Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Hi All,

Just joined and glad to have this site for support. I am hoping you guys can help me out with some advice.

I am currently with Great Neck OB/GYN and am very happy with the practice (Drs. Santoyo, Sadaty, Kaufman and Rifkin). My issue/concern is that I am not sure how supportive the doctors and/or hospital might be with my birth plan (natural unmedicated vaginal hospital birth).

What I would love to hear is any stories/advice/feelings/experiences you had with either the practice or even the hospital....

I am more interested in if they respected your choice and were supportive of what you wanted (rather than pressure you with hospital policy or what the doctors thought was best)....regardless of your birth plan. How were the nurses?

My alternative is to switch to Winthrop Hospital and see Dolisi, Hanauer & Fretwell.

Thanks ... and congrats to all those expecting!!

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

I don't have any personal experience with this (yet); but am in a similar situation. I am with a practice affilataed with LIJ. I also want to have a natural; unmedicated; minimal interventions birth. I plan to talk to my OB at my next appointment and figure out just how supportive the hospital staff would be of my wishes.

I'd be curious to see what people have experinced with either hospitals honoring their decisions to have natural births.

Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

You might want to ask on the parenting board since there will be a wider audience of those who have already given birth.

I live out of state. My OBs are not known for being the natural types, but completely respected my request for no meds -- it really was all about the nurse in L&D. When we got to the hospital, I handed her a copy of my birth plan I'd written out (it was very short since most stuff can't be planned) -- basically, I told her I didn't want to be offered pain meds. But if I begged not to deny me. I made it meds-free.

Had an intervention of some sort been needed, my OBs would've done what was necessary for me or my baby.

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

I had my DS at North Shore in January. I had a great experience,, the private room was just like a hotel. I used Dr. Jessica Jacob and she is very pro-natural birth. She has the lowest intervention rate of all the OBs there.

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Thank you both. I definitely plan on grilling my doctors to feel them out.

Posting on the Parenting Board sounds like a great idea... and I will definitely have a birth plan handy.

Message edited 7/18/2012 4:53:52 PM.

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

I wanted to answer here as well in hopes it might help other ladies. Again...wishingyou the VERY best!
___________

hi! Congratulations on striving for a natural, unmedicated birth.

I had an unmedicated birth at North Shore University Hospital with a different group of doctors. I was very fortunate to have the support of an excellent doula and my amazing husband who trained in the Bradley Method with me.

What made my natural delivery possible was that my doctor (via phone instructions) allowed me to leave and walk around the hospital at 5 cm dialated. I was told to come back within 3 hours or so. During this time I walked alot, had contractions throughout various hallways and ate and drank at will. This was very important because once I went back and was officially admitted, I was VERY restricted with regard to eating and drinking.


I was offered an epidural at least 3 or 4 times despite my insistance on NOT wanting one. I did my best to keep moving in the hall way of the delivery ward, walk and rock on the birthball. At one point I stalled at 6 cm and my husband, doula nd I fought for a soap suds enema (our doc was suggesting pitocin, baby's heart rate had dropped and something had to be done soon). The nurses and attending physician told us that it was not hospital policy, we kept insisting and finally our Ob gave the greenlight so long as I was to also receive an IV to avoid dehydration.

Within 20 mins of the enema being adminstered I dilated to 10 cm from 6, my water broke on the table and our DS was born in 3 pushes. There is NOTHING more amazing than a natural unmedicated birth. It was a whirwind and surreal and over SO quickly!

Our delivery room was packed, everyone ran in to witness our birth because natural births are not common at that hospital. When it came to those last 10 mins, I can say that EVERYONE was completely supportive, excited and sharing the moment. It was seriously like a cheering squad, a beautiful moment but up until then there was a vibe of "yea, this girl is crazy"....you know what I mean?


My advice:
-Chidlbirth education for you AND DH!
-Hire a seasoned doula familiar with NSUH.
- share your desires with your Ob team and don't let them doubt yourself. AFFIRM that you are dedicated to this so long as baby and mom are not in peril
-ensure you understand all possible birth interventions and question everything
-don't allow nurses to bully you, hopefully if there's a nasty nurse you can kill her with kindness until a change in shift occurs (this happened with us).
-be confident and believe in yourself, you'll be surprised how contagious this is.
-MOVE as much as possible and buy yourself time, ask to leave the floor and come back in an hour so you can squat in the hallways, eat or whatever you need to do.
-look into soap suds enemas and see if it makes sense for you....for us it got things moving (ick!) but because I had to get off the bed I was off the EFM (which being on my back during monitoring was hte ONLY time I felt pain) and squatting on the toilet. Discuss this with your doctor.

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST and I wish for you an empowering and beautiful birth experience.

For my next birth, assuming no complications, I will be with a midwife probably at Nassau University Medical Center so that I can use the birthing tubs. GOOD LUCK and please FM with anything!

ETA: Does Winthrop have birthing tubs? I find water to be SO helpful in managing pain so maybe a switch to that hospital might make sense.

Message edited 7/18/2012 5:19:51 PM.

Message edited 7/19/2012 9:16:35 AM.

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

I gave birth at North Shore and did not have a good experience. I would be happy to share the details if anyone is interested, but I think it's more helpful to hear what I would have done differently and what I plan to do differently with this birth. Also - educate yourself about birth!

1. I wish I had hired a doula. You will get endless pressure from the staff to get rest and feel comfortable - aka an epidural. When you're exhausted and scared, it's hard to question the medical establishment. So have an advocate there who can support you and remind you that you can do this! DH's are great, but they also want you to be comfortable and feel rested.

