Midwives and epidurals?

TobieRose

We are expecting #2 at the end of the year! Yay! Right now I am looking for a new practice for childbirth/prenatal care. I used an OBGYN practice for my first pregnancy that I really liked, but we are moving at the end of the summer and it's just too far to drive. There are two midwife practices in our city, and I have heard good things about both, so I am thinking of using one of them. (But still having a hospital birth--I am most comfortable knowing that in case anything bad happens. )

With my first, I knew I wanted to try to have a natural birth, but if for any reason I decided to get an epi I was fine with that. I ended up needing pitocin because my water had broken but I wasn't dilating, so I got the epidural.

This time around, I feel about the same: I would like to try for a natural birth, but if I decide I want an epidural I am not going to feel bad about it. I guess my question is this--if you not necessarily having a natural birth, is there any reason to choose a midwife over a doctor? I guess a lot depends on the individual practice but I'm curious to hear people's thoughts, since most people I know who've used midwives did so expressly because their goal was a natural birth.  

PrimRoseMama

Midwives support you in your birthing decisions whether they are med free or not. They are trained in holistic techniques to help you through labor. I use a practice that has both OB and Midwives. We see both and they both deliver our babies together.

Tabbycat22

I used a midwife for 3 of my 4 kiddos and got an epidural each time.  I really liked having the midwife vs a regular doctor because the midwife was more present during labor than the doctor I had with my first child.  My doctor was only there