Well, this time around, Susan isn't nearly as sick as she was the first time. Of course she is tired and can't keep all her food down, but it's not as bad. The hardest part this time around is choosing a doctor or midwife.
Though it was hard, Susan and I are fans of natural childbirth, and we'd like to find a practitioner who will support us. Susan is a member of a few online forums for mothers in our area, and she's asked if anybody on those groups knows of a doctor or midwife who is natural minded. The results of these inquiries has been a bit depressing. Our options are either midwives at West Suburban Hospital or a homebirth with Homefirst.
Now, we were very happy with Homefirst for Karen's birth. When Karen was born, they billed insurance and we were settled. Now, however, they bill insurance and charge a $2,000 "Home Fee," which is not billable to insurance. Given that even with the pretty good insurance we have we will already be paying around $1,500 in deductibles, an extra $2,000 is quite a hit. There is a lot we could do with $2,000.
The other option is midwives at West Suburban Hospital. They have some really great labor and delivery rooms, and women can even deliver in the waterbirth tub. And we really like the midwives we have met who practice there. The biggest problem with West Suburban is that it is an hour away. While we probably should be more worried about driving an hour during labor, we really don't want to have to drive an hour for all the prenatal appointments. That would be really hard on both Susan and Karen.
Upon visiting one of the midwives and explaining our issues with Homefirst, one of them
said "It's really too bad that women are losing another great option
for childbirth. I wonder if Dr. Eisenstein knows how many women have
come in here since he started the concierge fee?" It is strangely comforting to know that we are not alone in our frustrations.
So please pray for us that we will make a decision and feel peace about our decision.
Thank you!
Though it was hard, Susan and I are fans of natural childbirth, and we'd like to find a practitioner who will support us. Susan is a member of a few online forums for mothers in our area, and she's asked if anybody on those groups knows of a doctor or midwife who is natural minded. The results of these inquiries has been a bit depressing. Our options are either midwives at West Suburban Hospital or a homebirth with Homefirst.
Now, we were very happy with Homefirst for Karen's birth. When Karen was born, they billed insurance and we were settled. Now, however, they bill insurance and charge a $2,000 "Home Fee," which is not billable to insurance. Given that even with the pretty good insurance we have we will already be paying around $1,500 in deductibles, an extra $2,000 is quite a hit. There is a lot we could do with $2,000.
The other option is midwives at West Suburban Hospital. They have some really great labor and delivery rooms, and women can even deliver in the waterbirth tub. And we really like the midwives we have met who practice there. The biggest problem with West Suburban is that it is an hour away. While we probably should be more worried about driving an hour during labor, we really don't want to have to drive an hour for all the prenatal appointments. That would be really hard on both Susan and Karen.
Upon visiting one of the midwives and explaining our issues with Homefirst, one of them
said "It's really too bad that women are losing another great option
for childbirth. I wonder if Dr. Eisenstein knows how many women have
come in here since he started the concierge fee?" It is strangely comforting to know that we are not alone in our frustrations.
So please pray for us that we will make a decision and feel peace about our decision.
Thank you!
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