Ob-Gyn vs Midwife: Which did you go with and why?

gaelic_girl · February 2010

At my hospital, the Ob-Gyns and Midwives deliver in the same floor, with access to the same anesthesiologists and the same NICU. I'm thinking it might be nicer to go with a midwife, because I'd get a little more attention and there'd be less risk of the doctor thinking I need a C-section when I really don't.

Anyone else have (or had) a similar choice? What did you choose and why?

Allie

lpstl · February 2010

Midwifery just became legal in MO less than 2 years ago, so they are still extremely rare. Unfortunately, you just don't have much of a choice here.

balletrina · February 2010

I decided to switch providers about a month ago and might have chosen a midwife if my health insurance covered them, but it doesn't. Instead, I found an OB who is very pro-natural childbirth and anti-intervention, and I'm also using a doula.

ToBeMrsT · February 2010

no midwives where I live so I see an OB.

gypsywitch · February 2010

i don't think my insurance covers midwives. And I'm having a VBAC and have lots of pregnancy issues in the past, a doc jsut sounded safer for my situation.

nestinginjapan · February 2010

I'm going with a midwife because there's a better chance that one of the 3 that I meet with for my appointments will actually be there to deliver my baby. I also feel comfortable with the ones I've met. That's the biggest reason. I also just like the philosophy of the midwives at my dr's office.

Danikat15 · February 2010

I went with a OB-GYN mainly because she's who most of my friends have used in the past. They all were really happy with her and she delivers at the hospital I prefer. I never considered a midwife and I have no good reason for it. Just never crossed my mind.

Mrs. Gizzles · February 2010

The office that I go to has 2 doctors and 2 midwives. I've seen all of them throughout my pregnancy. At some point, one of the midwives talked with me about the difference between a Dr. and Midwife delivery. She said that the midwives spend more time with you during the labor (not just showing up at the last second to catch the baby) and practice a lot of techniques to help facilitate a vaginal birth with as little damage (think tears or episiotomy) as possible. I have chosen to have the midwives deliver me, and I know that if I need a c-section I already have a relationship with the Drs who are backing them up. I would suggest you find out who would back up the midwife in case of an emergency so that you have an opportunity to meet that doctor too.

lalaphoenix · February 2010

I switched providers but my 1st dr said she would prefer an OB/GYN to deliver as it is my 1st LO. Luckily, my 2nd OB/GYN is anti-intervention so I'm quite happy with my decision. Subsequent pregnancies will be with a midwife providing everything goes well with this delivery.

BelhurstBride · February 2010

There aren't many midwives available here. I spent a lot of time researching in order to find an OB who is progressive in laboring techniques and avoids any interventions until absolutely necessary. And to be honest, I'm more comfortable with the thought of having a MD present.

IrishBrideND · February 2010

My insurance only covers a few options, and it just so happens they don't cover any midwives in the area. So, that made my decision for me.

babyrichsmama · February 2010

I live in MO and have always gone to a MW. My best friend just delivered with the same MW I use and the difference between her and my friends OB with the first child was the MW did more than just catch the baby. She was there through the long labor, tried lots of alternative techniques to get her dilated more, massaged her cervix etc. She has great bedside manner and so often with Dr's they just come in at the last minute, deliver, stitch and leave. It's a more personal approach really, but there are always docs at the hospital in case of emergency. But the practice I go to has 3 docs and 3 midwives on staff/call rotation so the chance that I'll be getting to use mine are slim!

Athena5692 · February 2010

I can't stand my OB anymore (1. He seriously asks me why I'm there at every appt -- I'm pregnant, duh 2. He answers my questions in as few words as possible to get me out the door as quick as possible 3. Just found out he won't deliver how I want). Just found out my insurance covers mid-wives so I think I will switch next week.

Madison789 · February 2010

I switched from an OB to a midwife at 20 weeks. I'm trying to minimize my chances for getting a c-section as much as possible, which is why I decided to switch. The midwifes and OBs are in the same office, attached to the hospital. All prenatal testing is the same, and because the insurance covers the docs and the hospital, they cover the midwives too.

I'm very happy with the care I've received from my midwife, thus far. Far more personal than seeing my old OB. She gave me no trouble at all when I decided to skip the gestational diabetes testing. When there was the possibility of preterm labor, she had me come right in, and did an ultrasound and fetal monitoring. She is very anti-intervention; doesn't do internals unless there is a medical reason like PTL to do one, and supportive of my Hypnobabies delivery approach. I can't wait to deliver with her.

I should add that I'm well over 35, and pregnant with my first (only). Being older doesn't mean that you can't use a midwife.

Ruthgers · February 2010

OB. I've been seeing him for several years and have been through some outpatient surgery with him in the past. His office is also part of the hospital complex. I've been happy him the past few years so I didn't see a need to change.

