Midwife? Or not to Midwife?

MaggieN2028 · June 2014

Good morning!

I've been looking into the idea of having a midwife at the hospital. I'd really like the least amount of intervention possible because I should be (knock on wood) low risk. I'm not interested in doing an at home birth this time, just because this is my first labor and delivery and I do live far enough away from the hospital that in the case of emergency I don't want to travel the 30 or so minutes.

Do any of you have experiences with midwives?

Do you recommend them? What do they help with?

Midwives are sometimes covered by insurance, but doulas are not, right?

Any other info you'd want another new mom to know about them?

TIA!

amr196 · June 2014

I'm a ftm as well but I'm seeing a midwife and I love her! She works with the hospital that I go to and has her own office that she shares with another doctor so she is covered under my insurance. She is basically the same thing as a doctor she just cannot perform surgeries.
When I first met with her we discussed the difference between her and doctors and she said mainly it's a stylistic difference. While some doctors tend to treat pregnancy as a condition midwives are taught to not use the word treat (because it's not a sickness or disorder) and they "approach" it more as a phase of life that needs attention.
We spend a lot of time discussing things at my apts instead of gathering data and sending me on my way. For example last time we spent a good 20 minutes discussing breast feeding and benefits
Overall I would recommend a midwife because I've always hears good things about them and also because I love mine

but I'm sure that just as there are awesome and sucky doctors there will be both awesome and sucky midwives too
I hope I helped a little

mc0113 · June 2014

After my first appointment with my regular OB/GYN I was immediately turned off at the thought of her saying that they like to induce, even low risk patients, before 41 weeks when I knew that most doctors allow to 42 weeks barring any complications. Also, like you, I want as least interventions as possible so I switched to a midwife practice. There are 8 midwives in the practice but they are associated with and deliver in the best women's hospital in my city. I liked the idea of having a supportive natural and more personal approach to my pregnancy/delivery, but also liked the idea of being in the hospital just in case something were to happen and I needed interventions.

My first appointment with the midwife practice was so very awesome. They spent 30 minutes just talking, getting my medical history, and answering any questions that I had then another 30 minutes for my actual exam. It was a world of difference from my regular doctor and I loved it. So I'll be staying with this practice and then even after I will continue with them for my yearly well-woman visits.

This midwife practice is covered by my insurance. It might be a case by case basis if they are not associated with a hospital, so you will have to look into that.

cwbh928 · June 2014

I too am a FTM - I recently moved to a new state and did not have a OB/GYN - so when I found out I was pregnant I called on office that I liked. They asked me if I had a preference as to who I wanted to see - I reveiwed all the doctors and said whoever was available. Well go to find out - I was given a midwife. I will say at first I was very against the idea of having a midwife and so was my DH - but I did some research and found good things in regards to midwives. So we decided to give her a chance. WELL - I LOVE HER! She is great - she really takes the time to explain things and does not rush us out! She has answered all of our questions and is just a great person/midwife all around. She is also very honest and does not push us one way or another (in the sense of Meds, birth plan, etc) I was completely thrown for a loop and both my DH and I decided she would be with me throughout the pregnancy. We are still planning on going to a hospital for the birth - but she is okay with any choice we may decide. But I agree with the PP - I am sure there are good and bad midwives out there so I would your research and make sure you find someone that makes you feel comfortable!

So for the long post... Hope it helps!

LaxMOM44 · June 2014

STM, I had a midwife for my first and will again for this one. I found them
Much more supportive of my desire to do things naturally and any weird parenting/pregnancy ideas I came up with. I really loved the experience but I am also in Canada so maybe it is different?

Cheekers2010 · June 2014

MaggieN2028 said:

Do any of you have experiences with midwives? Yes. I had a homebirth midwife and an in-hospital midwife with my son (I had to transfer at 35 weeks).
Do you recommend them? What do they help with? I pretty much can not recommend them enough! I loved loved loved having a midwife. She spent plenty of time with me at every appointment. She was empathetic and responsive whenever I had problems or questions. She was knowledgeable and skilled with years of experience. It was a fantastic experience. Especially when I contrast it with having an OB this time (I'm high risk now). That said, there are bad midwives and good midwives just like there are bad OBs and good OBs. The main thing I'd say is that midwives are experts in normal childbirth. OBs are surgeons. That is their training. If you are having a low risk, healthy pregnancy then I really think the best thing you can do for yourself is find a good midwife.
Midwives are sometimes covered by insurance, but doulas are not, right? Mostly correct. We're working on it (I'm a doula). Occasionally insurance will pay for a doula but no typically.
Any other info you'd want another new mom to know about them?

jessinaround · June 2014

I've loved both midwives that I have used. They spend ample time with you during each visit. During the birth of DS, my MW let me go with whatever I felt would move things along and only directed me if she felt something would work better.
During my entire pregnancy she let me set the pace and was there to support and encourage me. I really felt like my care was tailored to me and my needs; both physically and emotionally.
She made sure I was educated and knowledgeable about pregnancy/labor/delivery and then let me make decisions. She empowered and supported my journey into motherhood. I couldn't not imagine going back to an OB after that. I cannot use the same MW this time, but the one I have now is wonderful.
** I am a low risk momma with no health complications. I feel like my experience would have been a lot different if I had any complications, even minor.

