My wonderful OB GYN in Decatur is moving to Fredricksburg :( I am so sad. My son was intended to be a home water birth assisted by my midwife but ended up an emergency c-section due to an accident. But my OB GYN was super supportive of my choice and friendly with my midwife. He recently gave us the medical green light that it was safe to get pregnant again. We plan to try in about a year. But part of our decision was based on knowing he'd be here to monitor progress with knowledge of what had happened in the past. Now I have to find another such open minded Doctor and spend the next year getting to know/trust them and sharing my medical history with them. Any help ladies? Does another such person exist?? Help! Thanks in advance :)
:) M.
Thanks to everyone's wonderful suggestions! I had no idea there were this many options in our area. I have made an appointment to meet Dr. Cummings so that I will know the OB Gyn I'd hopefully be dealing with should that become necessary. My previous birth experience scared the begeezies out of me, so it is important I am very comfortable with the person that I might ultimately be referred to in an emergency. In the meantime I am looking into both Innana Birth Center and a midwife used by my best friend. Many of the other wonderful places are simply too far or would not allow a home birth. If everything goes as planned, we've got a year to figure out all the details and get comfortable even before getting pregnant. I appreciate all the help getting started :)
UPDATE
I met with Dr Cummings today. Although they were 1 1/2 hours behind schedule I didn't mind since he spent an hour just talking with me even though I know he hadn't gotten lunch yet. He put me very much at ease :) Thanks for the recommendation!
I've heard nothing but good things about Dr. Cummings in Denton. If I needed to birth in a hospital, I'd be making the drive to see him.
You have GOT to go see Rebecca Burpo at Allen Birthing Center! She and her small staff are exactly what you are looking for! She delivered my fourth baby in January and I "should" have had a C-section, but she was so patient and so skillful that she brought us through beautifull and also managed to snag the camera just as I first held the little one I worked so hard to bring into this world. Those are the most priceless pictures! People come from states away just to see her. You have got to meet her and her whole staff of personable friendly super-knowledgable ladies!
www.allenbirthingcenter.com
Good Luck!
~A. Kirsch
Wow, were are of the same mind! LOL If you find a midwife or a practice of midwives they will likely have a doctor they work with or have worked with in the past. My midwife was Molly Germash, but now she's way out in Peaster (near Weatherford). She was with Family Birth Services in Grand Prairie. They are awesome there too!
Good Luck!
There is a birth center in Denton. Here is the link http://www.inannabirth.com/. I took their chilbirth class. Betty cared from me during my first 2 pregnancies. I have done hospital birth - all natural. If you're looking for an OB Dr. Dooley is who I saw for my last baby - she is so wonderful! She is one of the back up drs. for the birth center. Also Dr. Cummings is great.
I just had a VBAC with Dr. Shawn White out of Decatur (and Bridgeport). He is fine with the fact that I was breastfeeding my 2 year old during my pregnancy and is actually very supportive of our extended breastfeeding. He is pretty open to what the moms want.
He is also wonderful because he is my family practice doctor and is the one who sees me, my husband, and my children for any health issues. He is used to seeing my baby wearing, cloth diapering, wool loving, AP, co-sleeping self in his office - you wouldn't surprise him much ;)
My first was born via emergency c-section by Dr. Fred Cummings in Denton. He assisted a friend deliver her frank breech baby the week before my first child was born. You have already been referred to him. My first pregnancy was attended by a midwife, Jean Sala, she is at Inanna Birth, which you have also been referred to already.
M., I recommend calling your nearest birth center and asking what Dr. they recommend.
HI M.,
I don't know where u live but if Denton is not to far then Dr Cummings is the best Dr in the Metroplex for what u r looking for. His Mom and Grandma were midwives and truly wants u to have the natural birth u want. He does water births etc. He is also the back up dr for a few midwives.
He's the head Dr @ Denton Pres so he makes his own rules ... there none of this well its hospital policy so u have to have this done. He is extremely knowledgeable and confident and has does everything... breach, breech twins VBAC. His VBAC rate is over 90%.
I hate DR's especially OBs who r now trained as surgeons rather than deliverers... but i truly trust him.
I was also a VBAC after a home birth foul up ( poor midwife choice). I had DR C and a midwife as a doula for my second birth. The plan was that if everything went well we would stay @ home and have the baby or if i was @ all concerned we would go to the hospital and c Dr C. Well we ended up staying @ home and even though every other Dr said it couldn't be done out came my daughter 14 hrs later. C i have large kids. She was 10lb 3oz.
Hope this helps
Mertees
Oh yey, i was still breast feeding my son during my pregnancy with my daughter and Dr c was supportive of this so extended nursing no biggy.
There is also a great pediatritian who does Denton Pres. He will do only what u choose for your child and support u on any alternative treatments u want
I have a wonderful OB-GYN who is the back-up doctor for midwives at a birth center here in Denton. It's a little bit of a drive, but only 30 minutes from Decatur. It would be worth it, in my opinion. Dr. Fred Cummings is THE VBAC doctor in our area, it seems, and that's why I'm using him. You can find his info online at: http://www.mcnt.com/bios/Dr._Frederick_Cummings.htm
He recently did a VBAC after 4 cesareans for someone I know and it was successful, so he's willing to work with his patients when there are no major health issues. Please make an appt. with him if you're willing to drive to Denton. He's wonderful! I hope you find what you're looking for.
Dr Grahm is in dallas near big Baylor. She is the MD that works with the midwives at the Birth and Womens center (www.birthcenter.net). My friend delivered with her and she is very supportive of the natural route. Maybe she will approve you for a VBAC if you are interested.
Women to Women Health Associates
Dr. Audrey Graham
http://www.wwha.yourmd.com
3310 Live Oak, Suite 400
Dallas, TX 75204
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Good luck to you!
A.
