Thoughts on a midwife?

SammyRae9 · October 2014

I'm looking into getting a midwife, was interested in your thoughts/experience about it

amandamarie2 · October 2014

I'm with a midwife. Two friends of mine in my city went to the same practice I'm at and had good experiences so I thought I'd look into it and it seemed the best fit for me. I decided to go with a MW because I like that they present me with all of my options (pros and cons) but focus on letting me make decisions that are best for me and my baby. One of the things my MW emphasizes is "pregnancy as a state of health" rather than a medical condition. They're also supportive of no/limited medical intervention at birth if that's what I choose which I appreciate, though I still have the option to have any sort of medication or intervention if I want or it's necessary. I have the option of a home birth or a hospital one and have decided to go to the hospital. So far I've had a positive experience.

Sorry this is so long, just wanted to give a full answer.

CivilMommy · October 2014

I prefer to receive medical care from an OB...but I have had 2 high risk pregnancies, so that skews my opinion.

I think in a normal-risk situation where you and your baby are doing well in the pregnancy - care from a midwife is just fine.

You need to think about your comfort levels with where they deliver (in/out of hospital) proximity to hospital if emergency arises, access to OB if your risk level changes, experience of the midwife and her team.

I have had 2 great pregnancy experiences with my OB, so for me there is no appeal to get a more personal or soft touch with regards to prenatal care - my OB has a fantastic bedside manner and is a mom of 3 herself. IF I didn't have a great OB - I can see how a midwife could be more appealing in that respect too.

Do what you are comfortable with - evaluate your needs/wants - discuss your risks with the midwife and see how you feel about the care they can provide.

mrsmopar67 · October 2014

Midwife is the best fit for me.

mombod · October 2014

I'm using a midwife and will give birth at a birth center attached to the hospital. I prefer less intervention when safe and my situation is low risk. I like the emphasis on pregnancy being a natural phase of life and not a medical condition. I tend to be more nervous of the interventions than of the temporary pain of childbirth. But this is what works for my personality and low risk situation. I believe you can have a positive experience either way.

redneckmomma25 · October 2014

I go to a practice that consists of 3 OBs and 3 CNMs. They are all wonderful. The MWs and the OBs are pretty like minded which is great. I feel like I have the best of both worlds. Who ever is on call will deliver whether mw or ob. They don't deliver high risk or preterm (36w or earlier) labors.

Ardmhs83 · October 2014

I had an OB last time and am going with a midwife this time. I like the midwife a lot better! I feel I have a better chance to VBAC with a midwife than I do an OB, in this area anyway. I like the less intervention approach along with feeling like a person and not a number. Everyone is different though, I'm sure their are plenty of OBs that do this as well, mine didn't last time. Interview both and decide what you like better.

edelat11 · October 2014

I would have chosen a midwife but my insurance only covers one in the city and she has horrible reviews. So I stuck with an OB

I definetly love the less intervention approach and if you're a fit to have a midwife, I'd say go for it!

smeliemelie3 · October 2014

I'm with a midwife, this is my first so I'm not sure how it's comparable to an ob but so far I've loved the support from her. Being in ontario, midwives are covered by ohip now which is great too.

kitc101 · October 2014

What @swoon13 said... It really depends on what you're looking to get out of your pregnancy/delivery/birth. I went with the CNM's at the group I go to because it is a more personalized experience. Where I go, the OB's just show up last minute, whereas the CNM's stay with you. Also, for both options, you get whomever is on call at the time-so it really didn't matter to me. The CNM's are very open minded, which I like. I met with an OB first and the guy was just...creepy. So I decided to go with the CNMs based off my first visit, I didn't want to chance getting the creepo during delivery...

jmhansen11 · October 2014

I don't want to hijack this thread- but speaking of midwives: I'm planning to use a midwife but also debating between doing a home birth or one at the birth center (it's not attached to the hospital, just close by). Is a "natural birth center" really any safer than a homebirth? DH and I were trying to figure out if we were kidding ourselves in thinking that the birth center was any safer than homebirth.

mindala31 · October 2014

I too am going with a midwife and a doula. I will still deliver in a hospital and if something happens that raises a concern an OB will be there.
If you decide to go with an OB I would look into getting a doula. They will be able to help you with pain management and will be your advocate. Your OB might check in with you to see how your are progressing but a doula will be dedicated to you the whole time. They can help coach you and your partner.

mrsmopar67 · October 2014

jmhansen11 said:
I don't want to hijack this thread- but speaking of midwives: I'm planning to use a midwife but also debating between doing a home birth or one at the birth center (it's not attached to the hospital, just close by). Is a "natural birth center" really any safer than a homebirth? DH and I were trying to figure out if we were kidding ourselves in thinking that the birth center was any safer than homebirth.

