people that handle assigning duty stations) and have a list of potential duty stations. While I'm not sure which one we'll get, I'm able to research the areas around the duty station, the hospital policies on VBA2C (vaginal birth after 2 cesareans) and the local or state laws on a midwife assisted Home Birth. At this point, I'm willing to explore all options in order to have a VBA2C. While I would LOVE to labor and deliver in a hospital, where I know that they have the proper facilities to treat any emergency that might arise, I'm not willing to be limited by continuous fetal monitoring, epidural or induced if I go past my EDD (estimated due date). These are all things that could stall labor, cause fetal distress and ultimately lead to another c-section. While speaking with doctors the last time I tried to have a VBAC, I was told by several OBs and hospitals that this would be REQUIRED to even attempt a VBAC but fortunately for me, I had done my research and knew that the leading cause for c-sections (that aren't medically necessary before labor begins) is pitocin. I know that continuous fetal monitoring and an epidural can cause labor to stall which in turn causes doctors to try to artificially induce labor with pitocin, when they should have you walk, or take a bath to relax and let labor progress naturally. I don't want to be set on a path towards another c-section and that feels like that is exactly what an OB would want to do. Which is why I would prefer over anything to have a midwife. 

Midwives who work within an OB GYN office tend to only be allowed to see normal pregnant women. Such as patients with first pregnancies or prior vaginal births with no complications. Due to my history with pre-eclampsia (with Jayson's birth) and 2 cesarean births, I would not qualify to see a midwife with in an OB GYN office and have a hospital birth with a midwife. (All of my knowledge is based on my attempts at a VBAC in Virginia and Ohio, I can not speak for all midwives in all states, I'm still doing research) If I find a state or an OB GYN office that would allow me to see a midwife and use that midwife to have a hospital birth, I would be THRILLED! Though I believe it's doubtful, which causes me to believe my best option is a home birth with a home birth midwife. But before I go into detail of my options with a home birth. I will add some definitions with a little bit of opinion thrown in there for good measure...

Definition of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)

Obstetrics and gynaecology (or obstetrics and gynecology; often abbreviated to OB/GYN, OBG, O&G or Obs & Gynae) are the two surgical–medical specialties dealing with the female reproductive organs in their pregnant and non-pregnant state, respectively, and as such are often combined to form a single medical specialty and postgraduate training programme. This combined training prepares the practicing OB/GYN to be adept at the surgical management of the entire scope of clinical pathology involving female reproductive organs, and to provide care for both pregnantand non-pregnant patients. (Copied from Wikipedia)

An OB/GYN is a SURGEON! Yes, I know they are a specialist and they are probably very talented in assisting in a vaginal birth but they are still a surgeon. The first sign of distress whether it's fetal or in the mother, they want to cut. 

Definition of Midwife/Midwifery: 

Midwifery is a health care profession in which providers offer care to childbearing women during pregnancy, labour and birth, and during the postpartum period. They also help care for the newborn and assist the mother with breastfeeding.(Copied from Wikipedia)

The biggest difference I see in an OB/GYN and a Midwife is that a midwife's sole purpose is child birth. OB/GYNs deal with everything in the vaginal area from STDs, yeast infections, pregnancy, cancer, hysterectomies, etc. I would prefer someone whose whole job revolves around pregnancy and childbirth instead of surgery and ailments of the vaginal region. Which is WHY I feel as though a midwife would be a better option in my journey towards a natural birth, whether it be in a hospital or at home. Now whether I can find an OB or Hospital that will allow a midwife to assist me in the delivery of a child is a completely different story. 

As of right now, I'm leaning more towards a home birth than a hospital birth but the decision will really strongly depend on where we are stationed when I give birth so this decision is yet to be officially made. 

More about home birth options to come later...

<3 Traci