Need natural childbirth friendly OBGYN (hypnobirthing hopefully) (Austin, Center: ob-gyn, home)

[kdrvest]

I have a 19 month old who was birthed using Hypnobirthing. It is a natural childbirth technique that focuses on deep relaxation, breathing, and limiting medical intervention when possible. I used Women Partners in Health last time, specifically Dr. Swenson. I didn't like her and am looking for a new doc to support my natural birthing for my second. Please give me all your recommendations! I just visited Shannon Abikhaled who seems very nice and ok with the natural childbirth idea but was pretty firm about inducing if I passed the 41 week mark. My son was 10 days "late". I don't want to be induced within 42 weeks when 50% of babies are born between 40-42 weeks.

Thanks in advance. FYI, I am in North Austin so something more north or central is better than south but if that is where the best is...I might be willing to drive.

[jhwest]

I don't have any doctor recommendations since I don't live in Austin (yet!). But I had my fifth baby through hypnobirth. She was an induction since my previous baby was still-born and the doctors didn't want to take any chances. Even though I was induced I was still able to do the Hypnobirth with no problem. So don't let it worry you if you do have to be induced. It's still completely possible.
My only advice would be to keep practicing (maybe even redo the class) before your next baby. My fifth and sixth babies were only 14 months apart so I figured the hypnobirth stuff was still fresh in my mind, so I didn't do much practicing ahead of time. What a disaster! I just could not stay on top of the contractions (I mean surges). It was awful. I ended up getting an epidural. So moral of the story: keep practicing your relaxation exercises!

[karen_Zab]

Delivered at home so don't have any personal experience with an OB/GYN but I've heard great things about Dr. Love who delivers at St David's on 32nd.

K

[atlanta hope]

Have you posted on Mothering.com's - Find Your Tribe - Texas section of their discussion board? I'd recommend it to get some good info.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by karen_Zab

Delivered at home so don't have any personal experience with an OB/GYN but I've heard great things about Dr. Love who delivers at St David's on 32nd.
K

My wife had both kids all natural, no drugs period. One at the Brackenridge ABC (Alternative Birthing Center) which is sadly no longer there (not enough births to justify it) and the second at home with a mid-wife.

There are many mid-wifes in Austin.

Steve

[jjdockrich]

christina sebestyen in north austin is WONDERFUL. she delivered her baby using hypnobirthing 2 years ago and she is a huge advocate of natural birth. she delivers at north austin med center. she delivered my boy in may 2007, it was a completely drug free labor and she was very supportive. I strongly recommend her.

[RND]

I second Christina Sebestyen.

[csebestyen]

I am an obgyn who just joined this forum and saw your posting. Unfortunately, many of the doctors in Austin will not allow their patients to use Hypnobirthing or the Bradley method - Renaissance Group included. I do not quite understand this, because I used Hypnobirthing myself and found my meditative breathing and focusing exercises invaluable. I encourage all of my patients to take a natural birthing class - Hypnobirthing, Bradley, or Birthing from Within. That education is so essential to a positive, successful birthing process.

In regarding to induction, I do not induce until 42 weeks unless there is a problem with mom or baby. Unfortunately, it seems that inductions even below 39 weeks for social reasons are becoming incredibly common. This is against the American College of Ob/Gyn standard of care, and truly beyond me.

If you are still in need of a physician, please send me a reply. Best of luck with your pregnancy.

Christina Sebestyen, MD

[elmstreetschool]

I have to recommend Marimikel Penn at New Life Birth Center. She has training of both conventional and alternative methods, and has delivered a lot of babies. Her birth class is extraordinary. I don't know if she does hypnobirthing but she could point you in the right direction.

Marimikel attended all three of my kids' births, one at home, one at the birth center, and one emergency transport (premature). All were unmedicated and relatively uncomplicated deliveries. I am convinced that a conventional ob/hospital setup would have definitely induced the first two, unnecessarily.

I agree with Dr. Sebestyen: I can't believe how many people I meet are choosing inductions and planned C-sections, just because it is their due date. Whatever option you choose it's vital to educate yourself about the process and find the best prenatal care you can. In Austin there are a lot of options.

If you choose a hospital birth I would recommend St. David's. My experience there was good and they have an excellent NICU. But I still would prefer homebirth if given the choice.

[mrsrivas]

Dr. Sebestyen, your example is so comforting and reassuring. This is my first pregnancy (I will deliver by the time I'm 36, so by regular obstetric standards I'm considered "old" ).

My husband and I are looking forward to a hypnobirth experience. Aware as we may be of complications that could arise, we would like to choose a practitioner that would comfort and reassure us instead of scaring us into invasive (and possibly avoidable) procedures.

I am now 20.6 weeks pregnant approx. (May 8, 2009) and our estimated birthing date is sometime after mid September through the first week of October 2009.

We might possibly give birth in Lexington (KY) or New York City (Manhattan, precisely). I am toying with the thought of a home birth (both for the relaxed environment and the cost $$$).

Choosing a specialist that supports hypnobirthing is a priority for us right now. Would you happen to know a fellow Ob-Gyn in any of these two areas (Lexington or NY)?

Thank you for your time.

Martha and Hernando

Originally Posted by csebestyen

I am an obgyn who just joined this forum and saw your posting. Unfortunately, many of the doctors in Austin will not allow their patients to use Hypnobirthing or the Bradley method - Renaissance Group included. I do not quite understand this, because I used Hypnobirthing myself and found my meditative breathing and focusing exercises invaluable. I encourage all of my patients to take a natural birthing class - Hypnobirthing, Bradley, or Birthing from Within. That education is so essential to a positive, successful birthing process.

In regarding to induction, I do not induce until 42 weeks unless there is a problem with mom or baby. Unfortunately, it seems that inductions even below 39 weeks for social reasons are becoming incredibly common. This is against the American College of Ob/Gyn standard of care, and truly beyond me.

If you are still in need of a physician, please send me a reply. Best of luck with your pregnancy.

Christina Sebestyen, MD