Midwife or OB?

cheriep3

Hey ladies! We have our first appointment next week for blood work and to get everything set up. The practice we chose has OBs and midwives. I'm not sure which to go with. I had an OB with my first but midwives weren't much of an option. 

Who are y'all seeing and why? 

AdaByron

I'm seeing an OB at a solo practice. It's important to me to know that my doctor will be the one person there handling everything no matter what happens during labor and delivery. That being said, I also chose the "crunchiest" doctor in town, because it's also important to me to have control over my delivery experience and as few interventions as possible.

mslynn2012

OB because this will be my 3rd csection

thatcma

I am seeing a midwife because I like their ideas better than physicians, I want a natural labor and I feel that they will support that more.

lilyaster

I'm starting out with an Obgyn due to multiple losses but plan on switching to the midwife group after the first trimester because I prefer their approach.  I've loved having midwives with my other births.

jsweet-2

I am going with an OB, because I had complications last time, and I just want that reassurance that they can do a C-section or other interventions if things get weird. I chose a female doctor, with a fully female doctor group, that had high ratings on RatemyMD 

MimoCa

I swapped from a clinic to a hospital after my loss in order to try the midwifery route. Of course my first appointment is not for another 2 weeks so I'm not sure how I suggest to them I want a midwife and to do hydrotherapy...

star_beagle

My OB practice has a midwife, so if I want to switch I can, but I'm a sissy when it comes to pain. I'd like to try to go as long as I can without drugs, but want the option to get all the drugs. LOL.

realgoodthing

I'm planning to stick with my OB (who was my OB for my first pregnancy and my gyno before that), but will probably also get a doula for the birth. I like my OB (she was great with the loss and I've heard amazing things about her during births), but I have some concerns about the office (when I was getting my blood tested every week after the loss to monitor my HCG, I ALWAYS had to call to get the results - they never called me and in general, it seems a little hard to get a hold of folks there).

mamadcb

I will be with the same OB from my first pregnancy/delivery. She was great. I had no induction, no epidural, no episiotomy, exactly what I wanted, even though there were a few little hiccups. She was willing to be patient and only intervene if truly necessary. I found mine through a recommendation of a friend who is a labor and delivery nurse at the hospital where I delivered-- I figured she'd have some good input! 

Tallahassee

Going with midwives again. Last time was a bit of a hybrid situation as I ended up with a planned csection when baby wouldn't turn. But the midwives were there at the csection along with my OB and did all the aftercare for baby. Hoping for a vbac this time!

kghusker1003

I'm staying with the same OB I had with both my DDs. I love him,he is wonderful and I know he will be the one performing my 3rd c-section. He is highly recommended and rated. Plus he only delivers at a hospital that also is highly rated with the best NICU (just in case) in my city. 

babypi

I'll be seeing the same OB who delivered my daughter, but we'll be moving when I'm about 7 months. If I was to be here for the delivery, I would have chosen a different OB or a midwife for sure. My OB gave great care during the pregnancy, but we had a lot of issues with her and her backup during labor and delivery.

ladipale

OB - I will need a 3rd cs and may end up with GD again so I'm higher risk. And my OB and I have an amazing relationship, so even though she is part of a large practice, as long as she is in town, I see her for all my appointments and hopefully she won't be on vacation in early July so she can perform my last c-section!

spk112

OB, 150%. A lot of the experiences that I've had with midwives in the past have made me extremely reluctant to consider that route at all.

JAM85

I can't have only a midwife due to being high risk BUT I found an office that has OBs and Midwives as there is always a midwife or OB on call every day in the hospital I will deliver in 

longhairdntcare

OB for us. DH is definitely a "plan for the worst" kind of guy. When I was looking for an OB I asked "well do we want an OB or a midwife?" and I think he nearly had a heart attack at the thought. lol. In reality, I agree with him. All three of my sisters had emergency c-sections (for 3 different reasons) so I am definitely a little nervous that will happen for me as well. 

caribbeanmama-2

I'm going with a midwife again in a hospital that works with the OB team.  I'm low risk so this is an option for me.  I also had a doula last time, whom I love.  I found the labor prep classes to be very helpful in terms of learning about all the hospital standard procedures and having the time to research if I wanted them or not.  This would have been very overwhelming to hear about during labor and to make a decision then sans knowledge.  OB's have the highest malpractice insurance last I heard and tend to be extremely cautious and ride on the side of overprescribing and being prophylactic in nature.  The midwives trust the body and tend to view themselves as partners in your care and labor journey.

It is very important to me to have a natural labor and birth inasmuch as it is safely possible to do so.  I've heard plenty of moms tout the benefits of the other route too.  So in the end it comes down to personal philosophy and choice.  I'm finding that I'm kind of a closet hippie. In that vein, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth was helpful for me as a FTM - this may be a useful resource if you don't have 10 girlfriends who can be candid with you about the details of labor and birth.

