From Why homebirth/HBAC:

Most births in the hospital environment are managed by L&D (labor and delivery) nurses, with your OB arriving just in time to catch the baby. So while you may have grilled your OB during your interview, you are going to spend far more time with the L&D nurses who you did not have the opportunity to screen. You just get whoever is working that shift. I say with a little sarcasm: “Lucky you.” You might get a superb nurse who listens to your desires, reads your birth plan, and respects your wishes. Or you might experience what most of us do. They ignore your birth plan that you spent hours researching and putting together because it conflicts with their job. Their job is to enforce hospital policies and procedures and where your birth plan counter those policies, guess what will prevail?

I’d like to create a database of supportive L&D nurses so that when future moms go to the hospital, they can ask for a specific nurse.  It is only when hospitals see that women want NCB (natural childbirth) friendly nurses that, hopefully, they will be more inclined to hire them.

You know the nurse.  She’s the one who supported or respected your decision to go drug-free.  She’s the one who suggested you walk the halls rather than lay in bed.  She’s the one who, when the OB suggested a cesarean because ‘you are taking to long,’ advocated that you get another hour.  She was really a midwife-doula hybrid in disguise.

So, if you are an L&D nurse and are supportive of natural childbirth (drug-free with no or minimal interventions) or have had a hospital birth experience that was positively impacted by an L&D nurse, and are willing to share your story on this website, please email the following information to info at vbacfacts dot com.

Nurse Name
Hospital Name
City Name
State Name
Describe how your nurse was supportive and/or respectful of your wishes and the birthing process
Birth story (optional)

Whether you ultimately had a vaginal birth, cesarean, VBAC, or home birth transfer, I’d love to hear from you.

Take the time to get and read your records.  You may find that your “emergency” cesarean was no rush at all.

Medical Records Copying Charges by State

http://icanofnova.org/articles/Cesarean_Rates

Want to know if your doctor has been subject to a board hearing or disciplinary note? 

Here is a link to the State Board sites for all 50 states.