Finally, something good.

[ghoulsis]

I got a call back from the nurse. She told me that the doctors are very much the let-nature-take-its-course type of OBs. They serve as the physician backups for local midwives (where the hell are these midwives hiding, I wonder? They sure don't advertise in the phone book... I've looked!) They encourage movement during labor and even have birthing balls and a squat bar available upon request. They have two staff members trained as doulas. They rarely use forceps or vacuum extraction, their c-section rate is less than 10% (the national average exceeds 25%), and they do not believe in routine episiotomies. If Natto is screaming and pink when s/he comes out, they'll put him/her right on my belly immediately so we can begin bonding and feeding. She told me the docs are very supportive of minimal-intervention birth, which is what I want.

I feel very good about this change. I've already called the other place and asked to have my records sent. I'm so, so, so relieved. I really think this is best for me and Natto.