The Business of Being Born Message Board

Q: I have midwives and due to a + AFP, age and weight I was sent to a high risk doctor. Now, my last ultrasound shows the baby’s growth is smaller in the head and midsection, so they want me to give birth in Albuquerque, NM (I live three hours from there) and probably induce labor one to two weeks early. The doc said could we have measured wrong due to your size, maybe, it could be a sign of infection or placenta problems. I also have a kidney stone which is in the kidney and not moving but there’s been protein and blood in my urine from it. They wanted me on antibiotics for the last two months of my pregnancy!, which I didn’t do. I’m taking garlic oil capsules and apple cider vinegar which are natural antibiotics. Even my midwives seem so doctor-like out here in Las Vegas, NM. In Taos where I lived before they had a birthing center which was 30 seconds away from the hospital so easy to move over if necessary. I’m not thrilled about inducing labor but understand if earlier is safer for me and the baby. I wanted a water birth and could have only done it in Taos so that was out. Just concerned and wanting to have as natural a birth as I can. I’m going to go over the plans with the high risk doc about not taking my baby away and all the other things they do, but I really don’t want to induce a labor that isn’t ready to happen. Thanks for listening, any advice you have would be great. I’m 38 and weight 319 right now, am 35 weeks along.

A: There are many issues you mention and some areas where it sounds like there is still uncertainty, eg. the measurements. I support the idea of you taking natural measures to reduce the likelihood of kidney infection. Since it is unclear as to why your baby’s measurements are small, including what the high risk doctor saying about the possibility that they “measured wrong”, it’s hard to give you specific advice - obviously a healthy, abundant whole foods diet including plenty of protein, healthy fats, whole grains, and vegetables and fruit is in general ideal. You may want to consult a different high risk doctor or obstetrician for a second opinion and followup ultrasound to confirm the findings. I am familiar with the Taos birth center, and while I am not familiar with their current arrangement with medical backup, I would encourage you to connect with the midwives and
support team since they would seem more likely to be aware of supportive options that may be more consistent with your orientation towards this pregnancy and birth. Additionally, will forward your email to a colleague of mine who is an ER dr in Albuquerque to see if he has any ideas to offer - if so he will post as a response on the BOBB blog. Keep us informed and I wish you all the best!

Eden G. Fromberg, DO, FACOOG, DABHM