So Andy and I have been attending birth classes and doctors appointments at the hospital closest to us (like 20 mins from home) that we felt was the best choice for us. The midwives there are awesome and we were excited to have them deliver our baby boy. They have been setting up "group appointments" (different from Birth Prep classes as seen on previous post) which helped us get to know other first time parents and share questions on what to expect and so on. One thing mentioned was to prepare a Birth Plan to give to your provider (my midwives in this case) so they know what your wishes are for your labor and delivery choices. For example: You would make note on the Birth Plan if you would like the father to cut the cord or not; or you would like skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth with the baby, and that you would like to breastfeed as soon as possible afterwards or the opposite, to bottle feed and use pacifiers. Also other postpartum choices like if we choose to circumcise the boy there at the hospital or not... So of course I also wanted to add our stance of NO BLOOD in any case of an emergency or surgery. So I added it to our Birth Plan as well as a copy of my DPA attached to it. (Mind you this would have not been the first time I mentioned my stance. From day one when I first started attending this hospital I filled out a paper that asked if I accepted blood or not and what religion I was. Also, when seen by the nurse for the first time, she asked me again in person and recorded it in the computer.) I was going to hand the Birth Plan over to them on the next appointment.
This past Tuesday, we had another "group appointment" with our midwife and they wanted to go over the hospital admittance forms with us. (Especially since most in the group are getting close to their due date. Ours is December 21st). On that form it asked again if we accepted blood transfusions or not. When they got to that part of the form my midwife said to the group, "If you mark 'no blood transfusion' then I can not deliver your baby". I was in shock. I told her that I was told that this hospital was known to have bloodless procedures. She said that it's true that the "name" of the hospital is known to in other locations but not this particular hospital. She said we would have to go to another hospital (same "name") but in Seattle (which is 40-45 mins away from us without traffic). There is where bloodless procedures are done. At this time we didn't know what else to say at the moment since we were in a group and didn't want to start anything. So we waited until after the appointment to talk to her again.
We followed her to her office, and on the way up in the elevator I had to speak up again because I just couldn't wait anymore. "I don't understand, I mentioned this in the beginning when I first started attending here that I do not accept blood. Why am I just hearing this now?" She apologized for the confusion. Then asked, "What concerns do you have about it?" I told her that first off there are so many risks and problems that could happen with the transfusion, even the form we were to fill out listed them all! But also it's a religious matter and that I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. She quickly looked at me and said, "Your a Jehovah's Witness?" She said it more in a shocking tone then a derogatory way. Then we got off the elevator and entered her office. (It's after hours now in the hospital, and no one is in the offices except us.) We sat and talked more about it. She explained that it's not just her but mainly that the hospital itself does not accept patients that do not want blood since they are not equipped to do so. I told her that I can't believe that this "new, cutting edge" hospital is still stuck on blood transfusions which is so outdated. There are so many new things out there now that can be used instead. She said she didn't know what it will take to make that hospital "bloodless" ready. In the meantime, we had to start a new plan on what to do next. So she helped us with info on different doctors that might suit our needs and will deliver our baby at the other hospital. We thanked her for her understanding and hugged her. We've gotten so close and comfortable with her that it was sad to leave and get a new doctor.
So now it hits us on our ride back home. "We are going to a new hospital we do not know... that's now farther away. And with doctors we haven't met yet. Would our insurance cover this too? Do we have enough time to switch and get everything ready before I deliver?" It's an overwhelming feeling that comes over us and all we can do now is pray and leave it in Jehovah's hands...
The next morning I knew what I was doing that day... Researching, making phone calls and appointments. I wanted to look for another midwife first (then an OB if that didn't pan out) that delivered at the Seattle hospital. After praying to Jehovah, I started calling from a list on that Seattle hospital website. What I didn't notice is that these midwives/OB doctors are not directly affiliated with the hospital so they can choose to accept your insurance or not; be bloodless or not, regardless of what the hospital allows. So it made it more difficult. I would ask first if they accepted my insurance, and try to make an appointment to meet the midwife or doctor. But I was getting turned down each time since my insurance is government issued and not all accept it. Then finally I called another group (or clinic) that DID accept my insurance! So I scheduled a time to meet with the OB. Shortly after, they called back and asked why exactly I am transferring so late in the pregnancy. So I explained honestly about the blood issue. She then said that her clinic of OBs does not do bloodless procedures. WELL GREAT.
By now I feel like we've hit a wall. Then Andy called one of our elders to get the number of the Hospital Liaison Committee. SOMEONE must know where to go or which doctor to use that does bloodless surgeries. We can't be the only Witnesses in Washington that have had a baby. The brother said he actually knew a sister that worked at that Seattle hospital and she happens to be a Blood Management Specialist that helps patients who prefer bloodless procedures. She recommended a team of doctors that are in the bloodless program! So immediately we called her and made arrangements to meet. She then explained to us that the previous hospital DID have a bloodless program BUT not for pregnancy/delivery. They are not equipped for this kind of situation.
We made an appointment with one of the OBs at the Seattle hospital that not only does bloodless procedures but also accepts our insurance! We also got to tour the birth center in that hospital to familiarize ourselves with it. All set up after ONE day! Only Jehovah can make things move so quickly and he gives the best.
By now I feel like we've hit a wall. Then Andy called one of our elders to get the number of the Hospital Liaison Committee. SOMEONE must know where to go or which doctor to use that does bloodless surgeries. We can't be the only Witnesses in Washington that have had a baby. The brother said he actually knew a sister that worked at that Seattle hospital and she happens to be a Blood Management Specialist that helps patients who prefer bloodless procedures. She recommended a team of doctors that are in the bloodless program! So immediately we called her and made arrangements to meet. She then explained to us that the previous hospital DID have a bloodless program BUT not for pregnancy/delivery. They are not equipped for this kind of situation.
We made an appointment with one of the OBs at the Seattle hospital that not only does bloodless procedures but also accepts our insurance! We also got to tour the birth center in that hospital to familiarize ourselves with it. All set up after ONE day! Only Jehovah can make things move so quickly and he gives the best.
Below are some pics of me at 34 weeks.
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