You dont have to do anything - its your body and your baby

[SammyRo]

Hope you don't go too much longer Megan!

I'm with you in what you're saying.
I've said this before, but I think its sad that women choose to go private and with an ob simply because they've got the insurance, without considering the risks. Or because they think its the best option without looking into it - I read the analogy somewhere that you don't go to an oncologist for a cold, so why go to a specialist for a normal low risk birth.
I think it all comes down to education - I read everything I could get my hands on last time, and knew what I wanted - luckily I had chosen a birth care model that really suited this.

[Patooties]

We took out insurance for the sole purpose of going Private and using an Ob. I had 3 wonderful birthing experiences - so no real need to feel sad for me.

[sneakysparkle]

good on you hun, I wish more people said this out loud IRL!

[Claire_midwifeVic]

totally agree ....welcome to the eternal battles that (some..) midwives have every day....

I do do hope that the tide will turn, and that maternity services are reflective of 'what women want'....but the change has to come from the ground up....and although we need to respect those who choose the private OB model of care....one cant help but wonder if they only choose it to enable a complete continuity of care...whether its a subconscious choice or not....
So when will it change..??women through wonderful forums like this....need to be informed and know what is happening to their own bodies, and ask lots and lots of questions. When I work with my women ( purely on a shift by shift basis ) I usually whip through a few suggestions for that womans 'plan of care'...but the overwhelming response is one of ??????.....like you simply come in to hospital...put on a gown, submit to the system. NO !

I know I should probably practise in a midwife model of care...but what about every womans right to have an empowered birth, in the full knowledge that that was the right decision fo them? please please dont stop communicating with your lead care giver in pregnancy. Scribble a few thoughts on to a bit of paper about what YOU want. Be fluid....dont set in stone.....but have a voice. As there are some who will take it away from you if you dont actively make yourself heard.
Now Im going back to bed....more night shift later..Boo !!

much love X Claire

[Arimeh]

I think its sad that women choose to go private and with an ob simply because they've got the insurance, without considering the risks.

Gee thats a pretty generalised comment.

I have private health cover and an OB because I have done my research and I'm birthing at the best maternity hospital on the Sunshine Coast.

Of course if I wanted to feel like a piece of meat and not a human being, then I would go to the general hospital.


Megan - great thread mate. All the best xxxx

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Of course you don't have to do anything.

But try remembering that when you're pushing and surrounded by people that you only met a few hours ago who don't want what's best for you.

I went public and wouldn't recommend it.

[SammyRo]

Gee thats a pretty generalised comment.

I have private health cover and an OB because I have done my research and I'm birthing at the best maternity hospital on the Sunshine Coast.

Of course if I wanted to feel like a piece of meat and not a human being, then I would go to the general hospital.

Yeah, you're right, it was pretty generalised and I apology if it offended anyone. I know there are plenty of women who do do the research, and still choose to go private with an ob, because thats the best available option. I think what I meant to say (and I'm pretty lacking in the articulation dept, these days) is that its important to not choose any model of birth care blindly but to research before hand. I have a friend, who has already decided to go private and has taken out the extra cover in preparation, (she's not pg yet), she has clearly stated that she wants to avoid a c-sect, so I recommended what she could read and research so to ensure the obs she chooses is one that encourages natural or at least vaginal above intervention.

It would be great if there was real choice available and not, as in some areas, the only choice being between private and a meat market (or public). I was very lucky with DD and had access to a mw caseload model - I had a wonderful experience going public. And I wish that more women had access to this - either in the private or public arena. So I'm probably very biased towards this.

As i said, I seem to have lost the power to explain myself clearly

[Inanna]

Megan - welcome to the world of empowerment for Women in their choices for Birth!

Sammi sometimes words don't come across quite as they are meant...

I've had a homebirth midwife, 2 birth centre births, a waterbirth in a private hospital, 3 sleeping babies & an emergency c/section at 27.5 weeks in a tertiary hospital...

It's not about public versus private - it's about safe individualised choices for Women. Not everyone feels safe at home. Not everyone feels safe at hospital. What feels right for one birth won't for the next... What we need is safety and informed choices.

When you trust your midwife or obstetrician BECAUSE you have a relationship that has developed because YOU have made informed decisions I think it's fair to say that it's a pretty good call to listen to that provider of care. Hear them. Talk to them and make an informed decision!

There are some (albeit very few) private hospitals that have a Woman centred approach. I might add there are very few prublic hospitals also that have a Woman centred approach.

I like Arimeh experienced the best of the best. I made an informed decision to birth my baby into the water at a hospital dedicated to Woman centred birth... I chose a Dr (who happened to be male & I really need Woman energy to birth well) who would agree to wait outside UNLESS I needed a Dr... It was all just how I wanted it.

Birth in a hospital can be different. It will only be different by consumers standing up and yelling loudly about what it is that they want as they birth their babies into this life... We don't get many chances to birth - it's up to us the consumers to become passionate, loud and above all else EDUCATED!!!!

I know some pretty amazing obstetricians so I can't be an obs basher. I count them as friends. Some I have crossed paths with I would not allow into my sacred birthing space... We as Women need to know ourselves well so we can choose well.

Birth is about a journey of growth - the growth of which is undefinable at times!

I wish you a beautiful birth Megan - the Wise Women will be around you as your birth your baby...

[helle]

I've said this before, but I think its sad that women choose to go private and with an ob simply because they've got the insurance, without considering the risks.

What is the risk of using an Ob?

[JellyBean]

The answer to your question is controversial Teagz, but in a nutshell, you wil find that proponents of natural birthing favour woman-centred, midwife-led birthing as it has much lower intervention rates than obstetrician-led care.
The general consensus is that Obs have a bit of a reputation for favouring artificial interventions (ie - inducing labour instead of allowing it to happen naturally) in order to fit in with their apparent adgendas, despite the risks this may pose to mother and baby. Consequently this can lead to a cascade of intervention, with Ob-led births having a significantly higher c/section rate than midwife-led births.
Of course that is not to say that all Obs are pro-intervention for no apparent reason. Of course they vary greatly.
There is great article here on belly belly which can help you to decide on a Ob if you are considering that route of care.
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/pregna...k-obstetrician

[helle]

The answer to your question is controversial Teagz, but in a nutshell, you wil find that proponents of natural birthing favour woman-centred, midwife-led birthing as it has much lower intervention rates than obstetrician-led care.
The general consensus is that Obs have a bit of a reputation for favouring artificial interventions (ie - inducing labour instead of allowing it to happen naturally) in order to fit in with their apparent adgendas, despite the risks this may pose to mother and baby. Consequently this can lead to a cascade of intervention, with Ob-led births having a significantly higher c/section rate than midwife-led births.
Of course that is not to say that all Obs are pro-intervention for no apparent reason. Of course they vary greatly.
There is great article here on belly belly which can help you to decide on a Ob if you are considering that route of care.
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/pregna...k-obstetrician

Thanks Jellybean! I was just curious to know why an Ob would be considered a risk. It probably sounds niave of me but I'm not having a birth plan. Other than our plan to have our baby come out of me alive, so we have already decided on the care of a Dr. If I have a natural birth with no intervention then it's a bonus. I have heard of too many people researching to the depths and coming out of the otherside disapointed with their outcome because it hasn't gone how they planned, and I don't want to feel that way when I have something so wonderful I could/should be celebrating instead.