To switch or not to switch midwives

gingerbabe

Hello! I just found out I'm pregnant with number 2 and my first is 9 months old. The hospital I used the first time around is 40min away and I am considering changing midwives so I can deliver at a closer hospital so I'm not so far from my DS. We are currently attached 24/7. I'm hoping to get less attached in the next 8 months, but right now I can't imagine being away from my son for more than 3 hours. I love my current midwife but is it worth the risk to change midwives so I can be closer to home and my DS? I'm hoping you moms with 2 under 2 already can give me advice!

In my first pregnancy I switched to my current midwife in my 3rd trimester because I did not like the one I began my pregnancy with. So I'm afraid I'll get another lemon and not realize it till halfway through my pregnancy again.

NavyPilotWife

I would not switch.  When I had DD2, I dropped DD1 off with a friend right before her bed time and I saw her after her afternoon nap the following day for 30 minutes.  DH brought her back the next morning, as we were getting discharged.  A hospital is no place for a toddler to spend hours on end.  If they get bored and melt down, it is not going to help your recovery.

gingerbabe

Ok. I was thinking he'd spend less time at the hospital if we were at a closer hospital. Because it wouldn't be an hour and a half travel time just to come see me, so DS and DH could pop in for 15 or 30 min and not feel like they spent more time driving than visiting me.

NavyPilotWife

We lived 20 min from the hospital in no traffic (could be 1 hour plus in bad traffic).  Unless you have a c-section and are spending multiple days in the hospital, there's probably no need for your LO to visit your more than once.  Some people choose not to have their kids visit at all in the hospital and that works too.  Having a comfortable birthing experience is far more important than being a little closer to home.

Arielle27

I would switch just for peace of mind that it won't take you so long to get to the hospital and so that even if your son doesn't visit you, you feel closer to him.

Personally, I had to deliver number two in a hospital 40 minutes away and was so anxious about it for so many reasons! DS was never able to visit me and DH was barely able to see me because he had to be with DS most of the time. This time I'll be delivering ten minutes away and I am SO grateful for it!

gingerbabe

Thanks for your input. I checked out the close hospital and had a consultation with a CNM midwife that delivers at it. I feel really good about the hospital and midwife so I'm pretty sure I'm going to switch. It will be so convenient for DH too. He'll be taking care of DS and I know he'll want to come visit me and new baby even if DS doesn't.
I'm already experiencing anxiety just thinking about being away from my baby! I really need to get less attached!