Comments on: In Search of a Semi Crunchy Birth Experience http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:36:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Carolyn http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-12767 Carolyn Sun, 24 Oct 2010 07:21:31 +0000 http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/#comment-12767 Ariana, Can you give an update regarding your experience at Phelps? We're about to move to Rockland County and I'm pregnant with baby #2--my first was delivered in a Brooklyn hospital by a midwife and I did end up requesting an epidural. So, I would like a midwife again and all options for pain management in case I need them. Did you have a good experience with Phelps and can you recommend a midwife/OB? Ariana,

Can you give an update regarding your experience at Phelps? We’re about to move to Rockland County and I’m pregnant with baby #2–my first was delivered in a Brooklyn hospital by a midwife and I did end up requesting an epidural. So, I would like a midwife again and all options for pain management in case I need them. Did you have a good experience with Phelps and can you recommend a midwife/OB?

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-1260 Elizabeth Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:58:50 +0000 http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/#comment-1260 Thank you for writing this! I feel exactly the same way as you do. Right now I am slated to give birth at Stamford Hospital-I love my OB and she has a midwife, but there is no guarantee that I will get either one. I could end up with someone from the hospital I have never met! As that is totally unacceptable, i think I am looking for a new place to deliver, and it sounds like Phelps may be it! Thank you for writing this! I feel exactly the same way as you do. Right now I am slated to give birth at Stamford Hospital-I love my OB and she has a midwife, but there is no guarantee that I will get either one. I could end up with someone from the hospital I have never met! As that is totally unacceptable, i think I am looking for a new place to deliver, and it sounds like Phelps may be it!

]]> By: ariana http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-168 ariana Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:51:44 +0000 http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/#comment-168 Kate, thank you for sharing your experience! I agree about being flexible. I think that is what I am hoping for, a hospital that will be supportive of me whatever I decide in the moment. Kate, thank you for sharing your experience! I agree about being flexible. I think that is what I am hoping for, a hospital that will be supportive of me whatever I decide in the moment.

]]> By: Kate http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-167 Kate Wed, 27 Feb 2008 04:49:39 +0000 http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/#comment-167 I had a very similar plan when I had my son two years ago. I had a doula and the intention of avoiding an epidural. I didn't want to slow down my labor and risk a C-section. Ironically, my labor ended up going way too fast - piggy backing contractions (no break) a minute apart within just a couple hours. I ended up getting the epidural specifically to slow down my labor, and I am so glad I did! It was more important to me to be mentally present than doing it without medication. And I didn't know that until I was in the situation. My point is that it's impossible to plan your labor, anything can happen. I think the most successful moms are flexible and allow themselves to do what they need to do in the moment without judging themselves. But a great tip, if you want to be super sure about the epidural, is to make a deal with your husband that you need to ask three times. Just a little mechanism to help you deal with it after the fact if you're worried that you might "cave" in a moment of "weakness." One more thing about interventions...after the epidural the contractions did slow down (thank g-d!) and they wanted to rupture my water. But I opted for a VERY low level of pitocin instead. The bag of water protects the baby, cushioning him as he moves into position. I didn't want to take that away and, ironically, using pitocin seemed the more natural choice. Six hours after the pitocin began, my water broke on its own and my son was born about 1.5 hours later. I was very happy with my birth experience and I hope you will be able to say the same! I had a very similar plan when I had my son two years ago. I had a doula and the intention of avoiding an epidural. I didn’t want to slow down my labor and risk a C-section. Ironically, my labor ended up going way too fast – piggy backing contractions (no break) a minute apart within just a couple hours. I ended up getting the epidural specifically to slow down my labor, and I am so glad I did! It was more important to me to be mentally present than doing it without medication. And I didn’t know that until I was in the situation.

My point is that it’s impossible to plan your labor, anything can happen. I think the most successful moms are flexible and allow themselves to do what they need to do in the moment without judging themselves.

But a great tip, if you want to be super sure about the epidural, is to make a deal with your husband that you need to ask three times. Just a little mechanism to help you deal with it after the fact if you’re worried that you might “cave” in a moment of “weakness.”

One more thing about interventions…after the epidural the contractions did slow down (thank g-d!) and they wanted to rupture my water. But I opted for a VERY low level of pitocin instead. The bag of water protects the baby, cushioning him as he moves into position. I didn’t want to take that away and, ironically, using pitocin seemed the more natural choice. Six hours after the pitocin began, my water broke on its own and my son was born about 1.5 hours later.

I was very happy with my birth experience and I hope you will be able to say the same!

]]> By: ariana http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-155 ariana Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:22:06 +0000 http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/#comment-155 Leyla, this does help TREMENDOUSLY. Thank you so much for delurking and posting your experience.. I am going to call her office and see if they take my insurance! Leyla, this does help TREMENDOUSLY. Thank you so much for delurking and posting your experience.. I am going to call her office and see if they take my insurance!

