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New to natural birth and have q's

Aburns42Aburns42
in Natural Birth

This is my first pregnancy and would love to do natural birth with a midwife. I was wondering what you would ask a midwife when trying to choose one? I have no idea on where to even begin. I will be 8 weeks on friday and am hoping to choose a midwife that will take care of all of my pregnancy needs starting in January. I will not have health insurance coverage until the New Year.  

 Also if you could tell me any tips that you think a new timer should know, thank you!

 

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Re: New to natural birth and have q's

  • Amanda&EricBAmanda&EricB member

    I did not use a midwife but I think the questions for a midwife can be similar as those for an obgyn. You want to know her philosophy on birth, in gereal. Where does she deliver- a birth center, hospital, homes, all or none of the above?

    Does she belong to a group, where they rotate on call duties? Are you ok with not knowing EXACTLY who will be delivering your baby (although you will meet all the partners, of course).

    Is she open to things that are important to you (only you will know what those are)?

     

    Wyatt 9/6/2011 
    Tessa 7/5/2013
    Baby #3- ????? (ttc soon)


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  • Aburns42Aburns42
    Thank you! I would have had no idea what to ask. 
    Lilypie Maternity tickers
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  • choppinbroccoli22choppinbroccoli22 member

    OK, first step is finding one that is covered. Go to midwife.org, and find the ones in your area. Then plug into insurance website and see if they are covered. I had to try every parameter imaginable and finally the street address found the midwife I was searching on my insurance website.

    Next, midwives do have a certain approach, but depending on where they practice, the policies might be different. Find out policies that control visitors, including children/sibs, how long you stay after delivery, what the time frame is for water break to other interventions being necessary... those things will differ from place to place.

    You might be interested to know some things about your midwife's background, number of births, etc. That will get you started...

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  • pdilly2bpdilly2b member
    Also good to ask their statistics about how many patients get epidurals, c-sections, and vacuum/forceps.  And plans for how, why, and how often they transfer patients to an OB.  You may ask their thoughts/policies on heplock instead of IV, laboring in water/other pain management, intermittent instead of continuous monitoring, episiotomies, pitocin shot after delivery, and delayed cord clamping.
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    DS, May 2011
    DD, April 2014

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  • arcook0307arcook0307 member

    imagepdilly2b:
    Also good to ask their statistics about how many patients get epidurals, c-sections, and vacuum/forceps.  And plans for how, why, and how often they transfer patients to an OB.  You may ask their thoughts/policies on heplock instead of IV, laboring in water/other pain management, intermittent instead of continuous monitoring, episiotomies, pitocin shot after delivery, and delayed cord clamping.

     

    Couldn't have said it better!  I was at a birthing center so all this stuff was a given but when you go to a midwife that works for a regular hospital, which is going to be my experience this go round....I think asking lots of questions is a must.  We also had a doula.  I was under the impression that a midwife labored with you more.  In my case she walked in at the last second just like I hear all the doctors do.   

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  • arcook0307arcook0307 member

    imagepdilly2b:
    Also good to ask their statistics about how many patients get epidurals, c-sections, and vacuum/forceps.  And plans for how, why, and how often they transfer patients to an OB.  You may ask their thoughts/policies on heplock instead of IV, laboring in water/other pain management, intermittent instead of continuous monitoring, episiotomies, pitocin shot after delivery, and delayed cord clamping.

     

    Couldn't have said it better!  I was at a birthing center so all this stuff was a given but when you go to a midwife that works for a regular hospital, which is going to be my experience this go round....I think asking lots of questions is a must.  We also had a doula.  I was under the impression that a midwife labored with you more.  In my case she walked in at the last second just like I hear all the doctors do.   

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