Midwives

ShannonsMOH

Hello, everyone! And congratulations, expecting mothers!

I am 5weeks 6days with my first and I know nothing on how to set up and prep for the big day. I guess my main question right now is, how do I connect with/find a midwife? What are questions I should ask? What are some tips on what I should be looking for? What is your opinion of midwives vs. an OB? Ok, I guess there's a couple of questions, ha!

sschwege

Do you know where you want to birth, a hospital, birthing center, at home?

ShannonsMOH

sschwege said:

Do you know where you want to birth, a hospital, birthing center, at home?

Ideally I would like to give bith in a birthing center, but I will have to research centers in my area and request an exception to be made by my insurance. Needless to say, I'm not counting on it. And since I am renting an apartment, I am not planning a home birth. There are a couple area hospitals that I plan on looking further into that have birthing center like wards, or some such. So, due to circumstance, it appears am likely to be in a hospital.

spicysurro

I just want to add I rent an apartment and am doing a home birth. 

To start I would google midwives in your area or even forums in your area. Most places have mom forums and there are bound to be reviews and such and you can even look for Natural Birth friendly OB's. It can absolutely be done in a hospital but you have to find an OB really willing to be an advocate for Natural Birth and not just say they are then brush it under the rug! All the best! 

barista411

I would talk with friends or other moms in your area. They are going to be your best reference. You can also check websites like these:
https://m.healthgrades.com/#
https://www.cesareanrates.com/hospital-level-cesarean-rates/
https://www.dona.org/mothers/

The first website give you the option to search doctors and midwives in your area and read rating and reviews. The second website will give allow you to search hospitals in your area to find their c-section. This can be helpful to decide which hospital is best for you. The final website is a great resource for finding a doula.

I absolutely loved having a midwife. I felt like she was much more attentive to my needs and really took the time get to know me. She was also a wonderful support through out labor and basically held my hand the entire time. I never felt rushed during my appointments and she was wonderful at making me feel very confident and comfortable with the whole process.

I gave birth both times in a birthing center in a hospital. I had a great experience. It was nice to have the option of a NICU and an on call OB just in case there was an issue. It was very comforting for me to know it was available if I needed it.

Eve_Angelique

Check in your area to see if there are any practices that have midwives. Or look into birth centers if that interests you as well. For me I wanted a midwife, and very little,if any, intervention, but I did feel more comfortable being in a hospital if anything would have happened. I had a wonderful experience that fulfilled all my expectations with a midwife and a doula at a hospital. Did it all med free! You definitely have time to get feelers out and potentially meet with several midwives to get a feel for what they are like and how they would handle the birth that you would like to have!

ah625

I think the first step is learning the difference between a CNM and a CPM. And how they tend to differ from an OB.

CNM is a certified nurse midwife, meaning they have completed a nursing program. These are the midwives that will have hospital privileges (varies by state/city!). 

Then you should decide where you want to give birth and find out if that is feasible with your insurance. 

Finding a midwife can be pretty easy with Google. You can also try searching social media for a provider, and reviews from past patients.

ShannonsMOH

So, I can just read reviews on midwives on Google and just call them up?

ShannonsMOH

Also, I'm in the Portland Metro area. Anyone in the area have someone they recommend I look into? Anyone or anyplace they particularly liked?

sschwege

ShannonsMOH said:

So, I can just read reviews on midwives on Google and just call them up?

That's pretty much how I found mine.  

As pp said check the c-section rate at the hospital, that will kind of give you a sense of what you are looking at.  Talk to like-minded mommies if you can.  

J&Jaggies06

sschwege said:

ShannonsMOH said:

So, I can just read reviews on midwives on Google and just call them up?

That's pretty much how I found mine.  

As pp said check the c-section rate at the hospital, that will kind of give you a sense of what you are looking at.  Talk to like-minded mommies if you can.  

I used a MW group in a hospital. They will share there own rates. For instance they had over 87%VBAC success and 4.7% c section rate. Both numbers are very good from what I understand. 

Doulas/birth class teachers in your area would also be good people to ask. 

ah625

sschwege said:

ShannonsMOH said:

So, I can just read reviews on midwives on Google and just call them up?

That's pretty much how I found mine.  

As pp said check the c-section rate at the hospital, that will kind of give you a sense of what you are looking at.  Talk to like-minded mommies if you can.  

