Ooh your lucky! When I see my doctor, she will ask me about my birth plan ... And encourage an epidural the whole time. I have told her a few times that I wanted to try to stay natural as long as possible through the labor. But she still keeps suggesting the epi. I know that if I cant handle the pain, I dont have a problem with getting the epi, but on my birth plan, it specifies that I must request it. I dont want it offered to me.

My aunt lives in Newark... I'm pretty sure she had one of her children at Washington Hospital.

I was VERY picky about which doctor I chose, for that reason. We are taking the Bradley Birth Classes too. I'm more scared of drugs than I am of labor and giving birth!

I'm not happy with my doctor... She never tells me anything, she just does her job and tell me everything is fine. Last time I had an internal because I had strong braxton hicks, but otherwise it's just the measuring + pee in a cup + weight + baby's heart.

What also makes me mad is, I saw her 3 weeks ago, had another appointment on the 14th of feb, couldn't go and she couldn't reschedule me until my next appointment which is march 4th... When I said it's a 6 weeks gap in between 2 appointments and I'm 32 weeks, her secretary carelessly said : well if there's anything wrong just go to the emergency. Shitty service.

Aww that sucks MissJess! I would be hecka mad if they couldn't schedule me in at all. Thats skipping an entire appt! And if its your first, how are you supposed to know if something is seriously wrong?! I called in between appointments because I was so worried about the pressure and really strong painful BH's. She still didn't check.

And HollDoll, I think I'm more scared of the epi than labor too!! LOL! Thats a good idea to take the classes, I've taken 2 classes so far, and have one more left to take. I'm delivering at San Ramon Regional Med Center, which is a really nice hospital, and I like it. Although I haven't done my tour yet! Its scheduled for next Tuesday. I did the tour at my old hospital, and haven't done this one yet!

I did my first tour at 20 weeks and I'm going to do another one at 30 weeks. I don't think they like you to do that, but I don't care. Like I said, I'm paying them!

Good for you! You need to feel comfortable with the hospital you are delivering at. Yours & your babies health is in there hands, and you have the right to visit as many times as you need beforehand!