I was looking on the one of the local hospital's websites for a CPR class, and I found an article about the renovating and new construction that's going on at the hospital in the mother and baby department! I was really excited about this, don't ask me why! :)
Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) was where my son was born. It was not my hospital of choice, since I had heard many horror stories of people contracting infections and such while in the hospital. Anyways, I ultimately made the decision to be induced there, mainly because of my fear of going into labor while the doctor I strongly disliked was on call. Anyways, it was a great experience at EIRMC. Everyone was great, and I thought it was a good environment to have a baby, and I felt safe. I do have to say it was much older than the hospital I had originally chosen to deliver, and it was a little smaller.
This new plan for EIRMC is adding on 24,000 sqft to the mother and baby unit, including revamping the NICU (Newborn Intensive care unit) so that it is the most technologically advanced in Eastern Idaho. There are a shocking 16 babies on average in the EIRMC NICU and it's only supposed to accomidate for half that. So, it will be bigger and better, and that brings good news to women who need a NICU, the chances of them having to have their babies lifelighted to Utah are way less. They also plan to add on 10 more labor and delivery rooms and remodel all the current rooms. It is supposed to take approx. 20 months starting this spring.
I don't know it it will close down that part of the hospital during remodel or not...there is another hospital right across the street, but their labor and delivery area is always full to the brim. Hmm. We shall see. Anywho, that was just exciting to me that they're revamping that stuff. EIRMC has gotten kinda a bad rep for things, but I think they do an excellent job, and they are more reasonably priced than many others in the area. I give it 4 stars! ****
I've had the unfortunate pleasure of being seen by MANY doctors in only the last 4 years... I think I've seen a total of 10ish OBGYNs in the last 4 years, and it is discouraging to me that I have not found one that I would recommend to my friends, one that I feel has my interests at heart, and someone who sees me as more than their paycheck. It is frustrating to me, that doctors are so quick to prescribe medication to fix everything, and that most of the time they don't listen.
This doesn't have anything to do with TTC, but I just took my 2 year old to the doctor because he would be in extreme pain every time he had a bowel movement. I mean, screaming bloody murder pain, and sometimes he would blister and just have random bleeding out the rectum. Sorry if this is TMI...just trying to give you a summary of what's wrong. Anyways, it's been going on for more than a month, and it doesn't matter if is a soft or hard poop, he still screams. And he is not constipated, because he goes regularly every day pretty much. So, I finally schedule him an appointment and my usual doctor is not there. I guess I can say he is one doctor I like... he has been my son's doctor since he was in the hospital at birth... anyways, he wasn't there, but being so desperate to get my baby boy some relief, I agreed to meet with another doctor. BIG MISTAKE! I explained the situation to him, he lays my son down on the little table thing, and does some feeling around in his abdomen. He says, "He's probably just constipated. Try mixing a stool softener into his juice in the morning and that should fix it." I explained that it was not constipation, and the doc basically just stared at me like, "I'm the doctor and this is what I say it is, Give him a stool softener." So, I was getting irritated that he wouldn't listen or even consider anything else. So I rudely asked (yes, I know I was being rude, but I didn't care by that point) "So what do I do about the blisters and random bleeding coming from inside of him?" His anwer... DIAPER RASH CREAM! As far as I know, that is for EXTERNAL use only...and I think the problem is inside. Then before asking if there was any other questions, he just walked out of the room and I was left to escort myself out of the office. Anywho... I was/am so mad at that waste of time, and I plan to go back on Thursday to talk to my usual doctor and even file a complaint against this guy. 
Anywho...it made me think about doctors in general and the overall experience I've had with them. I've comprised a lit of everything I would like to see in a doctor, so if you'd like, read it, add to it, customize it. These are just things I want, and plan to ask the doctors as I choose the next doctor for my next pregnancy. It's best to decide on a doctor before hand, that way you are not rushed into picking one just to get medical care.
1. I want a female doctor. From my experience, they are a little more sympathetic to my feelings. 
2. I want a doctor that will deliver at the hospital of my choice. I'm surprised at how many doctors deliver at only one hospital in town...
3. I want an OBGYN that is more like a midwife. I want one who is trained as an OBGYN but puts more emphasis on me and the birth, rather than making it just a job. I want someone who can stick with me through any complications and not have to pass me over to a strange doctor if I need more serious care.
4. I want a doctor who is patient. They knew what they were signing up for when they got their job... I don't want a Dr. who wants to cut me at 8cm just so I'll deliver faster so he can go home. That's your job buddy, deal with it.
5. I am not against Vacuums or forceps persay, but I'd like to avoid them if possible. I need my Dr. to understand that, and give my body a chance to do what it's designed to do.
6. I want my OBGYN to be proactive about helping me keep a pregnancy. I want frequent monitoring of my pregnancy.
7. I want my doctor to do the ultrasounds, not an ultrasound tech, OR I would like my doctor to be present for ultrasounds. Past UTsweren't as personable, because they know nothing about me.
8. I want a doctor that is pro-herbal/natural medicines. I'm no hippy, and I like my epidural, but I want a doc who's supportive of taking a natural approach to medicine and feeling good.
9. I want a doctor that calls me back with my lab results, not some 18 year old receptionist who knows nothing about what she is telling me.
10. And lastly, I'd like a doctor to speak kindly about me at all times. I've had doctors who will step outside and talk to a nurse and speak badly about me, not realizing I can hear him through the door.
I just want a doctor who is worth keeping. I hear stories about how women love their doctors and stay with them for years, and even have their kids see them when they have babies. I want a keeper doctor.
But for now the search continues!
Please excuse my absence yesterday, one of my best friends went in to labor yesterda
y morning 19 days early. I was at her side through the entire birth, helping her, counting for her, and just being supportive. This is the only other birth I've ever been involved in- besides my own, and I have to say I am even more sure that I want to be a L&D Nurse. It was absolutely amazing and just reminded me why we women go through what we do. All the pain and headache of TTC, the 9- almost 10 months of being uncomfortable and forgetful, and 30-40 pounds heavier, and the excruciating hours of labor and then the birth, is for that little baby we've worked so hard towards, and I have to say it's a small price to pay for that little miracle. Congrats to my friend she did an amazing job with no epidural (it wore off) and she now has a new little family, and the baby is seriously small and very beautiful!
