The more I read the more I want to scream!  I hope you will feel the same way so I am starting a series entitled Reading & Screaming. 

O.K. most of you know about my latest adventure.  Yes, adventure!  I have ventured away from using an Ob/Gyn (whom I loved and still do; I just disagree with her)  to using a midwife in order to bring our precious Ayla into this world.  I am now in my 33rd week of pregnancy with hopefully only seven more weeks to go.  I am still doing research and reading what ever I can get me hands on.

This week I actually had a "pleasant" discussion with a few Humana (our insurance company) representatives.  I was really proud of myself.  I stayed calm and just tried to understand where they were coming from. 

I called them because they denied our request to make our midwife an in-network provider because she does not carry malpractice insurance.  After several rounds of trying to explain why I was with a midwife and why she does not carry malpractice insurance I finally gave up.  Well that's after I said there has to be some committee or something I can plead my case to.  After an hour I was finally told that something could be given to the medical director for review.

During the hour on the "merry go round" I just wanted to send the Humana representatives these two articles because they said the doctors are not allowing you to have a trial of labor because it is to dangerous and they know what's safe and not safe (I'll get more into uterine rupture at another time).

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1880665-1,00.html

and

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYD/is_3_40/ai_n11832004/

The last one is an article from 2005.  I can't imagine how it is now.  After reading these I remembered my Ob/Gyn saying that even if she wanted to do the VBA2C (******l birth after 2 cesareans) she did not think her insurance would allow her to.

After reading these do you see why I want to scream!  In a nut shell an insurance company is dictating what I can do and not do with my body.  They are making these decisions not because it is what is best for me or my child but because it is best for their bottom line.

It also goes back to the haves and have nots.  If you have enough money to pay a midwife out of pocket it's not a big deal that your insurance company with not make the midwife in-network.  However, those who can not afford to are forced to be with care providers who force them into having multiple c-sections with out discussing the risks.

I am thankful that I am part of the haves.  When I say haves, I am not referring to those with money.  I am referring to HAVING a husband who says this is the best for you and the baby, and believes we HAVE a God that will provide the money needed.  Could I ask for anything more? 

Well, now that I think about it, I could.  The hubby could have been a midwife and then he could have taken care of everything without us shelling out the dough :)  Just kidding!