Midwives?

woestijnkat

Is anyone here going the midwife route instead of/in addition to an OB? I'm frustrated that I don't seem to have many choices in this matter, as I'm really interested in having as few interventions/unnecessary medical things as possible. Would love to hear your experience.

Ceridwen21

Yes, we are being followed exclusively by a midwife for this pregnancy, just like my last one. We really like the attentive care (average appointment length is 45 mins) and low intervention approach. I ended up delivering with a doctor because my birth became high risk in the final hours, but I have absolutely no regrets with being with a MW. They transferred me to the care of the doctors and nurses at the hospital when my birth was no longer considered to be low-risk, but they stayed with me the whole time and played the role of doula instead.

bookqueen

For my first pregnancy, the OB office had midwives there and I had one of them. If this pregnancy is not a m/c, I will be going the same route with the midwife. Very good experience!

woestijnkat

My gyne is also an OB, so right now it seems like I've been slotted into the "traditional" hospital track - but that's so not what I want (as long as it's not necessary, that is)! I'm going to have to investigate my options at/after my next appointment. I really like my OB, but I really don't want my birth to involve being hooked up to a bunch of machines.

Unless, of course, that's absolutely necessary.

ashley.hamilton13

This is my first pregnancy and I am using only a midwife practice and birthing center.  My interactions with them thus far has been few as it is still early but I am very happy with my choice! I like that center feels more homelike than a regular doctor's office. I have only been there a few times and I already know everyone's name.  Another pro is I am guaranteed a longer, non-rushed appointment with the mid-wife which affords the opportunity to ask all questions.  The third thing is the way they make your care your business and having you learn about the process and what is going on important.  I take my blood pressure and weight at each appointment and record it and that record goes home with me so I can monitor myself as well.  I feel very in control and not nervous which is a big plus for me personally.

We don't have a lot of choice in our area either, everyone I know uses and OB and a hospital. I am traveling over an hour across state line to get to my appointments and to eventually to give birth but I wouldnt have it any other way.

teralane

I used a midwife for my first pregancy and am doing so with this baby as well. My midwife works close with my ob/gyn and is AMAZING! She is allowed the ability to take her time with us each and every appointment. I love the relationship we built, plus she and my SO get along really well, which makes it all even better. I tell everyone all about my midwife! I hope everything works out for you. 

suitern

I used a midwife for my first pregnancy and preferred seeing her over a traditional OB at the same practice. She still practiced as a large practice, but being a midwife she was more compassionate and willing to sit and just talk with me. My delivery for my son was AWFUL for a variety of reasons, but having the midwives plus OBs in the room was essential and part of the reason I didn't end up with an emergency c-secion.  I am sticking with an OB this time only because we have moved and I don't want to drive an hour to a practice with midwives. I highly recommend a midwife to everyone.

ashleyherling

We are planning an at home water birth.. with that said, we are exclusively using a midwife. I have seen her three time now, interview process, annual exam before conceiving, and first appointment after we conceived! I absolutely love her. Each appointment is about an hour and can be longer if needed. We had our first appointment, I went in worried since it is our first appointment. We did blood work and urine tests and talked alot about the pregnancy, nutrition and delivery. No ultra sound or HB check, but I left feeling so reassured that everything was good!! Our next appointment is march 4th to hear the heart beat at 11 weeks with a Doppler. We have one ultra sound at 20 weeks, and I really don't mind waiting! If our birthing plan goes as planned, we are excited to have as least interventions as possible.. I love our midwife and wouldn't want our pregnancy any other way so far!

Milo5181

I used a midwife last time and am doing so again. (However, it's a different midwife.) Last time, I delivered in the L&D unit with the MW but this time I will be in a birthing center inside a different hospital. (Knock wood--this birthing center kicks you out if you are 5 days late or if you have any complications like GBS or pregnancy-induced diabetes.) I loved the MW route and if you want to have an intervention-less delivery I definitely recommend it. OBs are so risk averse! Plus, during the delivery, the MW stays with you the whole time, unlike an OB who only comes in at the end when it's pushing time.

