Child birth in St. Croix

I 100% agree! I would hate to get down to the wire and find out I'm stuck with something I hadn't at least anticipated as my only option. Does the hospital at St Thomas have more than one person who can administer an epidural or is it the same as St. Croix?

Last i heard St Thomas has one, and that one has only been here about a year.

I don't know if its any different on STT. And I will see if my wife can dig up the name of the person that she was asked to write to by Dr. Briscoe about the whole epidural situation. According to Dr. Briscoe this is absolutely a ridiculous situation as even "developing nations" countries can guarantee epidurals for women in childbirth if they want one.

I will say that we were told that episiotomies (sp?) are rare these days...they have found that the natural tearing heals better. We were told that on island and by our doctor in DC where my wife gave birth. With a 10lb 9oz natural (non-C section) childbirth my wife did tear a bit but is doing fine now...and after having the baby and realizing that it was so large I SHUDDER to think what it would've been like without an epidural. It's a very personal decision and AFAIKT it's one that you can't even be certain on until you are in labor and in that situation...which is why it's good to have the option.

You can call the doctor here and find out if he plans to be around near your due date. A friend of our who is pregnant and did this and the doctor (sorry I don't know the name but your OB would have it) told her he was very sure he'd be on island and would be there for her.

Sean

I just toured the hospital this week and was shocked that the hospital doesn't guarantee epidurals during labor! The hospital staff told us that there are four anaesthesiologist on staff that are able to preform the procedure but they cannot guarantee that they will be available during specific times or that the availability of the necessary drugs will be available. It sounds like they will only call in the docs if there is an emergency, ie; emergency c-section. You would think that the amount of money that many doctors and hospital officials make (and they do deserve it!) would be enough to encourage them to protect women from unnecessary pain. (Not to mention the Hippocratic oath that they took when they graduated medical school!) I guess women writhing in pain for endless hours is not high on their list of importance. I have seen epidurals preformed all throughout villages in REMOTE AFRICA, this is a US territory we are talking about. Maybe I should move to Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, at least there they can guarantee pain management that is up par. So now like so many other pregnant women, who choose pain management during labor, and live in St. Croix I am faced with the dilemma of relocating during my pregnancy since this hospital management does not see this as an issue worth facing or correcting. Maybe there is a reason they have not been able to re-obtain their hospital accreditation since they lost it in 2007. It is probably a blessing in disguise that so many women are choosing to leave to have their children elsewhere. I'm surprised the community and on staff doctors are not in an uproar about this!

It is simply too physically exhausting for people here to be in an uproar over every perceived problem.

LOL

I apologize for not providing info about whom needs to be contacted at the hospital to voice displeasure about the situation about epidurals. With a newborn running around and little sleep it slipped my mind. I will gather it and post it soon for those who are upset about it.

Beachgirl, unfortunately if this is important to you I'd suggest you plan on leaving island to give birth. It is an embarrassing situation, but as dntw8up alludes to, just one of many that we deal with in the USVI.

Sean

Well it is a problem and if you don't feel comfortable having the baby here definantly relocate. My pregnant daughter is going back to the states to have her child much to my dismay but she is totally freaked out about having a baby here. I would have a baby here but I have never had a problem giving birth and I am not a first time mom. I believe that you should feel comfortable and safe while having your child.

"It is simply too physically exhausting for people here to be in an uproar over every perceived problem."

LOL! You have said what I've often thought -- only better. Thank you.

Hi try calling Dr Anders when you get to St. Croix, he is a fabulous OBGYN..2 friends of mine have had their babies with Dr Anders at the helm. He is without a doubt the most caring thoughtful and conscientious Dr around. If you are in labor he is right there with you. You can always get an epidural if you need one. They have rooming in,birthing rooms and let the dad stay with you in post partum. Dr. Anders is not taking any new patients now but will be soon. He hails from California and his wife is a retired anestiologist

Traveler, I think you've missed the gist of the discussion. You can not always get an epidural on STX. If there's no doctor to do when you go into labor then you're out of luck.