SaphireSweetie88

It's still very early for us to know what we're going to do but I am thinking I will stick with OB.

Maybe I missed this if it was mentioned but for those using a midwife, what is your reasoning for it?

SaphireSweetie88

@Cait32
Thanks! I am going to look into "The Business of Being Born"

thatcma

@saphiresweetie88 I second watching The Business of Being Born and More on the Business of Being Born. Both are on Netflix so you can watch for free. And just like @cait32 am using a certified nursing midwife because I like their perspective on less intervention. I want a med-free labor and think they will do best to support my wishes.

caribbeanmama-2

@Cait32 Yes, thanks for pointing out the distinction - very important!  I am talking about a certified nurse midwife. Hubby would never go for having the baby in the middle of the living room in a tub.

longhairdntcare

maybe this belongs in UO - but y'all are crazy...give me the drugs haha

I have so much respect for those of you that follow through with a med-free delivery. 

SaphireSweetie88

@osucma - Thanks!

WorkinWeezel

Love my OB practice, so I will be sticking with them. it's a small local group. 

dancegurl1118

Sticking with my OB practice. I don't love half of them but I trust their professional judgement. This happened with my last birth too, I felt I was "in too deep" to switch to another practice. I also work with them and have a great relationship with one of them so I don't want to switch from her. It's not as important to me to have "one I like" for my second birth since I really needed coaching with my first birth and hope that this one is different. 

petitmons

I'm with an OB right now due to high risk factors. I'm hoping I can switch to a birthing center by 2nd tri though. I had a friend use them and love the experience. I had an awful experience with my first, so not having to use an OB would be a huge relief. 

MissKrisBliss

I have to go the OB route this time because my last child was born with a lot of medical crap that no one expected plus I had post partum pre eclampsia last time around ( super rare - 3rd baby) so I am not even sure a midwife will agree to take me.  However, once we determine that this babe is healthy I will be doing my best to switch to. Midwife.  I have had babies in a hospital and in a birth center and I 100% prefer birth center.  We even had some complications in the birth center and it was handled perfectly.  

Knottie1428293121

For those of you that have had babies already and used a midwife or a doula: when did you start researching/contacting them? I feel like it's too early to do anything but curious about when it's the right time to start touring possible birthing centers and interviewing birth support. I have Kaiser so a birthing center or home birth would be out of pocket, but if I'm not deemed high risk then it's definitely an option. Thanks!

Mrs.EmmaLouise

I went to a small single doctor OB/GYN practice with my losses and daughter- however, when I made my first appointment with my daughter they could get me in sooner with their new midwife. I ended up seeing a mix of the midwife/PA/OB during my pregnancy, but primarily saw the midwife, and he did the delivery. I was very happy with seeing the MW. The MW worked with my OB anytime something non-routine appeared, it was a good experience. 

I've moved since then, and I'm likely going with a group OB practice. I'm disappointed there is no MW group near me. I would have liked another multi-level practice like I had before.

abmommy15

OB because they have the drugs.  

thatcma

@knottie148293121 I am a FTM and my very first appointment is with a midwife. I plan on searching doulas now and interviewing after the holidays. **also it may be really helpful if you change your username to something shorter for purposes of us recognizing you and being easier to tag

DarkSerendipity

OB since my pregnancies tend to be a little higher risk, I'd rather just have that peace of mind and go to an OB. Plus, this one will be (hopefully) a VBAC.

kat0607

I'm starting out with an OB but interested in possibility of a midwife. There is a birthing center in my city that gives you the option between a birthing center birth or hospital birth. I've considered a hospital birth with midwives because I like the idea of being in a hospital in case of emergency, but I definitely want to try for an unmediated birth.

MrsPyrowiz

Midwife again for sure!  But probably going with a different practice this time.  And we're getting a doula this time.  But we're doing another hospital birth.  

Just to add, hubby doesn't know about #2 yet, so he may have some opinions when he gets home from work.  Haha

SparkyOne

Going with an OB here.  Same one that delivered my son.  

vwsfy6

Midwife, at home, for the third time! Woohoo!

flipflopped

I go to a practice with midwives and doctors as well as NPs. Appointments are with everyone, unless you have need for doctor. My delivery was with a midwife until I stopped progressing and had to have a c-section with the doctor. This isn't for all people, but I really liked having variety especially since you don't know who will be on call when you deliver.

amaireb252

I'm going with a midwife who works closely with doctors I want a natural hospital birth

dancegurl1118

A few practices at my hospital are a mix of midwives and OB's. Unless they are absolutely slammed with patients the midwives do most of the work and we just call the OB to stand there in the room when the baby is delivering in case there is a complication (shoulder dystopia, vacuum, etc). The midwives give all the drugs too if you want! We do gas+air, narcotics, and epidural. Something for everyone, unless you don't want anything and then we're right on board with that too. 

justcat78

I see midwives for my pregnancies