2. Talk to your ob about your plan. Find out all of the details of how they operate - how long will they let you labor without pitocin? How long past your due date can you go without induction? Will they break your water? Do you need constant fetal monitoring? Can you eat or drink while in the hospital? etc. I told one of the ob's that I wanted a natural birth - his response was, oh, most woman go in saying that... that should have been a red flag, but I figured, eh, who cares, I know what I want and I'll fight for it. That goes back to #1 - hire a doula because when you're in a hospital gown, in a bed - I think it takes some of your will to fight away.

I hope that helps. So, yes, you can have a natural birth at North Shore and/or LIJ but you need to be prepared with an army of support.

I'm using a midwife this time around - I can't imagine going back to North Shore (but again, that was because I had a bad experience).

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Mrs Penthouse/Mama2MAx -Thanks for your story/advice. It really is helpful. I am now considering gaia midwives and NUMC for the water labor/birth option. I am definitely hiring a doula (100%).

I am still weighing my options. Since I do not know what could happen I am scared that the more conservative hospitals might scare me into letting them do whatever is necessary for the health of the baby (and me).... especially if they are not used to natural unmedicated births.

It comes down to listening to my gut. I have read Ina May's Guide and am now reading Your Best Birth.

I am sure you'll hear more from me on this!

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

I am really not trying to start trouble but I really cannot help it

I applaud any thing done by any person when it comes to having a baby

Whether it is unmedicated,with a epi, at home,in the car at the hospital after 4 min or 4 hrs or 40 hrs if u nneded pitocin or percaset

I just think to use terms like nothing more amazing than having a natural childbirth is unfair

We r all trying for the same thing,happy healthy babies...there is not a better or happier way to get there

I needed much to get me here and will be knocked out for a c section

My sister had a epi, my other sister did not. They both had a wonderful experience and would both say it was pretty amazing as will I god willing

I would just hate for anyone to feel like the birth of their child was any less amazing simnply bc they were not "natural"

Sorry to hijack the thread,just something I feel strongly about

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Posted by MrsSx2

Posted by gina409

I am really not trying to start trouble but I really cannot help it

I applaud any thing done by any person when it comes to having a baby

Whether it is unmedicated,with a epi, at home,in the car at the hospital after 4 min or 4 hrs or 40 hrs if u nneded pitocin or percaset

I just think to use terms like nothing more amazing than having a natural childbirth is unfair

We r all trying for the same thing,happy healthy babies...there is not a better or happier way to get there

I needed much to get me here and will be knocked out for a c section

My sister had a epi, my other sister did not. They both had a wonderful experience and would both say it was pretty amazing as will I god willing

I would just hate for anyone to feel like the birth of their child was any less amazing simnply bc they were not "natural"

Sorry to hijack the thread,just something I feel strongly about

ITA! Well put!

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Posted by MrsSx2

Posted by gina409

I am really not trying to start trouble but I really cannot help it

I applaud any thing done by any person when it comes to having a baby

Whether it is unmedicated,with a epi, at home,in the car at the hospital after 4 min or 4 hrs or 40 hrs if u nneded pitocin or percaset

I just think to use terms like nothing more amazing than having a natural childbirth is unfair

We r all trying for the same thing,happy healthy babies...there is not a better or happier way to get there

I needed much to get me here and will be knocked out for a c section

My sister had a epi, my other sister did not. They both had a wonderful experience and would both say it was pretty amazing as will I god willing

I would just hate for anyone to feel like the birth of their child was any less amazing simnply bc they were not "natural"

Sorry to hijack the thread,just something I feel strongly about

ITA! Well put!

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

I applaud and respect all mothers.... this wasn't meant to offend anyone.... just trying to get some research/reference from others who have been there.

This is my first - so I can only imagine that the birth of one's baby is the most amazing thing ever regardless of how you have your baby (and if you happen to have it with an epi or go natural than that's your only experience and how you describe it).

Ultimately a healthy baby and mother is the goal.

What I was looking for was more about a doctor/hospital respecting the mother's decisions.... whether that is an elected c-section or a water birth, being induced or waiting until 42 weeks, with or without drugs etc.

My sister had a great birth with an epi... I want to try the natural way.

The great thing (and maybe my biggest obstacle here) is that we have so many choices.

No apologies on hijacking - the whole point of this is to be able to share your opinions, experiences etc.

I do really appreciate everyone's responses and would love to hear more!!!

Believe it or not I am still debating!!

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Well...I wanted a unmedicated, natural delivery as well with my ds back in 2004. I had previously delivered vaginally so I figured no problem...well
when the day came I had a c-section. I had to have a repeat c-section 3 years later, and now we are TTC and once we do repeat c-section.

My delivery was at NSUH.

Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

I didn't even know they still made fig newtons...

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

i do not want anyone to apologize and you should def share your experience bc it is amazing,and people should know that

my point was for me,i just think every birth is amazing..i just chalk it up to the thought in my head that there is always someone struggling behind me and would kill to be able to have any kind of birth


please do not stop sharing your story,anyone interested in a natural birth should def hear it as it will be good info for them

best of luck to all of you

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

I delivered with the same doctors and hospital. They did not push anything on me, I am certain that so long as there is no medical reason you should not have an unmedicated, natural,vaginal birth it will happen. I was very happy with bot the doctors and hospital.

Re: Advice Please: North Shore Manhasset Deliveries

Message edited 7/26/2012 2:15:57 PM.