midwife vs OB/GYN

nicolerae90

Hello everyone. Just got the BFP today. This makes it baby #3 for me. With my last two pregnancies, I have always had an OB, no midwives in the area. I live in a new town, and the hospital where my GP is and my childrens pediatrician is has a woman seen by midwives instead of OB's, unless you are high risk. What are your thoughts on the two? I don't have much knowledge of a midwife.

BLH2014

I personally see a practice of midwives, because I have a strong desire for a natural birth with minimal (preferrably zero) medical intervention.  Not that this is impossible to have with an OB, but everything I've read points to the fact that midwives are more natural birth friendly.

CandaceC1020

I didn't know who to choose when I got pregnant.  I made an appointment with a local office that had a good reputation and had my first 'pregnancy' appointment which was an information session.  At that session I decided that I would like to try midwife care.  I am so incredibly happy with my decision.  I love, love, love my midwife.  She's very nurturing, compassionate, caring, knowledgeable and supportive.  I have never felt rushed, she takes the time to ask if I have questions and answers all questions I have, regardless of how many times and different ways I ask.  My midwife is very supportive of natural birth and told me that it would be absolutely ok if I chose an epidural too, that she will support me and help me no matter what. 

The best way for me to describe it is the care that I'm receiving from my midwife is a much fluffier than the care I would receive from an OB.  Since I'm a first time mom I want this fluffy, hand holding care. 

GlitterMuffin914

My OB practice is the same way... I have an OB, but I see a midwife 90% of the time. I only saw my OB briefly to meet her at my first visit and then after the anatomy scan to go over everything. My routine appointments have all been with my midwife, and my midwife will be my primary delivery person as well.

The set up has been great, and I'm not worried about delivery with a midwife (there is always an OB on site, maybe not "mine" but someone from the practice will be available). All the midwives they have are nurse-midwives and have undergone very specialized training. Ive never felt that I wasn't getting proper medical attention or information.

GlitterMuffin914

edit: this was in response to @theresat858 I just forgot to hit the quote button.  

You're right-- education is not the same, but that doesn't mean they are unqualified to provide proper medical care. They are highly trained professionals. 

I can't speak for all practices, but most OB offices that utilize midwife care in their practice actually work with nurse-midwife professionals. Nurse midwifes have to have a bachelors degree, be a certified RN, and have a special additional midwife certification. In that training, they are also required to do clinical hours just like any nurse would, in addition to specialized clinical training in prenatal care and delivery. Most RNs do a 2 year program to get certified after receiving their bachelors, and the certified nurse-midwife program is an additional year to two. So that's an additional 4 years after a bachelor's degree. I'd say that's pretty qualified. These women dedicate themselves to a very specific medical subject, and I feel very confident with the nurse-midwives that I've met in my doctor's practice so far.

SSCmomma

I am currently seeing a midwife but the hospital that she has privileges at does require that you see one of their OB's at 28 weeks. 

yeah.

Mine were delivered by one mid-wife and one OB. Not too much of a difference around here, imo

yeah.

theresat858 said:

kyliedaniellexx said:

It is personal preference. I prefer prenatal care from someone who actually attended medical school.

@theresat858‌ I think this statement is somewhat uneducated and judgemental. Although of course there is nothing wrong with seeing a doctor if that is what you prefer, there is something wrong with assuming midwives are not medically trained professionals. Since 2010 a master's degree in the medical field is the minimum education required to become a CNM. And they have to recertify every 5 years. Point being not every midwife has no formal medical training... not all midwives are DEM.

I never said they were not medically trained, but they did not attend medical school - that is 4 years plus 2+ years of additional training.  It takes 1-2 years to get a masters degree (depending on the field).  The level of education is NOT the same.

Except that it is. CNM's training is entirely in OB-GYN; MDs do 4 years of med school, but it's general with the exception of one rotation in OB. Residencies are specialized, obviously, but the training is similar.

angelimoua

I get to see my ob and my midwife. With the birth of my daughter, I saw my ob once and my midwife delivered her. With my baby on the way, I still get to see my ob and midwife. They both are very caring. Its really up to you on what you prefer.

angelimoua

@mmblake08‌ omg! Im so happy that I wasnt the only one puking while pushing, lol. The nurse that was there said, this is the first that she had seen.

drpayne

kyliedaniellexx said:

It is personal preference. I prefer prenatal care from someone who actually attended medical school.

@theresat858‌ I think this statement is somewhat uneducated and judgemental. Although of course there is nothing wrong with seeing a doctor if that is what you prefer, there is something wrong with assuming midwives are not medically trained professionals. Since 2010 a master's degree in the medical field is the minimum education required to become a CNM. And they have to recertify every 5 years. Point being not every midwife has no formal medical training... not all midwives are DEM.

This will be my third baby with midwives.  FWIW, I'm a doctor and that's still my preference. 

aar166

As a nurse who has worked on a labor and delivery floor, I can say every nurse on the floor delivered their babies with a midwife. Not because the OBs weren't good, but because the midwives are more involved during the delivery. I agree it is a personal preference, but please consider midwives before you choose! They really create a wonderful birthing experience!

argonne

theresat858 said:

It is personal preference. I prefer prenatal care from someone who actually attended medical school.

That's pretty judgemental. CNMs are nurses (many with years of experience in the nursing field before going for their CNM) with a Masters in Midwifery and time spent in residency delivering babies under the guidance of other CNMs.  They are perfectly capable of providing adequate, thorough prenatal care to low-risk women.  In fact, in many other countries, you would see a MW for all of your prenatal care unless you were deemed high-risk.

From my own experience, in a previous pregnancy, I actually found the midwives to be a lot more informative, thorough and knowledgable than the OBs in the same group. I'm not saying this is the case with all practices or OBs.

I am not a fan of direct entry or lay midwives, though.  Most of the time DEMs are not associated with any OB practice as CNMs usually are.  DEMs usually don't have hospital rights, either.

argonne

aar166 said:

As a nurse who has worked on a labor and delivery floor, I can say every nurse on the floor delivered their babies with a midwife. Not because the OBs weren't good, but because the midwives are more involved during the delivery. I agree it is a personal preference, but please consider midwives before you choose! They really create a wonderful birthing experience!

This, too.  Most OBs will show up sproadically throughout labor to do checks and then at the end for the actual delivery.  My MW spent a lot of time with me (she did nap when I was between 4-7cm) and supporting me, suggesting positions, giving DH things to do, perineal massage during the pushing phase, etc.  She was a lot more hands-on than the OB would have been.  There is always an OB in the practice at the hospital, though, in case they are needed for any intervention.

Cryssteen

theresat858 said:

kyliedaniellexx said:

It is personal preference. I prefer prenatal care from someone who actually attended medical school.

@theresat858‌ I think this statement is somewhat uneducated and judgemental. Although of course there is nothing wrong with seeing a doctor if that is what you prefer, there is something wrong with assuming midwives are not medically trained professionals. Since 2010 a master's degree in the medical field is the minimum education required to become a CNM. And they have to recertify every 5 years. Point being not every midwife has no formal medical training... not all midwives are DEM.

I never said they were not medically trained, but they did not attend medical school - that is 4 years plus 2+ years of additional training.  It takes 1-2 years to get a masters degree (depending on the field).  The level of education is NOT the same.

Just for more info:

A CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) is an advanced practice nurse with an RN license, and bachelors degree in nursing and a masters degree in nurse midwifery.  This study includes clinical practice similar to residency.  It is equivalent to a Nurse Practitioner who can practice  medicine as a provider.  

However, not all midwives are CNMs.  There are also CMs, who may or may not have medical backgrounds.