I LOVE my obstetrician and his 'funny' little theories...

[Trillian]

Mmmmm, too many old wives tales there for me sorry. My skin isn't that elastic at all - I get horrible stretchies, yet I have had one accidental pg, and 3 conceived first try. I have an average size shoe yet pushed out one large (going by his standards a baby under 9lb s large), 2 super size ones and one super-super size one. I know of a lot of islander women who have absolute whopper size babies. I reckon you could *work* on the theory of a shorter birth because second labours are often shorter anyway.

At the end of the day though, what is important is that you love him and you trust him.

[Jellyfish]

Ohhh. That is one thing I forgot -- I saw my obstetrician at 37+3 and my next appointment was in a weeks time. He said "Oh, I'm sure I'll be seeing you sooner than that" and I had the baby 4 days later!

[Glamourcide]

Lol awwww your Ob sounds like a really decent bloke If only all the medical people I came across were so lovely!

Well, I'm putting my current Ob (I'm going public so I see whoever is on, this guy is a different one to the one who I saw a couple of times during my first pregnancy) to the test: At my appt yesterday he checked everything out, gave me the all-clear and then as he was finishing his notes, he said, 'See you next week - if you make it that far. I have a feeling you'll be back before then!'

So, yeah. He said my blood pressure was slightly up from its normal levels (is that an indicator of impending labour?), but bub isn't engaged yet... maybe he just says it to everybody who has about a week to go lol, but I've got my fingers crossed that he's right! I'll let you all know when/if it happens

[NaeNae]

Aww Fiona he sounds sweet.

I have to admit I love my Ob too, I didn't think much of him at first meet last time but after what we have been through together I can honestly say I wouldn't see anyone else unless I absolutely had no choice.

I love his open and honest approach no matter how dyer (sp?) the situation is. I trust his judgement and when I do question something he always gives me honest reasons.

[Inertia]

I've never met an Ob I didn't like. Never met one at all! LOL.

But I do love medicos with positive vibes and outlooks. The doom and gloom squad drive me batty. Glad you had the kind of care we would all love. It really does make everything that much easier.

[SweetPea]

Epacris Fiona, thanks so much for sharing, I really enjoyed reading that!

I LOVE my ob too. I found him when I needed a D&C (my first pregnancy was a blighted ovum) and now he's been with me on my journey to DS and DD.

The thing I loved about him most was he would constantly say with great enthusiasm "You're a Natural!". Who knows whether I actually was natural or not but, it made me feel like I could be. Those little boosts of confidence can just make all the difference.

I LOVED my ob too, in fact he said exactly what Epacris said "You're a Natural!" (I see you're in Sydney, maybe we have the same obs )
I went to him when we having trouble TTC and he was continually supportive. He was also supportive of my birth preferences and basically sat back and let me do my own thing, his exact words were 'just do what comes naturally" he was only there just in time to 'catch' the baby!

[Schmickers]

LOL - Fiona, your OB sounds like he has a shoe and skin fetish...

[Epacris]

Epacris - I think EVERYONE is a natural no matter what the circumstance

Kelly, it's funny you should say that. I kinda got the feeling that actually he did say that to everyone, regardless of the circumstances. It was all about him making you feel comfortable and confident. And it certainly worked for me (hey, I even felt a bit special too ).

I think with an Ob there can be an auto distinction of a medical 'expert' vs 'passive consumer' and it's not a healthy thing...

I agree, with an ob, often, unfortunately, that's the default position. And yes, I also agree, it's not healthy.

you can still have a medical 'expert' and be incredibly empowered, natural and confident.

I am very proud to say that that's how I feel about my births. They are both the most amazing experiences of my life.

I LOVED my ob too, in fact he said exactly what Epacris said "You're a Natural!" (I see you're in Sydney, maybe we have the same obs )

I wonder, I'll PM you SweatPea.

[satya]

Fiona - I just had to comment on the theory about skin elasticity. I think he might be onto something there. I gave birth for the first time aged 42 after having 3 pregnancies in 12 months. I am constantly being told how great my skin is and how much younger than my years I look. I also did not get any stretchmarks at all during the pregnancy & got very minor ones that emerged two weeks afterwards, which disappeared within a few months. Can't even see them now. I've never heard this theory before but i reckon he's spot on.

[Lolli]

Fiona - I just had to comment on the theory about skin elasticity. I think he might be onto something there. I gave birth for the first time aged 42 after having 3 pregnancies in 12 months. I am constantly being told how great my skin is and how much younger than my years I look. I also did not get any stretchmarks at all during the pregnancy & got very minor ones that emerged two weeks afterwards, which disappeared within a few months. Can't even see them now. I've never heard this theory before but i reckon he's spot on.

I'd be inclined to agree. I generally have great skin and no stretchies **touches wood** I've fallen pregnant 3 times on the Pill.

[Tobily]

It's great that you feel so comfortable with him - everyone should be so lucky!

I gotta say though, that the shoe thing really is a crock. Really.

There are some out there (often older) who still use their gut to practice and they are gems. I know of one here in Brisbane who does, and I had one in the public system with my first child. He was as old as Adam and I saw him for the first time at 36 weeks...he was like a grandad. He felt my belly so gently, and said "You've got a 7 pound citizen in there, and I hope you have your bags packed because she's coming sooner rather than later". There was no u/s or anything, he just ran his hands around my tummy. I've never had (or seen as a doula) an obstetrician palp a belly in such a gentle and intuitive way.

Four days later I went into labour and had a 7lb3oz daughter.

They're out there, but boy are they rare *sigh*

[Nelle]

Man Tobily, that sounds like a great ob. I've mostly been looked after by midwives in the past, but if I had to have an ob regularly for whatever reason, I'd be wishing for one like that I reckon.

[Epacris]

I LOVED my ob too, in fact he said exactly what Epacris said "You're a Natural!" (I see you're in Sydney, maybe we have the same obs )

Kelly, it's funny you should say that. I kinda got the feeling that actually he did say that to everyone

yep, SweatPea and I have the same lovely ob. Too funny.

At the end of the day though, what is important is that you love him and you trust him.

Yes, yes, yes