]]> By: Leyla http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-152 Leyla Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:00:44 +0000 http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/#comment-152 I delivered my son (first-born) at Phelps about two and a half years ago, and I had a wonderful experience there. I had a very difficult time nursing my son at first (latching issues) and if not for one of the lactation specialists at Phelps I don't know what I would have done. She helped me through those first few weeks and even let me call her at home when I needed guidance. I ended up nursing my son well after his first birthday, but could have easily given up on it early on. I don't know if this will help you, but I go to Sleepy Hollow Medical Group- which is an OB/Gyn practice of 4 OB's (I think) and 1 midwife. The midwife, Ingrid Deler-Garcia is so sweet and wonderful, but there is no guarantee who will be on call when you are ready to deliver. At the time I joined the group, I was actually hesitant to see her because I thought I would prefer to have an actual doctor to deliver my baby and had no prior experience/knowledge of midwives. But after meeting her, I quickly changed my mind. By the end of my pregnancy, I had met everyone in the practice and was confident in and comfortable with whomever would be available when I was ready to deliver. My plan was to try to use Lamaze techniques for as long as possible until I felt that I could no longer handle the pain. I ended up having a normal vaginal birth, with an epidural (when I was ready for it which was sooner than I thought), and no episiotomy, but I tore a little. Oh, and a beautiful 7.1 lb baby boy! Sorry, I don't usually comment, and here I've written a book. Hope this helps a little. I delivered my son (first-born) at Phelps about two and a half years ago, and I had a wonderful experience there. I had a very difficult time nursing my son at first (latching issues) and if not for one of the lactation specialists at Phelps I don’t know what I would have done. She helped me through those first few weeks and even let me call her at home when I needed guidance. I ended up nursing my son well after his first birthday, but could have easily given up on it early on.

I don’t know if this will help you, but I go to Sleepy Hollow Medical Group- which is an OB/Gyn practice of 4 OB’s (I think) and 1 midwife. The midwife, Ingrid Deler-Garcia is so sweet and wonderful, but there is no guarantee who will be on call when you are ready to deliver.

At the time I joined the group, I was actually hesitant to see her because I thought I would prefer to have an actual doctor to deliver my baby and had no prior experience/knowledge of midwives. But after meeting her, I quickly changed my mind. By the end of my pregnancy, I had met everyone in the practice and was confident in and comfortable with whomever would be available when I was ready to deliver.

My plan was to try to use Lamaze techniques for as long as possible until I felt that I could no longer handle the pain. I ended up having a normal vaginal birth, with an epidural (when I was ready for it which was sooner than I thought), and no episiotomy, but I tore a little. Oh, and a beautiful 7.1 lb baby boy!

Sorry, I don’t usually comment, and here I’ve written a book. Hope this helps a little.

]]> By: ariana http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-151 ariana Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:57:07 +0000 http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/#comment-151 Hi Katherine! Yes, its really close, only about 10 miles tops, its actually closer than where I got all my infertility treatments! Mary, I would love to work with Kathy or Robin, but they both don't take insurance :( I actually went to their office to work with Angela Le for my infertility accupuncture.. its a great place, I wish they took insurance! Hi Katherine!
Yes, its really close, only about 10 miles tops, its actually closer than where I got all my infertility treatments!

Mary, I would love to work with Kathy or Robin, but they both don’t take insurance :( I actually went to their office to work with Angela Le for my infertility accupuncture.. its a great place, I wish they took insurance!

]]> By: Mary Sernatinger http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-150 Mary Sernatinger Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:49:59 +0000 http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/#comment-150 Hi, I was happy to see that you "found" Phelps! I can recommend two midwives, if you'd like: Kathy Heron and Robin Bradley phone # 914-421-1500 Hi, I was happy to see that you “found” Phelps! I can recommend two midwives, if you’d like:
Kathy Heron and Robin Bradley phone # 914-421-1500

]]> By: Katherine http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-149 Katherine Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:33:52 +0000 http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/#comment-149 Is the hospital a far drive from your house? I live in LA, so getting across town can take up to 2 hours sometimes. :) Hopefully you'll like this hospital. I say take a visit and go with your gut. For me, a big deciding factor was getting an OBGYN who took my HMO and was in my neighborhood. The plan is to give birth at St Josephs across the street from the doc's office. Perhaps I'm too lazy to do any more shopping around than that! Katherine PS~ I'm on thenestbaby.com too. Is the hospital a far drive from your house? I live in LA, so getting across town can take up to 2 hours sometimes. :) Hopefully you’ll like this hospital. I say take a visit and go with your gut. For me, a big deciding factor was getting an OBGYN who took my HMO and was in my neighborhood. The plan is to give birth at St Josephs across the street from the doc’s office. Perhaps I’m too lazy to do any more shopping around than that!

Katherine

PS~ I’m on thenestbaby.com too.

]]> By: Ariella http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-148 Ariella Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:23:01 +0000 http://www.becoming-mom.net/2008/02/19/in-search-of-a-semi-crunchy-birth-experience/#comment-148 That is exactly what I want for a birth exsperance. To be able to chose an epidural but not have it forced on me. I hope your hospital gives you the birth exsperance you want. That is exactly what I want for a birth exsperance. To be able to chose an epidural but not have it forced on me. I hope your hospital gives you the birth exsperance you want.

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