Midwife or OB?

yesthisiskim · August 2010

I really liked the midwife I saw on Monday. And the thought of having a midwife is very comforting to me, for some reason. But because I'm having twins, that puts me at high risk and I'm now debating about using an OB because they could do more for me, especially on the big day and ifthere are any medical complications.

Anyone have any advice? Did you use an OB or a midwife, and who/what would you suggest?

eisenberg0814 · August 2010

How are you planning on giving birth? If the answer is CS you might want to go to a OB rather than midwife, or at least a midwife that works with an OB... I loved my midwife and gave birth with the other one in her practice. it was wonderful.

lauralovesbob · August 2010

I plan to get a midwife (and let me preface that -- this is after going through medical school thinking I was going to be an OB/GYN), but I would use an OB for anything other than routine low risk pregnancy. You may be able to find a practice that has both -- so that you can plan to deliver with the midwife but have the OB on backup if you end up needing a CS with twins. If you deliver with a midwife at a hospital anywhere, there are always OBs on backup for CSections, but it ends up being whoever's on call for the hospital. You may want to get to know them a little better.

andrea922 · August 2010

Midwives can do everything OBs can do minus anything surgical, so if you are going to have a CS then an OB would be the way to go. If you want to try for a vaginal birth then you could go with a MW. I have only used a MW, for my ds and for this one and would go no other way, but had an uncomplicated pregnancy with ds.

schoolsoutbride · August 2010

I'm PG with twins and am seeing a midwife in conjunction with a high-risk OB (MFM). The midwives delivery baby A and the OB delivers baby B. I wanted the midwife b/c I thought I'd have a better chance of a vaginal birth, though of course that all depends on the presentation of Baby A, which we won't know for a long time. The MFM is to make sure the babies are growing well, that my cervix isn't changing, etc.

I delivered my son with a midwife and think they're much better at managing a typical labor, whereas OBs I think are really trained to handle emergencies (which the midwives are well trained to recognize and pass on.)

ETA: b/c I'm having twins and hoping to go without an epi, the midwives said they'd stay with me through my whole labor, which is not always the case with midwives in a hospital (they often rotate like an OB would, though are still there for more of the labor than I think an OB would be. My last midwife was there through transition and 2.5 hours of pushing.)

3003girl · August 2010

you can also find a MW that works with an OB. I would look for a Certified Nurse Midwife or someone licensed by your state. The MW's I used were associated with a hospital (they had practicing rights there and could deliver at the hospital) and worked with an OB if necessary and had specialists available. So if there were complications, it turned into a team instead of just the midwife.

m0132 · August 2010

Could you find a MW that works with OBs as well? A midwife could give you all of your prenatal care and if you are wanting a vaginal delivery, and the baby's position allows it, the midwife could still deliver you. If one ended up being breech close to delivery you could get to know the OBs in the office as well throughout your pregnancy, that way you are comfortable with them if a C-section is needed.

I used an OB with DD but I lean more towards the views of midwives, I don't like any unnecessary medical intervention and I think you get that more with OBs. My OB happens to be a little more lax than others and lets me decide what I want to do, while giving his opinion but never tries to force anything, so its a happy medium.

sbmp10 · August 2010

I go to a group practice with OB's and Midwives. During my pregnancy I will have to see everyone once but the majority of my visits will be with one of the two midwives. For delivery I will have one of the two midwives. Wasn't planning on a midwife last time but she was available and compared to the stories my friends have told it was a great experience. She sat in the room with us almost the entire time, ate lunch with DH and helped us every step of the way!

pamalerjean · August 2010

I attend births as a doula and midwives are amazing! If you love the midwife you saw already, stick with her and perhaps plan a hospital birth (you can also do it at home if you aren't too far from the hospital). Midwives are very well trained and know when they need to transfer care so I wouldn't hesitate to stick with them.

All the best!

MegZRN · August 2010

As a L&D nurse I think the SAFEST thing is to have an OB or at least a midwife to deliver at a hospital.

Things can go bad in labor very quickly...VERY quickly. Its not worth it to deliver at home. Sorry JMO.

andrea922 · August 2010

MegZRN:
As a L&D nurse I think the SAFEST thing is to have an OB or at least a midwife to deliver at a hospital.
Things can go bad in labor very quickly...VERY quickly. Its not worth it to deliver at home. Sorry JMO.

Where did she say she wanted to deliver at home? This is where the misconception lies. Midwives do not always equal a homebirth. In many states homebirths are illegal; and most midwives deliver at hospitals or birthing centers.

~adamwife~ · August 2010

If you want a c/s, then you will have to go with an OB. I personally prefer MWs, because I love the quality of care. If I were having twins, I would try to go vaginally with a MW.

But if you don't trust the care from the MW 100%, then you need to switch to what you feel comfortable with now.

erbear · August 2010

I've used both. I saw a mw last time until the second I needed the c-section. This time, I went with an ob, because while I'm trying to VBAC, there's a shot I'll need another c, and I'd like it to be the person who has been providing my care the whole time.

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