Doula/Midwife Recs

futuremamabird

Hi ladies -

DH and I are TTC and I'm going back and forth between using an OB along with a doula or trying out a birthing center and a midwife.  

Anyone have recommendations for either doulas or birthing centers?

TIA! 

abh1977

I go to Austin Area Birthing Center and LOVE it.  Baby's not here yet, but I've gone to them for years for well-woman care and am really happy with them.   It was a good compromise for us - in a medical setting and close to hospitals (vs. at home) but not IN a hospital, which is totally not for me.  They have quite a few midwives on staff, and you see all of them during your prenatal care so that you don't end up with a "stranger" at delivery.  They have 2 locations - we go to the one up north.

mcgee

I had a homebirth and used Kristen Elliott with Moms & Miracles. She was wonderful, but she now has a baby of her own and is limiting her practice. The other midwife who attended by son's birth was Patty Sprinkle, and I love her too. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her if Kristen is unavailable.

drpayne

I used AABC also. I went to the south one on William Cannon. I absolutely loved it. I will say, I was in the minority and was transferred to St. David's. That was through no fault of the midwives, though, and I would use them again in a heartbeat. The situation was handled well and they stayed with me through my son's birth/stopped by the next day. You don't pick one midwife. You actually rotate through all of them. That way, depending on who is on call, you aren't showing up to meet a total stranger once you are in labor. I can't recommend AABC enough.

MrsAJL

mcgee:

I had a homebirth and used Kristen Elliott with Moms & Miracles. She was wonderful, but she now has a baby of her own and is limiting her practice. The other midwife who attended by son's birth was Patty Sprinkle, and I love her too. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her if Kristen is unavailable.

I have zero midwife experience or advice. I'm only here to say that I *love* this midwife's name

esbeek

If you fall in between the med/natural model like me (I just felt a little too nervous to do the AABC this first time out, but have heard wonderful reports), I can say we've been thrilled so far with OB North/Dr. Sebestyen's practice. They are an OB/midwife collective who deliver at St. David's Hospital North, which has a new and super nice Women's Center. Sebestyen's practice is made up of 3 OBs and 3 midwives who rotate days at the hospital, so you don't know who you will deliver with. You see all of them in office visits before, and each one has been fantastic. They are interested in helping women birth naturally, but offer the pain med option if you want, and genuinely think that pain meds are the way to go for some people. They never rush you through questions, and have been great at getting back to me when I have (neurotic) concerns. Lots of folks on this board have used them.

We're also using a doula. We chose Maybritt Rayas, but also loved Amanda Wyskowski and Shelly Scotka. I've also heard good things about Veronica Rice. Check out the Central Texas Doula Association for info on these and other doulas. There's lots of good options in Austin! Good luck!

HSartteach

I am currently also using AABC, and I love it.  I had my first birth with and OB at a hospital.  I love the birthing center and the midwives so much better.  It is such a better experience for me.  We use the north center.

blueskyeshining

I know this is a couple of days old, but wanted to give a rec too. I wanted a homebirth and husband was dead-set against it. We compromised by using a doula and a very specific birth plan. I love our doula - Shelley Scotka.  

https://shelleyscotka.com/

We had a fantastic experience with her. You're more than welcome to email me if you need specifics: j kill ion at gma il dot com 

ladymedic43

My good friend Jessica Arno is a midwife! She's super sweet and very knowledgable! Her web site is www.newbirthing.com. 

userdeleted

ladymedic43:

My good friend Jessica Arno is a midwife! She's super sweet and very knowledgable! Her web site is www.newbirthing.com. 

Just an FYI for anyone reading this, do NOT use this "midwife." I have a friend who made the mistake of retaining her for doula services. She was unprofessional, unhelpful, and all around just terrible. She gives a bad name to doulas everywhere and I don't even want to think about how dangerous she might be as a midwife given some of the comments she made to my friend about how she would handle a potentially risky birth. Also I'm pretty sure she's currently under investigation by the state of Texas. Repeat, DO NOT USE.

And for what it's worth, I'm totally pro homebirth and have used a doula myself. I had a great experience. In fact I was very encouraging to my friend to get a doula in the first place. Never ever thought she'd find someone as awful as this. 

Jessibell

Rach03k:

ladymedic43:

My good friend Jessica Arno is a midwife! She's super sweet and very knowledgable! Her web site is www.newbirthing.com. 

Just an FYI for anyone reading this, do NOT use this "midwife." I have a friend who made the mistake of retaining her for doula services. She was unprofessional, unhelpful, and all around just terrible. She gives a bad name to doulas everywhere and I don't even want to think about how dangerous she might be as a midwife given some of the comments she made to my friend about how she would handle a potentially risky birth. Also I'm pretty sure she's currently under investigation by the state of Texas. Repeat, DO NOT USE.

And for what it's worth, I'm totally pro homebirth and have used a doula myself. I had a great experience. In fact I was very encouraging to my friend to get a doula in the first place. Never ever thought she'd find someone as awful as this. 

Thanks, Rach.

I cannot stress enough that you should NOT use Jessica Arno. She is not a DONA certified Doula, much less a licensed Midwife.

She encouraged me to refuse treatment for GD and have a footling breech baby at home despite my very complicated pregnancy. When I decided to have the baby at the hospital she was livid. Because my son was footling breech, I agreed to a repeat c-section. I went into labor on my own (which was awesome) the day before my scheduled c-section. Jessica finally showed up at the hospital over three hours after I first tried to get in touch with her. My son had been born thirty minutes prior.

She charged me $1000 and didn't even attend my son's birth.

Thankfully, I had an amazing midwife and OB attend the birth and it was an incredible experience.

I wish you all the best! If you ever need a Midwife in the SA area, I can't say enough good things about Lonestar MIdwives and St. Luke's.

Also, Doulas are awesome and I think homebirth is also awesome if you have the right person and circumstances.