I don't know why. I guess I'm sexist. I don't want a male OB/GYN. I just...don't. Unfortunately, there were only 5 options on the list of OB/GYN's that are covered by my insurance, as opposed to 20 or 30 male doctors. Weird.
Danny and I strongly believe that any man who decides he wants to look at womens' vaginas for his living is a little bit strange. I'm sure many (if not most), are competent, caring, knowledgable, wonderful doctors. But you can still be all those things and still be a bit strange.
So...I started calling the female OB/GYN's.
"Um, our OB/GYN's choose not to practice OB right now. Sorry."
2 down, 3 to go.
"Dr. Grover is full, but our other doctors aren't..."
"Um, are they male?"
"Yes."
"Well...um...I'm sorry but I think I'll keep looking."
"No problem! Good luck."
3 down. Now I'm worried.
I looked online and the only two left work at the same clinic in American Fork. It's kind of ridiculous that I would have to drive all the way 30 minutes north instead of using facilities that are literally 5 minutes from my house, but distance is not my priority. I want a woman doctor.
When I called the clinic, the answering-thing that directs you to press numbers for different services said that one of the female Doctors is on leave until Fall 2009.
1 more.
I got the answering machine
Now what?
CNM - Certified Nurse Midwives - are covered through the BYU student health insurance.
Obviously, not all midwives are the same. Law midwives don't have to complete nursing school. CNM's do. Basically, the only difference between a CNM and an OB is that CNM's can't perform C-sections.
Now, I'm not all into the whole alternative medicine, no-pain-killer births. I mean, if you are, that's your prerogative. I just feel now that I will want the option of having an epidural, of birthing in a hospital or clinic, of modern medecine. Danny feels strongly the same way.
I looked online at the CNM options. There was a female CNM listed at the Central Orem Health Center. I googled her name to find more information. I also looked up her peers at ratemd.com. They had great reviews. The one complaint for their clinic is the wait time. All of the posts agreed that the doctors there were friendly, helpful, caring, and knowledgeable.
I don't care if I will have to wait. Maybe later, when it is my 7th or 8th child (hmm...can't see that far), I will feel differently.
The perks to having this CNM is that she is the only CNM at her clinic. An OB/GYN is always available. I will deliver there, not at home. I will have all the benefits of both the care and modern medicine. I feel very good about this decision. Especially knowing that she is also a certified nurse.
I won't have my first appointment for another 5 weeks. I think that's okay. If there are problems, I can change that. Probably there won't be. I will be 10 weeks pregnant by then.
Which is silly, because the baby will only be 8 weeks old. How can I be 10 weeks pregnant when the baby is only 8 weeks old??? Weird.
I know that the best way to research this would be to ASK people, but unfortunately I don't think other people seem to share in this, my number one top priority. So. I don't want people to be insulted when they tell me to go to Dr. so-and-so or Dr. so-and-so, but I have already ruled them out because of their gender. I think I'm allowed to be picky about this. And even if I'm not, seriously who's stopping me?
1 comment:
Hi Kate! Heather here, your cousin. I found this post very interesting. As a mother who's had experience with two children and two different doctors (one male one female) I'd like to offer my opinion.
When I was pregnant with Noah I felt the same way you do. I went out of my way to find a female doctor. I did not have a good experience with her. For my second I went on the recommendations of others and found a male doctor. He's the best doctor I've ever had. He will be my doctor for the rest my babies.
Aside from the medical profession being dominated by males I also think there is another reason there are so many male OBs. Just like women having maternal instincts built into their DNA I think men have an instinct to take care of and protect women. They don't choose to be OBs because they like to look at female parts, that would make them perverts. They do it because they want to look after and protect women and children.
Women OBs tend to be less caring, in my experience, and more detached. The male doctors I've had show a genuine interest in my well being and in listening to what I want. I'm not saying there aren't good female doctors out there but I have yet to see one and I've seen many. Every male doctor I've had I've liked. So, I would recommend trying to be open minded. The most important thing is for you and your baby to have the best care. Love ya!
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