Is anyone using a Midwife?

FutureMrsW9 · November 2013

Now that I've been told to make my first OB appointment, I'm starting to think about whether I'm going to stay with my OB or find a Midwife. I'm just starting to research the pros/cons of each, so I'm really not that knowledgeable yet. Are any of you ladies using a Midwife even after IF? If so, why did you choose that route and how has your experience been so far?

twistsandturnsto2 · November 2013

Do you mind if I piggy back a question too? I'm sort of in the same situation and I hope you don't mind!

My first official OB appointment was today and I was asked if I just want to be seen by doctors, a combo of docs and midwives, or just midwives(they have all options available at the practice). I am just at a loss about how to choose!

becomingmommyagain · November 2013

We'll go Doc's only. For a couple of reasons.

I'll be considered high risk - prior pregnancies with high blood pressure, eclampsia, gestational diabetes, etc...and the IVF weight gain isnt helping any. We're going with a practice that specializes in high risk care. We'll rotate through all physicians and even a midwife over the course of the pregnancy, but we'll deliver in the hospital with a physician.

...this is our one shot for baby. I know that midwife delivery is statistically as safe for most as physician delivery, but given my history of preterm labor and complications, I'm not willing to take any chances.

BeeBee08 · November 2013

I am.

The practice I'm with works very closely with the OB's at the hospital I will deliver at. In Ontario,there are very strict regulations and guidelines as to when you need to have shared cared or a transfer of care to an OB so I feel very confident that as long as I continue to progress risk and complication free, I will get equal quality care from a midwife.

I am a fan of the time they spend with you at each appointment (at least half an hour) and of the after care. THey will come to my house every day for the first week and tapering down for the next few weeks. I also appreciate that of the two midwives assigned to me, at least 1 of them is guaranteed to be at my delivery.

I feel like I need some part of this experience to be non-clinical. I mean, we conceived our baby in an operating room, the more I can do now to make this feel like an organic experience the happier I will be. If I end up with a transfer of care to an OB, I will be okay with that too, but I just like the idea of my caregiver showing genuine interest and happiness and that's what I get from my midwife and what I didn't get from my OB, who wanted me in and out as quick as possible.

It's totally different for everyone though Good Luck with your research!

Mrs.AmyDylan · November 2013

Lurking from SAIF. We delivered with a midwife at a birthing center. I originally started at a big OB practice. I waited forever, only to be rushed through time with the doc. No one could ever answer my questions when I called. No one seemed to know or care who I was.

I started looking at switching for a lot of the same reasons as @beebee08. I was just tired of such high interventions. I love, love, love my birthing center! Once you are in the door, you are part of the family. Appointments are about an hour. They get to know YOU. They want your SO involved. They have fantastic aftercare with lactation consultants (which I needed). You are carefully monitored and they refer you to a high risk doc if they are at all concerned. If you have to be transported during your birth process (ie, you want an epi, they go with and stay with you).

I ended up with the most beautiful, zen, intervention-free (and med free) water birth. I was team green and found out I had a girl when I looked myself after she was snuggled my my chest. To think that I almost missed that experience because I thought I had to go OB after IVF..

Meet with the midwife or birthing center. Tour. Get informed. If it seems too risky for you or just not a comfortable situation (it wasn't for my IRL IVF buddy), the OB route is always available and totally fine. Good luck and congrats on your pregnancy!

rcnavywife · November 2013

I had a midwife for my older DS following IF We had a wonderful experience throughout the pregnancy, birth, and the post-partum care was phenomenal. I had a hospital delivery with my midwife and they were supportive of any choice I made (med free vs. epidural, etc.) If it is something you're interested in, do your research and interview a few midwives to find one you're comfortable with. Where I delivered (British Columbia) there were also very strict guidelines as to when care was to be transferred, etc.

bhead81 · November 2013

I am using the midwife service through my OB office. Personally I chose midwife over OB as I like the attention they provide. I like the idea that a midwife will be with me throughout labor instead of just at the end like most OBs are. I was very happy that my OB office has midwives in the office as if I need to go with the OB route that is an easy transition. Actually during months 6 and 9 visits I will meet with the OB and midwife together. They do this in case I need to transfer care an OB at the office is familiar (at least slightly) with my case.I also plan to deliver without meds if possible so I like that the midwives are more in tune to this and can provide support methods to encourage a med free delivery.

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