Amazing Obstetrician

So, check this out!

I could only dream of having an obstetrician who was this caring and open minded. My own ob was terrific and I love her. But she is like most doctors-set in her ways. I never thought to ask about pitocin at one of my appointments.

I figured if my labor stalled or I needed an induction, the topic would arise. I never thought that the virtual moment I walked into my LDR room I'd be started on a drip. The nurse typed in my info, checked my cervix, started me on iv fluids, and strapped the monitor on. Once I had a few contractions, the nurse told me they would give me a little pitocin, just to "tighten my contractions up to 2-3 min apart" as opposed to the respectable 3-5 which they had been. I tried to protest, citing that I'd rather walk if my contractions needed upping. Nononononono, I was told. I was to lie there so that they could get good readings on the baby and make sure he was responding well. Basically, "don't rock the boat." The nurse assured me that once my contractions got going they could taper me off of the pitocin. Ok...... A few hours later I found my pitocin being upped by the second shift nurse. At this point, has my doctor even seen me? No, but apparently my labor isn't hopping along fast enough. Will definately be making a point to discuss this issue early on with the next pregnancy.

I thought obs who believed in hypnosis, and labor without epidurals in general were just like unicorns- nice to imagine, but not real. It makes me think about finding another doctor. I do love my doctor. She's very nice, makes a point to ask me if I have questions, and even prods me if I don't ask much. She was very encouraging during the actual delivery, and checked up on me quite a few times after the birth. Not to mention, almost all of my female family members go to her and she attends my parents' church, so if I ever felt I had to switch...yikes!

So, what have your own childbirth experiences been like? Did your ob or midwife handle your pre-natal, labor/delivery, and postnatal care in a way that you liked? What would you have changed?