Irisheyes1247

 I was hoping to go the midwife route - actually I was hoping for a home birth. But financially it is not feasible for us, and truthfully DH was still not feeling confident with it, so I have to suck it up and go the typical ob/hospital route. My practice does have midwives, but I am not sure they deliver. At this point, I do feel confident in my ability to labor without the interventions so I won't be afraid to stand up for myself should the need arise. Of course each labor/pregnancy is different, so you never really know I guess.

dobbysmom

We had a tour w/ a birthing center and have our first appointment with them at the beginning of March. Hopefully we get accepted, it is all midwife run not attached to a hospital so their acceptance standards are apparently pretty rigid. I have a friend that delivered with them last year that said they were amazing. My insurance does not cover any of it, so unfortunately we'll be paying all out of pocket. But for the freedom and personalized birth experience it will definitely be worth it. As long as nothing happens during labor that sends me to the hospital we'll be home with our baby within 7 hours of birth. A doula is included in the birthing fee as well as home visits from my midwife at 2 days postpartum, 2 weeks post and then the regular 6 week visit. We are so excited for this opportunity!

midwesternmomma

My oldest two were delivered by midwives and this baby will be as well. I agree with the above statements, and also think my son's delivery would have been CS if not for the midwife. In my state, midwives are prohibited from delivering outside of a hospital setting, so there are no birthing center or home birth options. :-( I would love a home birth, but not if my husband is the only one assisting!

Flowerchica

I am very pro-midwives. I find that they listen to you much more than doctors. Even despite my complications, I liked the fact that my OB practice allowed me to rotate through all of their doctors and midwives for my appointments.  I ultimately chose to be delivered by one of the midwives. It didn't matter too much to me since I still got my epidural and it was in a hospital setting. In my case I was seen by my perinatologist every other week, my OB / midwife every other week - so I felt I had enough of a spectrum of professional eyes over my case. 

BethanyAnn27

I am throwing in another vote for the midwives here! At my facility, I am opting for the midwife team because I will actually know who is delivering baby (there are 8 that rotate between clinic and birthing center, and I have the option of meeting them all before if I choose). At my facility, they work closely with a high risk OB team so if there is any issues along the way, you can stay a primary patient of the midwife service with a High Risk OB consult, and both will be present at delivery. The midwives are very focused on mommy-baby experience, they are great listeners, and-at my facility-have an incredible amount of experience. It means so much to have a provider that is focused on listening to my thoughts, concerns, and hopes throughout this process. I have found that in the midwives, and I have only heard great things about the group at my facility. I think it is important to make a choice that will work best for you individually. Each office/facility will offer teams or groups that have pros and cons. For me, the midwives were the best choice because they are very patient-focused, but I still have access to high risk OB physicians if anything changes along the way, including during the delivery as there are always at least 1 midwife and 2 OBs on the unit that I will deliver in. OP, good luck finding someone that meets your care goals! 

fernane

I am using a nurse midwife for my VBAC. They work under an OB and delivery is in the hospital, but their own wing which looks like a birthing center. The hospital itself is very supportive of natural birth which I love, but also love the fact that I will already be in the hospital should there be any complications.

adoxyinherear

I saw a group of nurse midwives with my first and they were wonderful. I delivered in a hospital, and they were extremely supportive of an intervention free birth while also educating me on what my options would be if I needed them. The prenatal care was so personal and also very hands-off... unless there was a reason for it, they didn't push any tests or do some of the stuff that can be routine with an OB (stripping the membranes, etc.). I got very, very lucky and had a natural birth with DD, and it's my hope to do the same with this one. I'm seeing the same practice.

Flowerchica

BethanyAnn27 said:

I am throwing in another vote for the midwives here! At my facility, I am opting for the midwife team because I will actually know who is delivering baby (there are 8 that rotate between clinic and birthing center, and I have the option of meeting them all before if I choose). At my facility, they work closely with a high risk OB team so if there is any issues along the way, you can stay a primary patient of the midwife service with a High Risk OB consult, and both will be present at delivery. The midwives are very focused on mommy-baby experience, they are great listeners, and-at my facility-have an incredible amount of experience. It means so much to have a provider that is focused on listening to my thoughts, concerns, and hopes throughout this process. I have found that in the midwives, and I have only heard great things about the group at my facility. I think it is important to make a choice that will work best for you individually. Each office/facility will offer teams or groups that have pros and cons. For me, the midwives were the best choice because they are very patient-focused, but I still have access to high risk OB physicians if anything changes along the way, including during the delivery as there are always at least 1 midwife and 2 OBs on the unit that I will deliver in. OP, good luck finding someone that meets your care goals! 

I honestly think that's the best way to go. Best of both worlds!

Bstevens21

We are seeing a midwife for appointments. I doctor at a large medical facility, so there is no control over who delivers your baby, but the midwives usually Ned up being the ones tomdeliver if there are no complications. The OB probably wouldnt even make an appearance unless there were complications. From what I have heard about midwives, and with wanting to have a pretty natural birth, it seemed like the right choice for us. But it is nice to know that if there are complications, an OB will be there.

coffee bean

I'm visiting a midwife practice in 2 weeks, primarily because I am interested in a VBAC. Not getting warm and fuzzies about my new OB's position on VBACs and other things too (total tried to guilt me into getting a flu shot, when I already have a daughter with autism and am not willing to chance the risk of mercury poisoning on my baby).