RainbowMum, I'm sure your employers would just think you are getting advice on how to be a better caregiver to their kids - people tend to think of themselves first. If not, its a good excuse
Lizzie, I know I wont really know what I want until I'm there and I'm trying to be flexible.
That said, I am certain on a several big things: I do not want to be induced/take pitocin/oxytocin, I don't want my labor rushed by docs, I want to avoid a C-Section unless in dire emergency (and not just 'cause labor is slow), if I had to have a c-section I want them to sew me back up in layers - this is important if you plan on getting pregnant again - but not all docs default to this, I do not want an episotomy - I'd rather tear (or hopefully not), and finally, I don't want them wisking the baby off right away (or at all).
My doc is so great - I cried a bunch and my appt lasted probably 45 minutes - and she took lots of time to answer my questions. I was honestly impressed with her responses. She said they def. stitch c-sections in layers most of the time, that she'll wait as long as I want to clamp/cut the umbilical cord (if you wait until it stops pulsing this allows baby to get some of her blood back), that she won't rush the delivery of the placenta, that her practice has no time limits on labor or phases of labor, that she'll work with me on the (in my opinion very cruel) no food/anything other than clear liquids policy, that they almost never do episiotomies, and that she advocates for the nurses to leave baby with mom. She also said I'd be allowed to labor without IV/heplock if I agreed to the risks. In general it seems that she is part of a pretty enlightened mom-focused practice. She couldn't guarantee things having to do with the baby because she won't have any authority... but she got me some names of people at the hospital to call and they said they'd try to work with me if I didn't want the baby taken away to the nursery. I'm still nervous about that part - but my doctor did say that if something happened I wasn't happy about I could call her (or the doc on call) and they'd advocate for me.
She encouraged me to check out the birthing center (which I did last night). The birthing center is really nice, by the way - I like that they have big tubs for laboring in (the buoyancy makes contractions less painful), but didn't get a strong read one way or the other about the midwife who led the tour. I might feel safer being the hospital - but I might also have to fight more to get what I want.
I do feel reassured that the doctors in my practice would listen to me/respect my labor plan/ and advocate for me. It's a hard one. I'm just giving myself time now to let the information settle and see how I feel after a few days or a week.
Erin, send me a text tomorrow afternoon with the good news (because it will be good news).
Love and Baby Dust and/or Sticky Bean Dust to all!
I never did get my progesterone checked, the silly nurse forgot to write it on the form! Your levels are also going up which is great, tell that beanie to hang in there!!!
) and if my number is still going up then it may more likely be ectopic. At this point, he doesn't even throw in the possibility that things could end up ok. Realistically I know that but it's still a hard reality.
And doing lots of bad stress eating 
I'm so sorry, Erin. We're here for you.
