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Moms Forums: 1st Trimester Post a New Topic Reply to this Post Natural Birth at Mount Sinai in Toronto? Posted By: RainbowButterfly Views: 2146 Last Post: 02-25-2010 19:52 Replies: 3 I just found out that I'm pregnant and I'm trying to decide which hospital to deliver in. My family doctor (at the Family and Community Health Center at Toronto Western) doesn't do deliveries. She wants to recommend me to another doctor in the University Health Network of Hospitals. The delivery would take place at Mount Sinai. I know that Mount Sinai is known for excellence in high risk pregnancies, but I'm low risk and it's really important to me to have a completely natural birth. I'm afraid that the doctors and nurses at Mount Sinai would be more prone to suggest extra measures. Does anyone have experience having a natural birth at Mount Sinai? Are the doctors and nurses supportive? What do the delivery rooms look like? I'm also considering the possibility of a midwife, but I'm a little nervous since this is my first baby. Any help or suggestions would be great! I'm stressing this one! Reply: Carly Wendler Replied on: 03-01-2010 23:28 Hi, Congratulations on your pregnancy! such an exciting time :) If you are interested in a natural birth I would recommend seeking out the care of a midwife. There are many good resources available to introduce and familiarize yourself with the benefits of midwifery care and the differences between a midwife and OB. I would start with a consultation with several midwives to meet them and see if their philosophy of birth fits with yours (as every practitioner is different); I recommend also doing the same type of interview with OBs (if that is a consideration for you). I found The Business of Being Born (a dvd) helpful in outlining the differences between the two systemsto pregnancy and birth. Mount Sinai does do natural births but you are most likely to get that experience if you have midwifery care. OBs are often constrained by hospital policy and schedules and most often end up intervening with the birth process at some point. I have attended births there as a Naturopathic Doctor during deilvery for patients of mine and have seen that it is possible, although they were exposed to interventions that interfered with a 100% natural and normal birth. The nurses and Doctors were mostly absent during the process and were only in the room to do exams or catch the baby. Midwives in Ontario (not sure about other provinces) have hospital privileges, including Mount Sinai. Reply: Sarah Replied on: 03-15-2010 16:40 Congratulations on your pregnancy. I'm expecting my second child and I delivered my first naturally at a Toronto hospital with a midwife. (It was St. Mike's, not Mount Sinai). I'm so glad I had a midwife. They -- there were actually two in the room during my labour and delivery -- were very supportive and encouraging, especially during those rough patches when I thought it would never end. They suggested different positions to help the labour along and even held my hand during contractions. I was able to deliver naturally, but I liked the security of being in a hospital in case there were any complications or I needed some pain relief. I'm using a midwife again with my second pregnancy and I plan to deliver in hospital. Hope this helps. Reply: Rebecca Replied on: 06-09-2010 19:06 Hi There, Congratulations on your pregnancy and it's great to hear you want to try a natural childbirth. I had both my children naturally with a midwife (not at Mount Sinai) and it was amazing. Another great resource would be to seek out a doula, which is a professional birth and labour support person. I am just finishing my certification as a doula and am offering my services free of charge until I gain more experience. A doula can help you with position changes, massage, or any comfort or support measures for you (and your partner). I can also help you with some postpartum care and breastfeeding support. Studies have actually shown that the presence of a doula cuts the rate of c-sections, forceps, episiotemy and many other interventions in half. Usually a doula ranges from $800-1200, but like I said if you're interested I would offer my services free of charge. If it's something you would be interested in, please e-mail me at arpacrone@gmail.com and we can discuss it further. Good luck with whatever decision you make! Your body is an amazing, powerful thing and you will be great at birthing your baby. Rebecca Post a New Topic Reply to this Post

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