recent natural childbirth with Foxhall?

[Anonymous]

Following up on the DeSouza post, has anyone had good natural birth experiences with the Foxhall group? I have generally liked the doctors there so far. My husband and I have taken the Bradley course so we are prepared. I was just wondering if others have had good experiences with delivering without medication with the group or if you've felt pressure to use interventions.
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I delivered naturally with Foxhall and had a wonderful experience. I never felt any pressure by the OB or by the nurses at Sibley to go against my wishes. I'm delivering with them again next spring and expect to have a similar experience next time around!

[Anonymous]

so great to hear! thank you for sharing!

[Anonymous]

I'm also a patient at Foxhall and wish to have natural childbirth, and I was considering leaving Dr. Lightfoote and going to a midwife instead. I saw her last week for my first ultrasound and discussed my concerns. She was very nice and said that they would respect my wishes and not force me to get pitocin or encourage an epidural. She said that I would have to have and IV and be on the monitor while in active labor. I forgot to ask if I'll have to be NPO. My husband and I really like Dr. Lightfoote (I've been getting my GYN care from her for years) and I am thinking I'll probably just stay with her... I'm hoping that my birth plan will be respected, especially with my husband on my side (he's a doctor and will not allow anyone to push us around). I'd love to hear stories from others who delivered naturally with Foxhall - it will help me feel more comfortable with my decision to stay with Dr. Lightfoote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: She said that I would have to have and IV and be on the monitor while in active labor.

You should clarify what this means (maybe you did, just couldn't tell from your post). Intermittent monitoring (how often) vs. constant monitoring, internal vs external monitoring. With constant monitoring, you will be stuck in bed, and that makes it harder for labor to progress naturally and for you to cope without pain meds -- movement and different positions are really key to a natural childbirth. It's not impossible to do it stuck lying on your back in bed, but it's far from ideal.

I also want to say that there's a difference between saying "we have no problem with you planning for a natural childbirth" and "we know how to help you achieve a natural childbirth and are prepared to devote time and effort to your doing so." Try asking what they suggest for women who are having a hard time with pain but don't want an epidural. Ask what they suggest for women whose labor is going slowly but who don't want pitocin. If they have some suggestions and ideas re the above (and seem receptive to the questions), you are more likely to be able to have a natural childbirth with them. If they don't, strongly consider a doula (who will have suggestions re the above) and/or switching providers.

Curious to hear what others' experiences have been with Foxhall. Good luck, OP (and PP)!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: She said that I would have to have and IV and be on the monitor while in active labor.

You should clarify what this means (maybe you did, just couldn't tell from your post). Intermittent monitoring (how often) vs. constant monitoring, internal vs external monitoring. With constant monitoring, you will be stuck in bed, and that makes it harder for labor to progress naturally and for you to cope without pain meds -- movement and different positions are really key to a natural childbirth. It's not impossible to do it stuck lying on your back in bed, but it's far from ideal.

I also want to say that there's a difference between saying "we have no problem with you planning for a natural childbirth" and "we know how to help you achieve a natural childbirth and are prepared to devote time and effort to your doing so." Try asking what they suggest for women who are having a hard time with pain but don't want an epidural. Ask what they suggest for women whose labor is going slowly but who don't want pitocin. If they have some suggestions and ideas re the above (and seem receptive to the questions), you are more likely to be able to have a natural childbirth with them. If they don't, strongly consider a doula (who will have suggestions re the above) and/or switching providers.

Curious to hear what others' experiences have been with Foxhall. Good luck, OP (and PP)!

Wow. Nice lecture.

[Anonymous]

I'm the 17:05 PP. Not trying to lecture at all -- just suggesting some questions the 13:50 PP (and maybe OP) might ask while she tries to find out more about her practice. Maybe the people at Foxhall will have awesome answers; I have no idea. Though I see in rereading the post that the OP has taken Bradley classes so probably knows the stuff I mentioned already.

Anyway, cheers and good luck to all. No lecture intended!