Looking for natural birth experiences at VA Hospital Center

[Anonymous]

Hi! I am planning to give birth at VA Hospital Center in August and plan to have a natural (i.e. no epidural, minimal interventions, minimal monitoring) birth. The kink is that I'm considered a "high risk" pregnancy and may need to be induced. I'm curious to hear birth stories (both successful intervention-free births and those that ended with interventions) from VHC. My doc is Dr. Crowther, so if you have experience with her, that'd be helpful too.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I'm delivering there in October, so I can't give you my experience, but I spoke with a doula who said that VHC allows you to have a natural delivery (med free, etc.), but they monitor the heartbeat every so often. That's no different than what I had with a midwife in another state.

[Anonymous]

I had a natural birth at VHC. I did have periodic external monitoring (20 minutes every hour). My nurse was very supportive. My physician was Dr. Tchabo, but he didn't attend my birth. One of the residents (who was overseen by an attending) delivered. I think that VHC has a very low rate of natural birth - less than 2% of all patients, but the staff who I dealt with seemed to be fine with a natural birth. The resident even commented how nice it was to be dealing with a patient who could change positions and move easily.

Best of Luck.

[Anonymous]

I'm delivering there in October and just saw one of the docs in my practice last week (Healthcare for Women - Dr. Ferdandez) and he told me that all of the docs in their practice pretty much followed the wishes of the patient in terms of intervention, etc. He said they were all pretty laid back and deferred to the patients wishes. I've only met with 4 of them so far but they all seem to be exactly as he said.

[Anonymous]

Wish I had first hand experience, but I only know what I've learned from discussions with other moms and my doctors (another Healthcare for Women patient here).

While, the doctors in my practice all say they support my choices for a natural birth, I try to keep the following in mind:
- the doctor is there for a short period of time. Even if you are induced, I don't think the doctor will be with you for the majority of your labor.
- the nursing staff is actually present during your labor & delivery. I have heard good things from natural birthing moms about the nursing staff at VHC; of course, there is always the random Nurse Cratchett, so be confident asking to change if you get nurse you don't mesh with.
- I am planning a drug-free birth when I deliver (hopefully here soon) so I am happy to give an update. See if you can ask other moms about their experience. When you take hospital childbirth classes, or even at the dr's office, ask around; try to meet other moms.

Good luck! I hope things go smoothly for you.

[Anonymous]

I delivered naturally there last July (if by naturally you mean no epi, etc.). I was with Dr. Crowther's group but it was Karen King (awesome midwife) who delivered me.

I found the nurses and staff to be fine with a natural birth. No one bothered me or pressured me to have an epidural. I had non-pain-killer medical interventions because I had preeclampsia but it was all to protect me and the baby.