Meeting My Obstetrician

Yesterday my mom and I drove to the Walkerton Hospital, and had my first meeting with Dr. Schipper, the obstetrician recommended by my mom's family doctor.  Aside from getting told to go to three completely different locations by three different people and therefore arriving for the appointment a bit late, everything went smoothly.  I was asked the exact same questions as all my previous first-time appointments.  I guess that happens when you go through three different doctors in one pregnancy. But seriously, all the answers are in my records sitting on your lap. Why do we have to go over all this again?   The main difference this time was that Dr. Schipper's opening comment as she sat down was
"So, this baby was a bit of a surprise, wasn't it? How are you feeling about it now?"

That is something no doctor has asked me this entire time, and I appreciated it. She also wanted to know about Taz. Whether or not he was still in the picture, what he does for a living, what our future plans were, etc, etc. It was a pretty in-depth appointment, and she seemed much more interested in me and my concerns than anyone else I had encountered in the medical field along this journey.

I finally know where I'll be delivering Amelia, and was able to get a tour and ask all my pressing questions.  Here are the main points:

1. The birthing centre has 6 private birthing rooms, where you labour, deliver, and recover. Your baby rooms in with you.  Each room has a separate bathroom with a jacuzzi, a couch, a kitchenette and lots of windows. 









2. Partners and grandparents have 24-hour access for visiting. Partners are encouraged to stay with mom and baby

3. Natural pain relief is encouraged, and currently there are no epidurals available at this location.  The nurses I spoke with seemed very concerned with making sure mothers are relaxed and comfortable, and medical interventions, even as small as an IV are totally at the mother's discretion.  Fetal heart rate monitering is not constant, nor does Dr. Schipper seem to push it. She said it can often appear to indicate distress even though the baby is perfectly fine, and this causes stress for everyone else, so it is best done intermittently only as required.  I think this is great!

Discussing my birth plan with Marilyn, a nurse at the birthing centre

4. Mom and baby are often discharged after 24 hours if everything went smoothly, but if mom wants to stay longer to get more help with breastfeeding, etc. that's ok too.







As we were leaving after our tour, a newborn baby in one of the rooms began to cry. My mom smiled and said "I love that sound". I asked her why.  She says I will learn to love it too. It's communicating. 

We'll see.

Oh, one more thing: I haven't gained anything since my last doctor's appointment, three weeks ago. I don't know if this should concern me or not. The doctor said it isn't a big deal for now. I think its probably all the extra exercise I get from working outdoors and moving all day long. I just hope baby's ok. She is moving around tonnes, and giving great big belly morphing kicks, so for now I won't worry. I have another appointment in two week's time, and will see how things look from there. 

We may even get another ultrasound next appointment, if Dr. Schipper can't determine what position the baby is in. She couldn't this time, and man, that probing is painful!