Birth Team vs Birth Dictator

OB office in my neighborhood : Woman says to her OB, " What about a birth plan?"

OB says, " Oh, 'WE' don't do those here. We have you go to the hospital and start the Pitocin."

Woman says, "Well, what if I really want to try to do without Pitocin. What if I want to try
things like standing up, walking, ( etc- you know what she's asking.....)

OB says, "Well, if you are not going to do what we say, you cannot be a patient of ours...." (Take that!) Team mindset, or dictatorship mindset..........?

Well, what that OB didn't know was she was speaking with a smart, independent woman who knows that the best thing for her was to run, not walk, out of that office and find someone who will listen to her desires and work "WITH" her ( Team philospophy).

I certainly know that the Midwife route is not for all women, as much as it should be for all healthy women! However, what I would love to see in my lifetime is all women demanding more from their OBs. If you are healthy, having a "perfectly" healthy pregnancy, it "ain't rocket science". By that I mean your birth day should not be so over managed, unless that is what you want. If your desire is to be a passive participant, go for it. However, do your research, really think about how you would like your birth to go. It is really a remarkably spiritual time in your life......one where you should be an active participant, don't let it be diminished down to the same level as say.......having your tooth pulled, setting a broken arm, rhinoplasty, boob job, brain surgery, or hysterectomy. When you need or want those things, yea, you look for the best, most skilled surgeon and let him or her have at it! "Wake me when it's over..." is all you're thinking!

At least start out on your journey with a partner (provider) who is interested in what you want. I get it to all you naysayers! It goes without saying............all in the realm of safety. I don't think you could find midwives, or OBs who are anymore concerned and safety driven as we are at Reunion. And I know that not all women are destined to have a natural birth......some desperately need assistance and interventions.....and we are so blessed as midwives to have such a great team of collaborative OBs who support fully what we do. They sponsor us for our privileges at Kingwood hospital so that when our moms need epidural, help with their power ( ie Pitocin), or need a cesarean section we are able to provide those things with a "wink of an eye" .

The scenario I presented in the beginning was one that someone told me about yesterday. It happened to her, and she could not get out of that office fast enough. It wasn't just about what was said to her, but "HOW" it was said. No respect.

I ask, how do they get away with it! What makes a female OB feel so completely OK with speaking to another woman like that? In essence, you have no say over what is going to happen.....I am in charge! Deal with it. Well, guess what? She did. She did her research, got reccomendations, and is putting her team together! Go momma. You just started your journey on the road of motherhood!

For now......Janet