CandaceC1020 · June 2014

When I was looking for a doctor, I chose two practices to research - a multi-doctor office and a one doctor office. My first appointment was with the multi-doctor practice which has two midwives. The nurse practictioner explained midwifery care to me and I decided to give it a try. Midwife care was described to me as 'more fluffy' care. Since I'm a FTM, I want all things fluffy.

I'm so glad I chose to go with midwife care. My midwife is amazing. She's compassionate, she's encouraging, she's knowledgeable, she's patient. I've asked her some pretty up front questions about some of the local doulas and she's answered honestly - even though it may not be politically correct. I genuinely feel like my best interests are her best interests. I never feel rushed out of my appointments and she's never frustrated with the million questions that I have. She's even recommended prenatal yoga and visits to the chiropractor to help alleviate some of the pain I'm having.

I'm lucky - my midwife is covered by insurance. A doula is not. I'm waiting to get through birth classes to try to determine whether or not I'm going to need/want a doula. I highly recommend trying to find a midwife if you're interested in a little more hand holding and fluffy care.

MaggieN2028 · June 2014

Cheekers2010 said:

MaggieN2028 said:

Do any of you have experiences with midwives? Yes. I had a homebirth midwife and an in-hospital midwife with my son (I had to transfer at 35 weeks).
Do you recommend them? What do they help with? I pretty much can not recommend them enough! I loved loved loved having a midwife. She spent plenty of time with me at every appointment. She was empathetic and responsive whenever I had problems or questions. She was knowledgeable and skilled with years of experience. It was a fantastic experience. Especially when I contrast it with having an OB this time (I'm high risk now). That said, there are bad midwives and good midwives just like there are bad OBs and good OBs. The main thing I'd say is that midwives are experts in normal childbirth. OBs are surgeons. That is their training. If you are having a low risk, healthy pregnancy then I really think the best thing you can do for yourself is find a good midwife.
Midwives are sometimes covered by insurance, but doulas are not, right? Mostly correct. We're working on it (I'm a doula). Occasionally insurance will pay for a doula but no typically.
Any other info you'd want another new mom to know about them?

I'm meeting with a doula next week. I can't find a midwife in my area. What would be the advantages of having a doula in the delivery room??

MaggieN2028 · June 2014

I just did. I live in the woods, doesn't come up with anyone

only 2 midwives are covered by my insurance, I called them this morning. I can't find anything about them online. I'm thinking I'll ask the doctor next time I go in if they have recommendations of people who work with their hospital.

CandaceC1020 · June 2014

MaggieN2028 said:

I'm meeting with a doula next week. I can't find a midwife in my area. What would be the advantages of having a doula in the delivery room??

A doula is a birth coach. If you're interested in a non medicated, natural birth, you might want to look into a doula. A doula can be your advocate and help communicate your birth plan to nurses/doctors. Some doulas are trained to help with the labor pains and can help alleviate/minimize pain by massage. Oh - lots offer post natal visits to check in and see if you need anything too.

Here is a little article about doulas:

https://americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/havingadoula.html

marriedinaugust · June 2014

My OB last time had a CNM at the practice and she was on call our night. I would have loved either because they were both very supportive of our natural birth as were the nurses in the hospital. We moved so this time we are going to midwives at a birth center so we didn't have to hunt down an OB practice and hospital that would have the same views on birth that we do. I highly recommend interviewing a midwife. We did not have a doula last time and will not again this time. We felt no need to have one.

Annya26 · June 2014

Do any of you have experiences with midwives?

Yes, my first was born with a midwife.

Do you recommend them? What do they help with?

I cannot recommend them enough. My experience was fantastic. Appointments are much longer and with a much more Mother centered approach than what my friends have expressed about their OB care. We covered everything from what to expect while pregnant, how to cope with different symptoms and illnesses as the arose, birth plan, cord blood banking vs. delayed clamping, to circumcise or not, breast feeding, cosleeping, the list goes on and on. None of this was the midwife telling me what to do or what not to do, just an open discussion where I was able to ask her questions, get facts and then make my own decisions.

I received home visits after the birth of the baby, as well as having them on call 24/7 before and after the baby was born. I also received a ton of help with breastfeeding - which was done in the comfort of my own home.

My birth was in a hospital, and there were complications with the cord getting compressed and his heart rate dropping down to 50bpm and staying there. The midwives did call for an OB, but had already handled the situation without any issue before the OB could even get the the room. (and he was down the hall) I felt like they were completely competent and able to handle it.

Midwives are sometimes covered by insurance, but doulas are not, right?

No idea on this one, I am in Canada...

Any other info you'd want another new mom to know about them?

There seems to be a lot more hand holding with a midwife, which I think it wonderful -- especially for a first time Mom.

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Midwife? Or not to Midwife?

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