We've met our docs
Last night we were back at the hospital - yet again - this time for our 'meet the doctors' night. With 8 physicians in the call group, Bärchen most likely will not be delivered by the GP we've been seeing for my prenatal care.
It was a good session. Seven of the eight were present, and five of the eight are female. They share philosophies on childbirth (right down to, "You do whatever makes you comfortable and we'll catch the baby wherever works for you; if you need to walk, we'll just follow you"), although there are some differences of opinion on specific points (oxytocin shots to help the uterus contract and deliver the placenta1). The information provided was pretty much what we hoped for: what to expect, when to go to the hospital, their common approach... In fact, it was useful enough that it made me wonder (again) why we bothered with the 'official' prenatal courses.
It was also the only thing we've attended at the hospital where:
1. We were told immediately upon signing in where to find the washrooms. And which part of the auditorium was closest to the washrooms.
2. Refreshments! Cheese, fruit, apple cider, tea... Before and after!
Yes, both of these points demonstrate that they clearly know their audience...
One GP recommended that we bring music along - soothing music for labouring, energetic music for pushing. No mention of either Wagner or Valkyries.
Oh, and I'm pretty certain that one of the other women in attendance was a classmate at Queen's. I'd heard she'd moved out here, so maybe it was.
Anyway, that was our last scheduled/planned visit to the hospital. The next time we go there it should be the time. (Yes, this scares me!)
1 News to us! The administration of post-delivery oxytocin shots hasn't been mentioned in any of the books we've been consulting, and it sure didn't come up in our prenatal courses!!
It was a good session. Seven of the eight were present, and five of the eight are female. They share philosophies on childbirth (right down to, "You do whatever makes you comfortable and we'll catch the baby wherever works for you; if you need to walk, we'll just follow you"), although there are some differences of opinion on specific points (oxytocin shots to help the uterus contract and deliver the placenta1). The information provided was pretty much what we hoped for: what to expect, when to go to the hospital, their common approach... In fact, it was useful enough that it made me wonder (again) why we bothered with the 'official' prenatal courses.
It was also the only thing we've attended at the hospital where:
1. We were told immediately upon signing in where to find the washrooms. And which part of the auditorium was closest to the washrooms.
2. Refreshments! Cheese, fruit, apple cider, tea... Before and after!
Yes, both of these points demonstrate that they clearly know their audience...
One GP recommended that we bring music along - soothing music for labouring, energetic music for pushing. No mention of either Wagner or Valkyries.
Oh, and I'm pretty certain that one of the other women in attendance was a classmate at Queen's. I'd heard she'd moved out here, so maybe it was.
Anyway, that was our last scheduled/planned visit to the hospital. The next time we go there it should be the time. (Yes, this scares me!)
1 News to us! The administration of post-delivery oxytocin shots hasn't been mentioned in any of the books we've been consulting, and it sure didn't come up in our prenatal courses!!
posted by Melanie A at 9:57 a.m.
1 Comments:
Regarding the oxytocin shot: really? I thought it was covered pretty clearly in our prenatal classes. It kind of adds insult to injury - you're in the middle of pushing out a baby, and someone jabs you in the leg with a big ole needle! On the other hand, I turned out to need it, both times, so I was pretty glad they do it. (in fact, with Joffre, I was on a pitocin drip and they still did it, and then they gave me even more pitocin in the drip!)
We did the same meet-the-doctors thing as you did, and they mentioned either soothing or upbeat, uplifting music (Ode to Joy, etc). Aaron leaned over to me and said, "Wagner! Wagner!" Which made me snort.
During the Q&A, one guy stood up and asked if there weren't concerns about having a cat around a newborn, for health and safety. One of the doctors responded, "no, Mike, we've been over this with you already, if you want her to get rid of the cat you're going to have to come up with another reason!!"
Post a Comment
<< Home