What would you do?

[blackduckies]

I heard my OB was going to retire through a midwife at the hospital and she wondred if I would be under his care still as she thought he finished up before my date, so I decided I had better ask at my appoint yesterday. It turns out he is not retiring he is relocating due to ongoing conflict with the hospital. After 21 years of service, leaving seems to be a big deal and on my due date . He has been picked up as head of OB at Sandringham hospital and going to start his own practice down there, so no slouch!!! I have picked his wifes brains for all the info, she is his receptionist and also a midwife for many years, turns out the hospital has employed a 70 year old OB who does'nt like to come in under emergency conditions and authorizes extended labours to fit in with daylight hours and a younger OB is all about natural childbirth apparently at any cost, one woman has died along with a number of babies and many have had their first helicopter trip to Melb within days of birth due to complications, she believes that many of these children will have brain damage, but a lot won't show up until later.

I had wanted to try for a VBAC, but am really concerned about my and babies health, if I don't go into labour before my OB goes away. He is very sensible and I trust him competely that he has my best intersts at heart, he is happy for me to try naturally as long as everything goes along smoothly which is how I want it also, apparently these others are inducing woman who have had had previous C-sections, letting them have extended labours without monitering, midwifes are telling woman to push way to early, pain relief is being denied and C-section delayed.

My ???? are what would you do?

I am thinking maybe I should try to do as much as possible to go into labour early, accupunture etc and perhaps if baby still does'nt come book myslef in for a C-section with him as late as possible before he leaves.
It goes against the grain for me not to try, also this is my last baby and labour is a part of all this for me and little ones at home afterwards easier with natural birth, but I am more fearful of something happening to me or my baby, my chances are slim after 2 sections to birth naturaly anyway, because of not being able to be induced, no extended labour etc.
Do I travel further afield to another hospital, or maybe even to Melb to my OB, although does'nt sound like a great plan 2 hours in labour in the car

Anyway any thoughts would be great, someone might be able to think of something I have'nt???????
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[Chocaholic]

All I can say is OMG, what is the hospital thinking?

Honestly, if you don't want to risk the 2 hour drive to Melb while in labour, then a C-sec with the Ob you trust is the best option IMO. Do NOT go to a Dr that you don't trust and who doesn't seem to have your best interests at heart.

Is it possible to change hospitals or are they your only option?

[blackduckies]

Thanks for the reply, hospital an hour away, but further from Melb or one 45 mins away closer to melb, but no experience with either and both country hospitals, harder for visitors etc: I think if I was going to travel I would try to go to Melb for better care but..........all so hard!!!!!! Maybe I will go early, I have once before, but unfortunatley with both the girls overdue and by heaps.

[cheekyfrog]

Follow your ob, Pam! Two hours' drive is better than taking your chances where you are. Tell your ob, if he's leaving, he has to take you too! He might be able to give you a heads up when you're getting close to going into labour and you could head down to Melbourne a little bit beforehand. I'm planning on heading down to Wagga when it gets close to time as I'm nearly three hours' drive away from Calvary Hospital. And if I were to go into labour here and need an ambulance, they'd take me to Griffith Base Hospital as it's closer.

[briggsy's girl]

BD - do some research locally with people you know - maybe even look at the recommendations. the one 45 mins from here, on the way to Melb, has a FANTASTIC reputation - i know of people closer than either of us to the local, and they've travelled to W for their births. they're apparently very proactive with VBAC's too... definitely look around. you may need to change OB's late in the game, but if it means you get a local-ish, and stress free birth...

i'm assuming it is Dr S from T'gon that is leaving??

[blackduckies]

Thanks Kerry and BG, Kerry I would love to follow, a bit hard with the pther kidlets and a bit of a pain if it turned out to be false labour, but could'nt afford to hang around at home and wait either. BG might take your advice and check it out, thanks!!! Yes it is Dr S and I think it is going to leave a huge hole down this way????