[*krista*]

I'm completely lost. I had a hospital in mind but they don't do waterbirths. Now I'm not so sure. I figure you either pick a place to give birth then pick a doc that works there, or pick a doc then give birth wherever they practice. How did you pic your hospital and/or doctor?

I need to pick a doctor and make an appointment, but I am probably going to pick my doc based on where he/she practices since I don't already have one in mind.

[Chelnae6]

I just picked the hospital that was closest to me.

I went to an OB that was recommended by my SIL without considering where she delivered.

Then I decided I wanted a water birth and switched to a practice at a birthing center - the only place where I could get a water birth. I saw a series of midwifes there.

I also made sure the back-up with the midwifery center (their OB consults for women that end up becoming high risk - which happened to me) were acceptable, and that the hospital that high riskers would end up being transferred to was acceptable.

Of course I ended up transferring and having serious interventions, but I did still get the midwife at the hospital. So I recommend first picking a delivery place that is ideal, then choosing you pick of the providers that deliver there. And always keep in mind the back-ups should that happen, and make sure they are acceptable too. Then your bases should be covered!

[Frozendesire]

My family doctor referred me to the clinic. It was close to my house and he had gone to school with one of the doctors. I love my family doctor so I totally trusted his choice. He made a GREAT decision because I LOVED the clinic. I had a wonderful experience.

We only have one hospital here that was just built last Aug. It was so beautiful. I can not wait to give birth again! haha.

[SandKmommy]

I have 1 choice so it was easy. Our hospital is a Birthing Center so they have many options of birth (not like I had much of a choice with either..S had to be induced for MEDICAL reasons and K was c-section because we didnt like the risks of a version and she would have been induced too for GD also)

[**jessie**]

For the OBGYN, we got a recommendation from DH's cousin. This doc used to live in Canada for several years, so she speaks English (my biggest priority)!! It's only a one doc practice, which I like so I'm guaranteed to see the same one every time. I also picked her because she does ultrasounds in her office at every appointment. It's different over here- the docs you see throughout pregnancy do not delivery babies so there was no concern over which hospital she worked at.

We were still undecided about hospitals until recently. We have an older one 15 minutes away and a much more modern one 35 minutes away. When I suddenly had to go to the hospital with PTL, the 35 minute one was the only choice as they had a level 3 NICU and were the only ones that would be capable of delivering a preemie. Since I know all the docs there now, I will be going back there for the delivery. Ours has a birthing tub in one room, but you're not guaranteed to be able to use it (depends on if its occupied or not).

[*vi]

I'm so glad that when I get pregnant I don't have to switch doctors. My family doc (who delivered both me and my sister) will by my OBGYN, unless he retires before then, but I told him he's not allowed.... lol

[ANGWife]

I like our nearby hospital. And my OB/GYN already worked there.

[Mars]

Well, I guess your question doesn't really apply to us living outside the US but I still want to get in on it! My choice was easy since we only have 1 birthing centre, 1 public hospital and 1 private hospital. The only option for a waterbirth was the birthing centre.

[**jessie**]

I just realized I didn't really answer your question... typical me! If I were you I would choose your OB first and then pick the hospital based on your docs suggestions. You will spend much much more time with your OB than you will at the hospital (hopefully), so I think that is the most important factor.

[*krista*]

Thanks for all the great advice ladies!! I originally thought I would give birth at a hospital, but I think I need to consider birthing centers too.

Does anyone know if birthing centers are covered by insurance?

[Oriyan]

I wanted to stick with my OB and she delivered at only 1 hospital. Then i switched to the midwives and I had my choice of 3 hospitals but the other 2 were too far away.

[szczepanski]

Unfortunately, we don't have any birthing centers in the area. We do have one in Syracuse which is about 1.5 hours away......but that just isn't worth it to me.

I knew I wanted to go with a midwife and that was more important to me than where I delivered, so I went with my gut and ended up lucking out. The group I chose has privileges at both hospitals but they have a preference of the hospital that I love. Its more of a community hospital, but still has the high tech abilities of the larger hospital.

Don't forget that you can ALWAYS change your mind. If you choose the OB based on where they deliver and you don't like them, you can always go to a different one.

If having a water birth is really important to you, I would call your birthing center and ask them what they suggest, who they work with, etc. Then you can work out from there.

[**Jenn**]

With Liam I chose the hospital first and then the physician group that took my insurance. My insurance at the time was limiting on what hospital I could go to so it was an easy pick.

With Lochy I knew I didn't want to be at a hospital or have an OB so I looked into birthing centers. There is only one free standing birth center in PA and I just so happened to live only 25 minutes away so I was stoked! I love all the midwives there and couldn't have been happier. We did end up moving in my 36th week so we were farther away than before but still worth it. So worth it that I'm back there for this baby even though it's an hour and fifteen minute drive (with no traffic). Here's hoping I don't deliver this baby in the car!

[Angelaosaurus-rex]

My sister gave birth at The Woodlands hospital and hated it!!! So don't go there lol!

[freesiangel]

I chose my doctor first - it was easy, I loved my family practitioner and knew she's who I wanted. However, I also don't have any other choices (no midwives, etc. nearby). We also only have 1 hospital and no birth centers, so I don't really get a choice on that front.

[soImarriedAnerd]

It depends on your insurance company...mine covered home birth/Birthing centers/hospitals. I picked my location then my provider...only because I wanted a water birth. However if you can't find a place that will let you do one then I would pick provider first because its actually the PROVIDER who's order dictate what you can/can't do during labor. Yes hospitals have policies but Provider orders can over ride them.
If your looking for a more natural provider I would check with m/w first and if none you like then go to family practitioners and then LASTLY go to an OBGYN. Thats the order of best stats for natural birth. (overall that is)

[ShannonMVT]

Originally Posted by angelalesina

My sister gave birth at The Woodlands hospital and hated it!!! So don't go there lol!

There are several there right?

I know there is a birthing center in the Woodlands that does water births. I know a woman who has done all 3 of her births there. There is also a birthing center in Pearland. When I checked my insurance waaay back in the day when I was preggo the first time, it covered the birthing center in The Woodlands and that was the only one and that was too far for us to drive to.
At the time I was choosing, I wanted to use a hospital. Now looking back I think I would really like a birthing center next time.
If you don't already have an OB or midwife that you really want to use, I'd check out locations first and then find a provider. If you use a provider that will deliver at a birthing center I bet they will be more into natural childbirth if that's what you're looking for.
I don't know what area of H-town you are in. If you want to PM me I can tell you which hospital I delivered at. It was very nice I think for a hospital, just I think a birthing center would have been more what I was looking for.

[Resi]

I did some "research" while I was wttc. There is a local moms forum and I read a lot on their. Basicly I went by what other moms liked best. I picked my doc the same way.

I made sure that the hospital I picked allowed for certain things and that they had a labor tub. I made sure my doc was open to natural births and supportive. I asked a lot of questions.

[amazing_love]

I picked my OB first. She delivers at a few different places. We still haven't decided on one yet, we need to learn more about them and take a tour.