You should ask the provider for the c-section rates among their patients. The c-section rates that the hospital provides will include high-risk pregnancies and people who were auto re-sections due to a previous one. 

Cecilbear

Also, some midwiferies that operate in a hospital setting are beholden to the OBs and RNs, rendering their care almost identical. This is the situation I'm in right now and I'm eager to transfer out. Just because you're with a group of midwives does not guarantee the low-intervention birth you had planned. 

sschwege

ah625 said:

sschwege said:

ShannonsMOH said:

So, I can just read reviews on midwives on Google and just call them up?

That's pretty much how I found mine.  

As pp said check the c-section rate at the hospital, that will kind of give you a sense of what you are looking at.  Talk to like-minded mommies if you can.  

You should ask the provider for the c-section rates among their patients. The c-section rates that the hospital provides will include high-risk pregnancies and people who were auto re-sections due to a previous one. 

I agree that you should ask your provider for their c-section rates, though I would argue it's important to look at the hospital as well.  If for example your MW isn't there when you arrive at the hospital, or they find it necessary to consult an OB, you would ideally be at a hospital that does not have an alarmingly high c-section rate.

Missmommyxoxo

A doctor and a hospital is always the best option. A birthing center might sound more appealing as far as more relaxed atmosphere, but it's just too dangerous. A midwife cannot preform or do certain things a doctor can and they don't have all the equipment there that a hospital does.
So if you have an emergency during your birth, they will have to rush you to the hospital, and all that extra time it's gonna take to get you there could be very very dangerous. That's what hospitals are for, so you are two seconds away from help during an emergency. The c-section rate is also doubled if not more. It's just not a very smart option. You can set up a birthing plan, and they have certain things available at the hospital so you can have a natural birth with the extra perks.

Rrrrrachel

Fr low risk women outcomes are better with birth centers and midwives than they are in hospitals. I'm not sure what you meanby the c section rate is doubled (the rate for what? Doubled compared to what?) but the c section rate for women who choose birth center births is far far lower than hospital birth. What exactly are you getting out of stirring shit all over the bump?

sschwege

Missmommyxoxo said:

A doctor and a hospital is always the best option. A birthing center might sound more appealing as far as more relaxed atmosphere, but it's just too dangerous. A midwife cannot preform or do certain things a doctor can and they don't have all the equipment there that a hospital does. So if you have an emergency during your birth, they will have to rush you to the hospital, and all that extra time it's gonna take to get you there could be very very dangerous. That's what hospitals are for, so you are two seconds away from help during an emergency. The c-section rate is also doubled if not more. It's just not a very smart option. You can set up a birthing plan, and they have certain things available at the hospital so you can have a natural birth with the extra perks.

I have trouble taking anyone seriously when they think women should only have kids if they are not planning to return to work.  

I really hope this is MUD and you are a troll, because if you are not then your ignorance is alarming!  

sschwege

Missmommyxoxo said:

A doctor and a hospital is always the best option. A birthing center might sound more appealing as far as more relaxed atmosphere, but it's just too dangerous. A midwife cannot preform or do certain things a doctor can and they don't have all the equipment there that a hospital does. So if you have an emergency during your birth, they will have to rush you to the hospital, and all that extra time it's gonna take to get you there could be very very dangerous. That's what hospitals are for, so you are two seconds away from help during an emergency. The c-section rate is also doubled if not more. It's just not a very smart option. You can set up a birthing plan, and they have certain things available at the hospital so you can have a natural birth with the extra perks.

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12250617/working-after-giving-birth/p1

Got any other opinions you would like to enlighten us with?

RebeccaY1

  If you are no-risk or low-risk then there is no reason why you can't use a birth centre or home birth.  I would just google midwives or check your insurance to make sure that you pick someone that is covered.  I would read a few books about midwives to become educated about what type of birth you would prefer.

sloger

Missmommyxoxo said:

A doctor and a hospital is always the best option. A birthing center might sound more appealing as far as more relaxed atmosphere, but it's just too dangerous. A midwife cannot preform or do certain things a doctor can and they don't have all the equipment there that a hospital does. So if you have an emergency during your birth, they will have to rush you to the hospital, and all that extra time it's gonna take to get you there could be very very dangerous. That's what hospitals are for, so you are two seconds away from help during an emergency. The c-section rate is also doubled if not more. It's just not a very smart option. You can set up a birthing plan, and they have certain things available at the hospital so you can have a natural birth with the extra perks.

