It's me versus Kaiser and I'm coming out on top

I have had many gripes with my medical insurance, Kaiser, over the last 10 years or so - really, ever since I've been aware about my medical care. When I was in college and saw them for tension headaches and sleep problems, I asked about using acupuncture as a solution which I knew was technically covered; they not so kindly offered me a low dosage of anti-depression medication and told me that I had no other options. When I questioned them, I was essentially told that I didn't know anything about anything and that if I didn't take the medication, I was refusing treatment. Whatever. I took the medication, tried it a couple of times and then said eff-this, I'm not unnecessarily medicating myself, but thanks anyway K-K!

I didn't have Kaiser when I was pregnant with Gabriel, though still had some complications. When Adrian started working for his current company, we switched back because of cost and familiarity. I knew when I got pregnant with this little nugget that I wanted to try for a VBAC, which is why I chose to have a midwife through them, hoping she would be a little more supportive of my choice to have an intervention-free labor. When we met, she was extremely encouraging about my decisions, so much so that I pictured us skipping hand-in-hand under rainbows and sunshine down the path towards delivery...

Let's just say the rose-colored glasses have come off. I was so disappointed and discouraged as I walked out of my most recent appointment last week. Everything started out okay, but then she mentioned that we should consider scheduling a date for a c-section at 41 weeks on the off chance that I hold in this little boo past my due date. Uh, hello? Have you been listening to me for the last 30 weeks? She mumbled something about the baby being too big and that the chance of rupture goes up the farther past my due date I go. She mentioned something else about my body possibly not being able to go into labor on its own, another reason to just schedule an appointment. All I wanted to say was, "You don't know me (my cervix)!" I went into labor on my own, no pitocin or other crap going into my body. I have faith in its ability - clearly, she doesn't. When I reminded her of this (which she was already told at our very first appointment, but whatevs), she said oooh, great, let's hope that big little body of yours cooperates. Cooperate this, lady!

There were a couple of other things she told me about the actual experience that ruffled my feathers, but at this point, it doesn't help to dwell on them. Instead, I am thinking positively about my labor every day. I've started working on a set of "birth wishes" to go over with my midwife at the next appointment. I have a friend from high school who recently became a doula and we've reconnected because of my pregnancy. It's been nice to have someone to chat with someone who is familiar with the birthing process and politics, as well as to vent about stuff like this that most of you could probably care less about...

The best part is that she has offered her services free of charge (if you don't count the copious amounts of cookies and flowers I'm going to give her). Adrian really doesn't care either way, but I am still weighing things. Although all modesty is lost in the delivery room, I'm still not sure how I feel about someone other than Adrian being there. I also know there might be a couple of people who feel that if anyone is going to be in the room with us, it should be them, but here's my response to that:


The use of a doula...

• Reduced the overall cesarean rate by 50%
• Reduced the length of labor by 25%
• Reduced oxytocin use by 40%
• Reduced the use of pain medication by 30%
• Reduced forceps deliveries by 40%
• Reduced requests for epidural pain medication by 60%
• Reduced incidences of maternal fever
• Reduced the number of days newborns spent in NICU (neo-natal infant care unit)
• Reduced the amount of septic workups performed on newborns
• Resulted in higher rates of breastfeeding
• Resulted in more positive maternal assessments of maternal confidence
• Resulted in more positive maternal assessments of maternal and newborn health
• Resulted in decreased rates of postpartum depression 

In the long run, I care most about having a healthy baby and secondly, to having a baby without having a huge hole cut into my stomach (on that note, has anyone ever watching a video of a c-section. All I have to say is HELL TO THE NO. And, how in the world did Adrian watch it go down?)

I'm going to win this battle, Kaiser! I'm coming prepared!