Benefits of a midwife?

babyliciousA · September 2011

Can anyone explain to me what the benefits of having a midwife are? How do I find a good one? I know absolutely nothing about this topic! TIA

mrsjengle · September 2011

Docs tend to follow protocol. MWs tend to take patients' suggestions into consideration.

sunflowergrl · September 2011

Before I begin, I want to clarify, that this is not a cut and dry answer. Most MW's are more holistic than OBs. If your goal is to have a med free birth, you will probably get more support from a MW than an OB.

I know I switched to my MW practice because they stay with you through your entire labor, no matter how long. OB's (around here) stick to their shifts, so you could start with one ob, and deliver with another.

For me, my MW practice just provided much more personal care. And i'll say this, switching to my Mw was the best decision I made last pg. GL I hope you figure out what is right for you.

as for finding one, I would start by looking on your insurance website. GL

J&PJax · September 2011

I just got back from my first prenatal visit, with a midwife (standard practice at the group I go to). She explained, similar to what a PP stated, that the MW stays with you throughout your labor, a constant person periodically checking your status, helping and supporting you, etc. They offer a team option, both MW and OB. So, the MW would stay with me and the OB would come in for delivery. She said that without the midwife, I might have a couple of different medical students who the OB doesn't know at all, who would then call the OB in when I progressed to a certain point. You can go with just one or the other, but I'm really happy that I get the option of having both! The MW for ongoing support and the OB in case of any complications.

ECUGirl2004 · September 2011

I used midwives with my son because I wanted few interventions. I had seen enough episodes of A Baby Story to know that I didn't want Pitocin if I could avoid it. Before I even got pregnant with DS, I started reading birth stories, and I was most drawn to natural births at birth centers. I found a birth center in my area and knew that's where I wanted to go.

The approach to childbirth is usually different. They don't see it as an illness that needs to be treated. Instead, it's viewed as a natural part of life. Here's a site with lots of helpful info: https://mana.org/definitions.html

I'll be going back to the birth center for this pregnancy/birth as well.

shortpoole · September 2011

This will be my first so I am no expert but I can tell you how I came to my decision, which is to have both. I live in Ontario Canada so we our healthcare covers both.

I expect my OB to be able to help me out more from a medical standpoint and my MW to be there for a support to me and my husband. To answer questions and provide comfort through her experience.

katiem1025 · September 2011

I've also read and heard that with a midwife you get way longer appointment times.

ChicagoErin20 · September 2011

Great question!

Does anyone know if insurance covers them?

ECUGirl2004 · September 2011

ChicagoErin20:

Great question!

Does anyone know if insurance covers them?

Usually. If a midwife is with an OBGYN practice, then your insurance should cover it. My birth center is now in network with my insurance plan, so it's covered and much more affordable this time. Last time they were out of network and I think I had to pay 30% out of pocket.

Jessica&Brett · September 2011

Watch "The Business of Being Born"!

mrsjengle · September 2011

sunflowergrl:
Before I begin, I want to clarify, that this is not a cut and dry answer. Most MW's are more holistic than OBs. If your goal is to have a med free birth, you will probably get more support from a MW than an OB.

I know I switched to my MW practice because they stay with you through your entire labor, no matter how long. OB's (around here) stick to their shifts, so you could start with one ob, and deliver with another.

For me, my MW practice just provided much more personal care. And i'll say this, switching to my Mw was the best decision I made last pg. GL I hope you figure out what is right for you.

as for finding one, I would start by looking on your insurance website. GL

This really depends on how the docs/mw are in your area. My MW saw me when I was admitted at 12am, at 2am when I asked for my epi, at 6am to check me, at 7am to break my water, at 8am to start Pitocin and she showed up halfway through my pushing. I pushed about 50 mins. She showed up about 20-30mins in. Also after she stitched me up, I never saw her again. Another doc did weekend rounds!

KDR1979 · September 2011

You can find a midwife at acnm.org

Want a personalized experience?

Benefits of a midwife?

Re: Benefits of a midwife?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards