Hellobee Boards

@zeebaby: I gave birth at prentice for my first. I would say it VERY much depends on your ob, but I found that the ob on call from my practice was not supportive at all and actually told me that they "didn't need any more heroes" at their hospital. I felt, in all respects, like a number and because they had so many babies born there each year, that they knew better than I did with every single decision that needed to be made. You can wall me if you want more details.

@zeebaby: There is really no way to know you're 6cm. I just took it as stay home as long as you possibly can. You kind of have to rely on the 4-1-1 timing. But I think you also kind of *know*. My husband slept through most of my labor and therefore we sucked at the whole timing contractions. I was finally just *done* I didn't care how far along I was I wanted to go to the hospital and get an epidural. I ended up getting there fully dilated and ready to push. I think this is also where a doula can help. They've seen a lot of births and know what to look for.

I did not take a hospital birthing class. I took one from a woman who used to teach Bradley Method and had condensed all the important info into a shorter class.

Also, I agree with people who said you need to make sure you and your ob "click" and are on the same page. I used my birth plan to figure that out. If she had not been so supportive of the majority of my wishes I think I would have switched. Even if it was late in the game.

Definitely! I watched that movie too. Tbh, I found it a little overblown. When I started tellingly providers I didn't want an episiotomy or to have the baby bathed immediately, they were all like, "duh. Of course not." I don't think the medical establishment is as bad as that movie makes it out to be, although there are some providers out there who need updating.

I gave birth at Prentice and had the opposite experience with midwife who tried to get me to delay an epi when I wanted one! Other then that I loved Prentice, but I work in healthcare so I'm used to that sort of environment. They see it all and have people all over the spectrum on birth plans - I wouldn't stress about it too much.