the business of birthing in NYC {Updated}

Back in the day women used to work in the fields, let out a small noise and then lean up against a fence, give birth and then strap the baby to their backs and continue to plough the fields. Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration, but really when did this all become so complicated?

I admit, being in a new country with a very different healthcare system has made it just that more complicated. The health system in the US is a maze. Thankfully we are covered through Big Monkey’s work or else we just could not have made the move without it, we would have stayed on in New Zealand until we gave birth to Monkey #2.

I am trying as much as possible to create a birthing environment that I will feel comfortable in. That means, the less medical intervention while I labour, the better and Big Monkey will definitely be there supporting me along the way.

I’ve been reading about Birthing Centers, freestanding birth centers, hospitals, home births, hypnobirthing and water births. A combination of these appeals to me, but then I have to run it past my insurance company. Their are certain things they won’t cover, and certain we can’t afford if they don’t come to the party to help.

Everywhere I call, no one wants to take me this late in my pregnancy. One secretary when so far as in saying “30 weeks, no doctor will take you at 30 weeks!” *Oooph* that was the sound of me exhaling heavily from the blow she has just dealt me. I have already figured out that no midwife will take me, but now no doctor! How is Monkey #2 going to make it into this world.

So while I struggle to fully understand our insurance coverage, the search is still on for the doctor who will help deliver my baby.

October 10 update: I found a doctor! She is associated to the hospital that is my first choice (behind a birthing center). She supports me being as natural as possible and has even given suggestions to help me stay “in the zone” during the early stages of labor and beyond. I found her by saying to another doctor’s secretary that I was desperate. She felt for me, but her doctor just had no more room left, why didn’t I try this one?

We also met with a lovely doula, unfortunately our insurance does not cover doulas and her services were not something we budgeted for, so we are going to have to pass.

The doctor and I really gel. She was phenomenal in explaining how births “happen” in the US – fully aware that we’ve never had a child here. Tick, that’s one more thing off our list.