You should educate yourself and do some reading. Maybe read some things about  "The Farm." 

Ardmhs83

Missmommyxoxo said:

A doctor and a hospital is always the best option. A birthing center might sound more appealing as far as more relaxed atmosphere, but it's just too dangerous. A midwife cannot preform or do certain things a doctor can and they don't have all the equipment there that a hospital does. So if you have an emergency during your birth, they will have to rush you to the hospital, and all that extra time it's gonna take to get you there could be very very dangerous. That's what hospitals are for, so you are two seconds away from help during an emergency. The c-section rate is also doubled if not more. It's just not a very smart option. You can set up a birthing plan, and they have certain things available at the hospital so you can have a natural birth with the extra perks.

lol...this is funny...especially from someone who thinks I'm a bad mom for NEEDING to go back to work when my son was 13 weeks old! 

You are not up to date with current medical stats are you??  

https://www.mana.org/blog/home-birth-safety-outcomes

Check that one out :-) 

I know this isn't about home-birth, but this study shows that your quote isn't factual at all!  Read up on the correct information before posting!

Ardmhs83

Totally saw on the other board she admitted to being a troll!  lol  Dumbest thing I've seen in a while! Who on earth has the time for that?!

CosMayah

www.mana.org/‎
https://www.midwife.org/‎
narm.org/‎
These are just a few, but they offer comprehensive, verifiable resources as well as a midwife directory for midwives in your area. I live south of you near Corvallis. Portland has an abundance of really great midwives, birthing centers, doulas and a huge support group/ local forums. As far as insurance, perhaps signing up for OHP (Oregon Health Plan)? OHP will cover midwife costs including birthing centers. Find the midwife/ center first, though. Usually it is a 250$ out of pocket cost, then OHP picks up the rest, but you do not need to apply until your 3rd trimester. Sounds weird but this ensures that they cover 'your' midwife. Congrats and much happiness to you.

CosMayah

Wow! I just saw the post she made.....nothing like promoting a fear agenda. Thanks for sharing a link for real info. Sometimes it is real mixed bag on these forums.

wtfisup

You probably want to know if your insurance will cover this, right? I knew of our local midwife practice and then confirmed that my insurance would cover them. They are affiliated with a hospital that my insurance also covers. Decision made. 

headgear03

Missmommyxoxo said:

A doctor and a hospital is always the best option. A birthing center might sound more appealing as far as more relaxed atmosphere, but it's just too dangerous. A midwife cannot preform or do certain things a doctor can and they don't have all the equipment there that a hospital does.
So if you have an emergency during your birth, they will have to rush you to the hospital, and all that extra time it's gonna take to get you there could be very very dangerous. That's what hospitals are for, so you are two seconds away from help during an emergency. The c-section rate is also doubled if not more. It's just not a very smart option. You can set up a birthing plan, and they have certain things available at the hospital so you can have a natural birth with the extra perks.

You might want to do your research before going off on a subject that is clear you no nothing about. Birth centers are perfectly safe and the midwives do have life saving equipment to aide if there is an emergency . Also your assumption that c section rates are higher is compleatly inaccurate . Csections rates are actually lower for those using a free standing birth centers or ones run by midwives in hospitals. A recent study done in Oregon has presented data that says that the c section rate is less then 3% . You wont find those types of percentages in hospitals among normally healthy pregnancies . Also id like to bring to light that America has one of the highest infant and mother mortality rates among industrialized countries of the world . We are also one of the few who realy almost solely on Doctors . Most other countries use Midwives and only transfer to obs when the mother is high risk. Alot of those countries also support a more natrual birth and limit allot of the practices that we here in America do as routine that actually increase the risks and lead allot of the time to complications . You do nothing but spread fear with your incredibly inaccurate assuptions on birth cneters and midwives. Next time before you open your mouth or write anything make sure you do your research and site your sources .

headgear03

ShannonsMOH said:

Also, I'm in the Portland Metro area. Anyone in the area have someone they recommend I look into? Anyone or anyplace they particularly liked?

A close friend of mine who happens to also been one of my midwives runs a midwifery service out of portland for those who want a home birth. I will get the name of her practice just give me a day . ill post tomorow .

dmhrn13

ACNM is a national group of midwives. www.acnm.org  will have a place to put in your zip & find midwives close to you.