1st Trimester

OB vs Doula vs Midwife .... ???

Hey all...

My 2nd post... yay!

So I'm just about 8 weeks along and I'm going for my 2nd appt to the doctor on Monday.  I've been thinking about midwives and doctors and doulas and all that stuff.  I know I want to do a natural birth and I don't want to be induced or have drugs, etc.  I've heard midwives have a higher success rate with all this.  Then I don't really know where doulas come in.  And are these services covered by insurance? Oy!  Any advice???

Re: OB vs Doula vs Midwife .... ???

  • Doula's are for laboring support. they do not do any actual prenatal or baby catching. 
    Racheal- a newly single, student mom to 3 boys 

    CC 10/2005
    NC 11/2009
    DC 08/2012

    and TEAM GREEN 05/2014

    image


  • I had a home birth midwife with my youngest. She was covered some by my insurance. You could always call around and ask for a consultation (most are free). GL
    Racheal- a newly single, student mom to 3 boys 

    CC 10/2005
    NC 11/2009
    DC 08/2012

    and TEAM GREEN 05/2014

    image


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  • Thank you Racheal!
  • You're welcome!
    Racheal- a newly single, student mom to 3 boys 

    CC 10/2005
    NC 11/2009
    DC 08/2012

    and TEAM GREEN 05/2014

    image


  • Doulas do not belong in that category. Doulas are there for support during labor. Most of the time they are used to help a woman get through an un-medicated birth.

    Between a midwife and an OB, I will always choose a midwife.

    You will have to speak with your own insurance company to know what exactly is covered but, it is pretty safe to say that a midwife affiliated with a hospital is covered.

  • since you're thinking about going natural. check out the documentary "the business of being born" FASCINATING and incredibly eye opening.
    Racheal- a newly single, student mom to 3 boys 

    CC 10/2005
    NC 11/2009
    DC 08/2012

    and TEAM GREEN 05/2014

    image


  • Doulas do not belong in that category. Doulas are there for support during labor. Most of the time they are used to help a woman get through an un-medicated birth.

    Between a midwife and an OB, I will always choose a midwife.

    You will have to speak with your own insurance company to know what exactly is covered but, it is pretty safe to say that a midwife affiliated with a hospital is covered.

    You would think so, but it really does vary a lot by policy.

    Homebirths are also illegal in a number of states.

    Seriously? Damn. It seemed to me like hospital midwives were pretty much covered now days. I know you are the go to insurance expert around here. Are they at least covered by most insurances or are they still at a big disadvantage?
  • seriously...they are still illegal in some places???
    Racheal- a newly single, student mom to 3 boys 

    CC 10/2005
    NC 11/2009
    DC 08/2012

    and TEAM GREEN 05/2014

    image




  • seriously...they are still illegal in some places???

    Homebirths? Yes. And unfortunately that pushes some to freebirthing. 



    you've. got to be joking!!! I hope no one is seriously that delusional. oh those poor babes.
    Racheal- a newly single, student mom to 3 boys 

    CC 10/2005
    NC 11/2009
    DC 08/2012

    and TEAM GREEN 05/2014

    image


  • seriously...they are still illegal in some places???
    Homebirths? Yes. And unfortunately that pushes some to freebirthing. 

    According to my midwife, this is not entirely true. It depends on the type of midwife you hire. CNMs, or Certified Nurse Midwives, can attend home births legally in all 50 states. However, in some areas, they can be hard to find as they generally practice in more clinical settings. There is a home birth midwifery group in my state that is fully staffed by CNMs.

    CPMs, or Certified Professional Midwives, are more commonly found to offer home birth services. According to MANA - the Midwives Alliance of North America- currently, CPMs are legally authorized to practice in 28 states; 13 states have pending CPM legislation; 4 states are planning CPM legislation; and 5 states are organizing advocacy efforts. Check out www.mana.org for more information regarding midwifery care. 

    The third kind of midwife are Certified Midwives, or direct-entry midwives. It is legal for them to practice in some states, and illegal in others.

    If you can find a CNM who offers home birth services, you can legally plan a home birth in any state. Some insurance will not cover home birth, however, so you would have to check your policy. 

    imageimage image


    BabyFruit Ticker
  • I'm about to start seeing the CNM that works in the OB/GYN's office ... she can handle the delivery, at the hospital bc I have twins on the way, but I also meet with the OBs in case you need medical intervention.  Because she works in the OB's office, my insurance will cover her.

    I also plan on taking prenatal classes from a doula and I'm considering hiring a doula (not covered by insurance) since I want to have a natural birth with twins.

    HOWEVER, keep in mind .... your health and the health of your baby are most important.  Don't be so stubborn in your birthing plan that you refuse medical attention when it's required.

    Mary (33) and Michael (33)

    Diagnosed with PCOS in 2002, Married 4/10/10     TTC #1 June 2011; LAP and tubes flushed in Dec

    2012: 6 Clomid Cycles, all BFN;    RE consult Nov 2012: SIS (all clear)

    2013: 3 Femara Cycles with IUI, all BFN      August 2013: Follistim/Ovidrel = 3 Follies, IUI on 8/29.

    BFP!!!!! 1st Beta = 204 on 9/12/13 2nd Beta = 774 on 9/15/13!!

    First U/S 10/1/13 - It's TWINS!!!!

    BabyFetus Ticker

     

    BabyFruit Ticker

     

  • @ Miles2Go did a great job outlining the various types of Midwives for you. 

    I just wanted to add, that I am high risk, so I will be "attended" by the OB's in my practice, but they also have midwives on staff, and I am able to schedule many of my "regular" appts with them as the pregnancy progresses. They have weekly internal staff meetings where they discuss their "high risk" patients, so even when I see a midwife, everyone reviews the current status. As long as I am not having any direct issues with this pg, I can continue to see the midwives, but I will be delivered by an OB, as I will be doing a VBAC.

    Also, just FYI... I DO NOT plan on having an unmedicated birth (I personally dislike the term "natural" as a synoym for "unmedicated"..but I digress). I will labor for a while, but then I will have an epidural.. BUT.. I am STILL going to hire a DOULA to support ME during the labor processs.

    A doula provides NO medical care. Their focus is on the labor mother, and helps provide support and comfort measures to the mother. She can also guide/assist the labor partner in their supporiting role during labor/delivery. I think they are fantastic, and I woud encourage anyone, even if you plan on having a medicated labor/delivery to look into the doulas in your area!

    I only point that out, because I think many people believe doula's are only appropriate for unmedicated ("natural") births, and that is not the case. 

    GL!
    Catherine
    Wife, Mother of 4, and expecting again at 39!


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  • Ladies... this is very helpful!  Thank you,

    Another question... how do you go about telling your OB that you want to start with a midwife??  

    I've been seeing this dr for years and it almost feels weird to say that I may want a midwife.  I'm not even sure... I just feel like an OB wouldn't listen to a birth plan and all that other stuff... plus I've already had an initial appt where I had a an ultrasound that had placed me at 5 weeks 2 days... and I felt like it would have been more of a big deal, like the OB would give me samples and would give me a magazine and a list of do's and don'ts, etc.... meanwhile I got nothing and it was like any other dr's appt.  I thought I'd feel more importnat... and I'm not saying that a midwife would make me feel more important, but I just feel like any other patient and I really want someone who will listen to me and make me feel like I'm not just another pregnant woman.  Is that stupid too?
  • You don't need to tell the OB. Find the midwife you want to go with. If she is not in the same office as the OB just make a call to the receptionist and them know you will be seeing someone else throughout your pregnancy.
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