MrsDeHav · February 2010

i went to an ob for my first few appts, but at my practice you have to see ALL of the obs (there are 12 of them) during your pregnancy since you dont know who will be on call. there are only 4 nurse-midwives and i thought i would be able to get more individualized attention. plus, i want an intervention-free birth (if possible). switching to the midwives made sense for me and i'm really glad i did! i feel like i get personal attention at all of my appts and never feel rushed.

halfpintlbk · February 2010

I strongly considered a midwife, but I have a number of medical issues that I knew could complicate the pregnancy so I decided to go with an OB this time. Next time I might use a midwife, but overall I've been very pleased with my OB.

funnibaby · February 2010

We have both at my hospital, but I have to have an OB because I'm high risk and will have a scheduled csection.

A Certified Nurse Midwife option at the hospital is a nice option, since you can have traditional Midwife care, an epidural if you want, and access to emergency care for you or baby if needed. I think it is a really nice option.

Heather

kmpls · February 2010

OB. w/my med Hx I knew I would get referred to one anyways! Wink

I really like my OB - he listens to me, only offers internals if I want, and delivers 80-90% of his patients.

chazlewo · February 2010

the CN midwife in my practice was not accepting anymore may moms when i inquired about using her. that being said, i really like my doctor, and she seems more midwifey in practice than other ob's i've heard about.

x55centsxshortx · February 2010

It was hard for me to decide Midwife vs. OB but in the end I picked OB. I decided this for two main reasons: I would have to have paid everything out of pocket for the midwife and the midwife I liked was not linked to a hospital just a birthing center. I was ok with the birthing center idea for awhile but then decided it made me a little uncomfortable due to my horrible asthma and breathing problems.... one of those just to be on the safe side type of things. Well, I found an OB that I really love and I am glad I made that decision because the midwife's policy was to refer you out if you ever became high risk. I have been high risk for three different reasons in my pregnancy and would to have hated to switch at 22 weeks.

BrainySmurfette · February 2010

If I wasn't high risk, I would prefer a midwife. However, I need to see an MFM (high risk OB) b/c I have high BP and had severe pre-e/HELLP with my first pregnancy.

I did start out my first pregnancy with midwives, and I really liked the care I received. When I did start to develop serious problems with my first pregnancy, they did catch it right away. They continued to provide care until I was able to find an OB I liked--and they helped find one to transfer to. I still go to the midwifery group for my routine gyn stuff.

BottomStar · February 2010

My doctor's office has 8 OBs and 8 midwives, 1 of each are on call all the time. If i have a "normal" vaginal delivery with no complications, a midwife will deliver the baby. If I have any complications or require a c-section, the OB will take over. It was never explained to me as something I had a choice about, but I really like all 16 of them so I'll be fine however things go down.

Heather R · February 2010

OB because I actually trust the medical profession and don't care about natural vs. interventions, etc.

lesalia217 · February 2010

This is exactly the reason we are going with a MW. I want to go natural, and although my DH is great, we both want a little more support. I am going with a MW outside of a hospital in a birth center, which is 1.4mi down the road from my hospital. (So I feel safe if intervention is needed). There are alot of laws here in SC about being able to see a MW in the first place. Basically it is to make sure that anyone with risks or the potential to need intervention are kept in a hospital. But I feel very comfortable with the MW and love the idea that I will have someone there the whole time. For us there will also be an additional midwife (state law to have two at every birth), and their apprentice, who will act as a doula.

L's mommy · February 2010

I chose an OB because I really like my OB. She is really down to earth and spends a lot of time with her patients. She delivered me the first time and was great during all the prenatal appointments and delivery. She is also a solo practicioner which is nice since it means she will be the one to deliver me.

gaelic_girl · February 2010

It's so cool to read so many different opinions and from so many different states. I still need to find out more information and all this input is valuable too.

I forgot to add, I'm not high-risk, my insurance pays both options, I've only met this OB a few times (he seems nice enough) but they're on rotation so there's no guarantee I'd get him for delivery.

Thank you all and good luck to everyone!

Allie

DreaMe23 · February 2010

We wanted a midwife b/c we wanted someone to support our natural birth someone who had time to take care of us and build a relationship of trust with us. Our insurance company (Kaiser) is really big and has lots of midwives, but first we went to see an OB because of some complications (we didn't like her) and then when we went to one of the midwives that worked for the hospital she seemed more overworked than the doctors. I think b/c the midwifes cost less than the doctors so the hospital has them do more. We switched to a different OB and she's attentive and caring, though we still don't often see her for more than 5 minutes a visit.

I think this would definitely be the exception to the general midwifery experience, especially if you are hiring a midwife who has her own practice or works for a birth center instead of a health care manufacturing center like Kaiser, but I thought I would tell you in case you are also in a big insurance entity.

mrsfirefly · February 2010

My hospital is just like yours so I made the decision to go with the midwife.

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