seeing a midwife while pregnant with twins

CuteBride8808 · January 2012

Just wondering if anyone saw a midwife while pregnant with twins (or multiples)? I am seeing the midwifery group at my OBs office, but the actual OB doctor will only be present for the delivery itself. I get all my ultrasounds by MFM. One of my friends thought I should only be seeing doctors since im pregnant with twins. What do you girls think? Has anyone been to just midwives?

ninjabridemom · January 2012

Your MFM IS a doctor. That would be my concern -- the ultrasounds, so they can keep an eye on everything.

I am going to doctors b/c of the twin-type, and because I am already familiar with the hospital system. If I was pregnant w 1 I'd be going to the midwives for sure, which would have required me changing hospitals all together, but with the surprise (of the pregnancy, sort of, and then of twins) I felt more comfortable staying where I knew people. And then as I learned more about the possible complications of mono-di twins I was more confident in my choice to stay.

But there are TONS of successful twin pregnancies w/ midwives. I like that you are already covering your bases, too, w/ the MFM. So -- I think you're okay.

macchiatto · January 2012

That's good that you're seeing an MFM. Is s/he comfortable with the level of care you're receiving from your midwives? that's who I would ask.

Darcie Elicia · January 2012

I did but it didn't end up working out. Sounds like you're in a good situation and lots of people are overseeing your care. As long as you feel comfortable I'd say stick with it. They'll transfer your care to a doctor if they think you need it.

KarlsSweetie05 · January 2012

I wanted to see a midwife, but none in my area would take me with twins + other complicating health factors.

I think since you are being monitored by a MFM and getting regular u/s and tests, you are OK if you are REGULARLY being monitored by the MFM.

Did you ask your MFM for a timeline of appointments and steadily increase the # of vists as your pg progessess? How often will you get u/s? Will they give you non-stress tests if warrented? D you need to have approval from the midwife each time you want to see the MFM or can you call and schedule appointment if you feel you need one?

missfire · January 2012

If you have regular monitoring by your MFM, that sounds like the perfect arrangement to me. I saw a midwife with my singleton, and I loved the long appointments where I could ask dumb questions, talk about my health overall, get good information about what to expect at delivery, etc. It was relaxing and helped me feel like my body was doing what it should and I didn't need to worry.

My MFM visits were so stressful. I would have loved to ask my basic pregnancy questions during my twin pregnancy with a midwife, rather than an OB who was rushed and all business. All I really needed from my OB was the regular testing, like urine tests and strep tests, general support, and planning for the birth. A midwife would have been wonderful. It was what I started my pregnancy with (before finding out it was twins) and I was really shocked how different an OB was. My midwives were infinitely more patient and kind, more experienced with labor and birth, and more focused on educating me about pregnancy and birth.

Breezy8407 · January 2012

I started out with a midwives group before we found out it was twins. After that, I had to go back to my OB. They (or the clinic system) have a policy that they don't do high risk.

I alternate between seeing my OB and an NP for my regular appointments. The NP spends a lot more time with me and is more like a midwife in that sense.

schoolsoutbride · January 2012

I saw the midwives for me. The OB who worked with them would have delivered baby B if I hadn't had to have a c-section because of a breech baby A. As it is, the midwife assisted with the c-section. If I hadn't had a c-section, I would have labored with the mw and she would have delivered baby A.

I saw a MFM to keep track of the babies.

CuteBride8808 · January 2012

I don't actually see the MFM doctor ....the ultrasonographer consults MFM with all my ultrasounds, but I don't actually speak with the doctor. However, if there is ever a concern either from my midwife or from the ultrasonographer on my ultrasound, I would see the MFM doctor. I am getting closely monitored every 2 weeks.

Thanks for your input! I feel that the midwives are much more coddling, which is exactly what I need. She actually gave me a hug after my first visit, they never rush me, and I feel like I can contact them at any point and not feel rushed or stupid with my questions. I will stick with the midwives unless there are complications

Fancy3Face · January 2012

I wanted to use a midwife, but when I found out I was having twins and all the added risk factors, I opted OB and MFM for the extra monitoring. I'm sure there are a lot of women who used a midwife with no issue though. Its all what you feel comfortable with. GL!

caden · January 2012

The only twin mom I know IRL who saw a midwife saw one exclusively and it was a disaster. I'm glad you're seeing a MFM. Well, the office at least. Is your midwife up on PTL symptoms, other high risk complications? Is your midwife being advised by OBs in the same office? That is the part that concerns me. I know you get more face time with a midwife, but since she's not a doctor, and you're not actually seeing a MFM, who would be looking for clues to all the high risk complications twin moms face?

Switzerland87 · January 2012

Breezy8407:

I started out with a midwives group before we found out it was twins. After that, I had to go back to my OB. They (or the clinic system) have a policy that they don't do high risk.

I alternate between seeing my OB and an NP for my regular appointments. The NP spends a lot more time with me and is more like a midwife in that sense.

The practice I go to has the same policy. I was planning on seeing the midwives as well as the OBs but once they found out that it was twins, they told me I would only be able to see the OBs. They only allow midwives for low risk pregnancies.

schoolsoutbride · January 2012

I rarely saw the actual MFM either.

KellyD01 · January 2012

I saw a midwife practice and was 1000% confident in my care. I saw MFM around 28 weeks, and then again for a quickie meeting after a midwife appt around 35 weeks when baby A was still breech to talk about the oncoming c/s if she really didn't flip (which she didn't) I would assume if your midwives are in an ob's office they work with that ob in which case the have someone overseeing their cases. In my case my midwives work w/ the MFM at my hospital and meet with them weekly to discuss cases. in the event of a question during an appt the midwives will excuse them self to talk to the mfm or call them if there's noone in the offices at that time. If I ever got pregnant again being it single or multiple I'd see the same practice w/o question.

adacopeach · January 2012

I don't have any experience with a midwife and how that all works. My only question/concern would be does the midwife look after your well being while pregnant? The way my OB explained her role is that her primary concern while I was pregnant was me and my MFM's primary concern was the babies. Not to say that both don't monitor and/or offer input on the other subject. My OB collects urine at every visit to check for any Vitamin deficiencies or abnormalities. Also, she does blood testing periodically. She was able to catch that I was deficent in Vitamin D3 and also Iron. So, I have since been on supplements to counteract that. That would be the question I would have?!?! Good luck!

E&RMommy · January 2012

Surely there are many midwives capable of caring for twins.

Consider this. MFMs are trained through 4 years of residency and 3 years of fellowship to deal with high risk. OB/GYNs train through 4 years of residency. Midwives (which can be lay or CNMs) have no where near the same exposure or education. It's not to say they aren't great or educated; it's just not the same.

Ob/gyn training contains high volume of patients. It takes a very high volume of normal to see the much needed abnormal.

Midwivery programs do not get the same volume and thus less exposure to the outliers. When midwife patients become complicated usually an ob/gyn steps in to manage.

The question is if the midwives you are entrusting have the proper experience to recognize when they are needing ob/gyns or MFMs to intervene. You only see what you know to look for in medicine.

It's a tough question that only you can answer.

Good luck!

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