As far as I've read, the "safety" is assessed by mothers condition. Are you low risk? I don't know the difference with statistics between a birth center and hospital, but the birth center by me still has to follow beaurocratic rules set in place to minimize liability instead of evidence based practice. So, at home, I would have significantly more freedom to labor and birth with my body's specific time clock in mind. The birth center would have risked me out and required interventions and augmentation.

theinvadermothership · October 2014

So happy i went with a midwife. I'm allowed to have the birth i want with all the options laid out for me. I'm seeing a group of CNMs and am just so pleased at how sweet and understanding they are. Very reassuring too.

Babykells3 · October 2014

I had a midwife with DS1 and absolutely loved her! I could call her at any time, was never rushed during appointments, We were planning a home birth but I ended up going into preterm labour at 31 weeks. She met me at my house to check me out, drive me to the hospital and stayed most of the day with me reassuring me about everything, explaining everything that was happening to my husband and I. She didn't make it for my sons actual delivery but showed up as the NICU team was wheeling him out of the delivery room. She spent most of that day with us in the NICU and came back once or twice a week to check up with us and help with any nursing help that we needed for the 4 weeks that my son was there. She was a saint!
Unfortunately because of the preterm birth (which was due to an abruption) I am classed as high risk from now on, DS2 was also born at 36 weeks, so an OB it is for me. If I could do it all over again I would though, I'm very much pro- midwives!

specialsn0wflake · October 2014

I love my MW! Compared to my OB I used with my son, she makes me feel like I am important, gives me time and attention during appointments. She personally calls me with test results, concerns, etc. My only regret is not using a MW last time!

taahira · October 2014

I'm pro midwife, I had a wonderful experience with my DD in a birthing unit. I would use them again, however this time I'm considered high risk and it would not be possible.

jobotrobot · October 2014

@ctwifey2012 or anyone else- Is that something that's covered by insurance or do you pay out of pocket? I'm curios as to how midwives/doulas/birthing centers are billed. Thanks!

Ncountrygal · October 2014

jobotrobot said:
@ctwifey2012 or anyone else- Is that something that's covered by insurance or do you pay out of pocket? I'm curios as to how midwives/doulas/birthing centers are billed. Thanks!

It depends on the midwife practice and your insurance coverage. Calling to ask is easiest way to find out. I'm covered with our current midwives but wasn't with group I wanted to go with last time.

EssJayCee · November 2014

I am with a CNM at an OB practice. My midwife will deliver my daughter unless I encounter any problems, in which case one of the two OBs would step in. I've met with both of them and love them as well... everyone in the practice has a "midwife" mentality. They are very easy going, loving, and I always feel like I have undivided attention there, whereas at two previous OBGYN offices I felt like just another patient to rush through.

[Deleted User] · November 2014

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kurban627 · November 2014

I go to a midwife and I love them, but I birth in a hospital. My daughter was 2 weeks late and I had to be induced. I tried without meds but I couldn't physically do it. She was 10 lbs 2.4 oz and I almost needed a C section but got her out. I won't give birth at home since I had that experience. However, having the baby at the hospital gave me access to the OB and all of the emergency equipment and still gave me the comfort and flexibility of the midwives. It was the best of both worlds for me.

Yaz14 · November 2014

I live in New Zealand and more women here are cared for by midwives than OBs. The level of care is fantastic and every one of my friends who has had a baby has gone through a MW. I however am with a practice of OBs and MWs. This is more for mine and DHs state of mind than anything else. A lot of my day to day care and questions etc are taken care of by one of the MWs which I like. They're all perfectly capable. My baby's birth will be attended by an OB but I understand the hospital MWs will also have a lot to do with it.

mombod · November 2014

jobotrobot said:
@ctwifey2012 or anyone else- Is that something that's covered by insurance or do you pay out of pocket? I'm curios as to how midwives/doulas/birthing centers are billed. Thanks!

It's covered by insurance.

ewilson74 · November 2014

I had always assumed I would go with a MW, but now that the time has come I am with an OB. My sister highly recommended her and all the reviews were amazing. She lays out all options, and I feel totally in control and supported. It is really about finding someone that you connect with. You are going to find great practitioners and duds in both systems.

JaneShops · November 2014

Nothing against MWs, but I'm OB all the way. I think it's the years of working in the ER of at a level I trauma center, I've seen some questionable home/ birth center scares that are transported for higher level of care. "Little things", like medical history & birthing plans get skimmed over since everything becomes an emergent Rush. If you're borderline qualified, just bump your care up to the OB. On the other hand, I've had friends who had wonderful home birth experiences. I'm just not as confident

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DD 7/2010, DS 3/2012, #3 due 4/24/2015

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