Well, it’s been quite the week. We didn’t want to post much until we knew for sure what was going on. Everything is fine with me and baby, but on Tuesday *after* my prenatal appointment the midwife smiles nonchalantly and says, “I have some bad news – you can’t deliver here.”
!!!
She is evidently leaving with no notice and they don’t have anyone to replace her. She doesn’t know where she’s going now, didn’t volunteer why she’s leaving, and handed me two business cards for homebirth midwives (that we can’t legally use in MO) and that was that. No one at the birthing center has been able to give me any more information and they aren’t even answering their phones today. Fun stuff.
So at 39 weeks, we’re having to transfer care. I left the appointment in shock and the fear and a bit of anger didn’t set in until later that afternoon. I spent yesterday making phone calls and trying to figure out what our options are and had a good long cry-fest that Rob sweetly comforted me through. I have been feeling so strong and confident about labor and birth through this whole pregnancy and yesterday I was just completely terrified.
A day can make a lot of difference though, and today went very well. The doctor that I had unsuccessfully tried to get in to see a month ago is back from vacation and graciously agreed to at least meet with me. I met with him informally (he was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt :) ) this morning and it went much better than expected. He is very laid back and didn’t bat an eye at my concerns and special requests. He complimented me for being well-educated and for taking initiative with some of our self-care during this pregnancy and didn’t belittle me in any way. I think he very honestly respects that even though medical science has wonderful life-saving things to offer, not every life needs saving at every moment, and intervention isn’t always necessary. I like him better than the midwife to tell you the truth. lol. I feel like he’ll be more of an advocate for me even if he disagrees with our decisions than she would have been.
So looks like we’ll be having baby at a hospital after all. We have reservations, but lots of support. Baby was doing well at the appointment today and we’ll see him again in a week. Baby will be “overdue” at that point, lol, but I don’t doubt that we’ll make it there. He said baby is actually still sitting pretty high. I think baby dis-engaged a little bit when all of this started happening, actually. God buying us some time to get things straightened out. :)
Wow! That’s insane! Totally strange about her up and leaving without any explanation! I was going to suggest that you could always have a UC! LOL (that’s what I’m praying for this time) So glad you found a good doctor! Sounds like an answer to prayer, even if the big picture isn’t like you imagined.
I can’t believe you’re so close now! It’s horrible that she’s up and vanishing on you like this but I’m so glad you found a new doctor and I pray everything goes well. How is your new place and how is that work going for you?
I understand how you feel about the hospital, but I know everything will go well because you are so well prepared. I was hoping for a home birth (which obviously didn’t work out:), but I am still very happy with the whole experience, and I always have the next time;)
P.S. Sorry for not having gotten back to you sooner; it seems I may get to see the baby instead of the belly the next time I see you!
Oh, and this story reminds me why you will always be a MUCH better person than I am because in that situation, I probably would have been using some words the baby shouldn’t hear;)
Wow, I can’t believe that is your perception of our visit. I actually spent most of that day in tears, having to tell all of my patients that the birth center was closing and they couldn’t deliver there. They aren’t closing because I left, they announced to me that morning that they were closing because they were in deep financial problems and it would be my last day there. I’m pretty sure I offered you the list of other hospital options of providers that you could try. I’m sorry to see that you didn’t feel like I was “sociable” but I would like for you to know that I had NO CHOICE in the decision to leave. The birth center was very poorly managed and I was a victim of that as much as anybody.