Finding Trustworthy Prenatal Care

I met with my family doctor over 10 days ago, and asked to be referred to an OBGYN for my prenatal care. I specifically asked not to be referred to either Dr. who provided my care last time - and I told her why. I gave her a list of 3 names - she said she'd get back to me in "a few days". I've heard nothing, yet.

I fear that one of the reasons things went they did last time was because there wasn't an opportunity for me to build rapport with the OBGYN. We met once at 36 weeks (when he agreed to do the c-section, before meeting again when I was in hospital and in labour (and he was giving me the tale about pediatric appendectomies and no OR or anasthesiologist after I had already spent 2 days in hospital patiently waiting). It's a lot easier to lie to a patient when you don't really know that patient.

Perhaps it would have been different if I had been referred earlier in the pregnancy - maybe at 20-25 weeks, that's not the OBGYN's fault, but rather my primary maternity doctor's. It wasn't like I hadn't asked to be referred earlier, I had, repeatedly. But I trusted, and waited. I thought my primary maternity doctor "got me" - I thought she understood and was supportive of my wishes. At our last prenatal - she reassured me that the baby was not going to "come out that way"...

So understandably, I don't want to be referred to somebody who I will have to rely on to refer me again. It's going to be hard enough for me to trust this time around...

Why is it that only women who desire vaginal births are given any reasonable chance at continuity of care?

If you are an OBGYN (on Vancouver Island or in Vancouver) who is supportive of maternal request c-section, feel that you can actually make it happen and willing to take on a somewhat anxious pregnant woman (who likely has some degree of PTSD and trust issues) with an EDD of September 20,2011 - please drop me an email at awaitingjuno (at) gmail (dot) com.

The Canadian Referral Process

I had my appointment with my GP today to get a referral - I spent more than half the time crying. I told her that I do not want to be referred to Dr. X or Dr. Y because of what happend last time - that I did not want a vaginal birth last time and after being bumped for 2 days wound up with an epidural free vaginal birth. Under no circumstances do I want a vaginal birth this time. I gave her the names of 3 OBGYNs that I'd prefer to be referred to - the problem is that in Canada OBGYNs generally don't handle uncomplicated pregnancies. The practice in BC is to refer to a general practitioner who does maternity care or a midwife - then have that person refer to an OBGYN at 33-35 weeks. My problem with this, is that waiting until 33-35 weeks is cutting things just a little bit close. How do you establish a relationship at that point? How do you trust that they'll go to bat for you at that point? Worse, if you don't like who you're referred to, is there enough time to get a referral somewhere else?

Why is it that only women who desire vaginal births, deserve continuity of care?

I'm hoping one of the OBGYNs on the list will take me on...sooner as opposed to later. If it's not possible, I should just firm up my plan to deliver in the US - and consider it the price to pay for piece of mind.