Midwife or Doctor-Advice Please!

jlbelmonte · January 2015

We're trying to decide between using a midwife or a doctor and I would love some advice! Can you use both?

jlbelmonte · January 2015

I've been seeing a doctor but I've read midwife's can be more personal or spend more time. I know there's lot's of differences from what I've read but I was mostly curious of what other people's experiences have been and if one seemed more helpful than the other.

sutavim2 · January 2015

I'm using a nurse-Midwife. I would have used a midwife, but the practice I like would be over an hour away. The good thing is that they would come to the house to check on you, etc. with the nurse-midwife, even though I am in a hospital building, the midwife wing is entirely different. They are so sweet- as mine said, "you're not sick. You don't need a doctor. I'm there to help your body do what it was designed to do." They are very easy going and supportive. The practice also includes free doulas.
Do your research. Interview both, tour both a hospital and a birth center, and then decide what you are most comfortable with.

SoonToBeGenao · January 2015

I have no experience with a doctor but my first was born in a birth center with certified midwives and this will be a home birth with a certified midwife. They get to know you on a deeper and more personal level and I just adore the care I've received

ifwisheswerefishes · January 2015

My immediate advice is midwife, if you can. From my experience, they are generally way more invested in mother AND baby and not just the birthing process. That isn't a dig against OBs, just what I've found.

DocTaco · January 2015

My advice if you want personalized care is to get a doula and then it doesn't matter if you are with a midwife or an OB. Midwives tend to be more focused on patient-centered care and on avoiding interventions (membrane stripping, internal checks, fewer u/s, inductions, etc). I was with a midwifery practice for the birth of my first son who partnered with a doctor in case there was a need for an emergency C-section or something. This was also important because some insurance won't cover midwifery care unless there is a medical doctor to bill through.

But, I found that during L&D, I saw my midwife as little as I imagine I'd see an OB. Now, when she did come in for checks she was great, but I labored for 27 hours and spent very little of that time with her as she had other patients to check on. My doula was the one with me the whole time and she was amazing. If you have a very hands on DH who is willing/able to do the prep work to be an effective birth coach, then great. Mine was not. He played on his phone and got us food and drinks. =P

daniellelea1985 · January 2015

I did midwife care for ds and didn't feel the closeness everyone talks about... still felt like just a number. Had some scary complications so this time it's an OB at a hospital

gotdiesel2007 · January 2015

I wanted a midwife sooooo bad this time around but could not because of thyroid issues. boo

Mackalack · January 2015

I think it depends and you should look around before you make the choice.

I know a lot of OBs are definitely not as personable, but I have an AMAZING practice and the OBs spend as much time with me as I need them to, they listen to me, and then make a choice. Since DD, a midwife group joined my OB's office, and my first appointment was with a midwife. She was incredibly friendly, but relied on testing that did nothing other than stress me out. NOW, I'm a very special case due to my kidneys, so I truly believe that if you have a normal pregnancy, the midwives are wonderful. I switched to be an OB only patient since they seriously don't know how to handle me.

Set up appointments with both. Ask around locally from friends/family/coworkers/mothers you run into at the store (esp. if you're new in town - just say, hi, I'm new here and looking for OB and/or midwife suggestions - who did you see, and were you happy there?) to get suggestions. Take control of your care and find someone who you fit with - they're out there

Ealdwic · January 2015

I saw an obgyn for our first. He was rather dismissive at times but generally was nice. Hospital VBAC, nothing extraordinary or complex, and my ob was off so I didn't even see him.

This time around, I am seeing a certified midwife at a birth centre where I'll be delivering.

I think that a natural, drug free birth suits midwifery care really well, even if you're afraid to go that route. I had a drug free birth at the hospital and it was fine, but I can imagine that the empowerment and intimate support of midwifery would've made it ten times more peaceful and relaxing. The attentive care they offer moms seems so wonderful, and the reassurance and confirmation that we are made to have babies is really important for me to hear and practice when I'm in labor. I'm super excited about having a midwife!

But like others said, it may be nice to have more options available in case you want an epidural or to be able to induce, those kind of things. I'm all for the midwife route but it can feel like a more scary decision. Having found out I'm able to go without any pain management and actually prefer labouring by walking/singing/rocking/using the shower or tub, the birth centre seemed a perfect choice. Good luck ether way and enjoy your experience, whatever you choose!

Misheldon · January 2015

Personally, I am going with a midwife. They are much more hands on, personalized, and take their time with you during pregnancy, labour, and for 6 weeks after here in Canada.

Once you decide to see either an Obstetrician or a Midwife you cannot see both, it's one or the other as far as how things are up here.

Goodluck with your choice!

kate5all · January 2015

I'm seeing a team of midwives. They all have the same approach to pregnancy/maternity, which I appreciate, since there's no telling which one will deliver. I don't think I'd get a dedicated OB through this health system either, and there just seems to be more variability between OBs. Plus, I just feel more comfortable with women practitioners.

britlove101 · January 2015

I think that in order to make the best decision about this you have to think about what you want during and right after labor and delivery..

I read a book called the better baby book (great book ) and realized some of the practices in the U.S. aren't necessary... Countries with the least labor complications only use midwives (Sweden, Norway wtc..) and will have OB doctors on call in case there is an emergency. They also practice much more caring methods. For example they don't poke and prod at the newborn until 5 days after birth (for vitamin k or eye drops) and most of the time the only hands touching the baby are the mothers and fathers, at least for the first few hours.

Another very important matter for me was the cutting of the umbilical cord. In the U.S. you cannot get an OB doctor to wait more than 30 seconds to cut the cord. Ever heard of cord blood banking? Well that blood is known to be pretty powerful, and while we know a lot about pregnancy and labor, we don't know everything. That blood belongs to the newborn, it's been their lifeline for 9 months and cutting it off too early could be bad news for baby who doesn't immediate start breathing on it's own. Plus we don't know what other benefits that remaining placental blood can have for the baby. For this reason midwives will wait 10 to 30 minutes before cutting the cord.

This along with a lot of other reasons made me decide to have a natural birth with a team of midwives at a birthing facility. I'm a first time mom, and it took a lot of research to decide on who will deliver the baby. But now that I've figured it out, I'm satisfied knowing that whatever I decide in those first few hours of life for my baby, is what will happen.

imavera · January 2015

It's very dependent on specific caregivers, but my experience is that midwives are more involved/caring than OBs. When I reference midwives, I mean those not affiliated with a hospital. I spend the same time at appointments with my midwife that I did with my OB but only when you included waiting time at the OB office. I can text/call my midwife anytime, and she even had me come over spur of the moment this week to do a quick reassuring ultrasound when I started bleeding. I'm one of only two or three of her clients in July, and she knows my history without a chart.

She didn't make it for my second's birth (fast labor), but stayed with me for almost nine hours afterwards. My OB showed up the last few minutes of pushing with my first and then left 15 minutes after.

Again, just my experiences. Interview and figure out what you're comfortable with!

law&order · January 2015

It truly depends on your own medical needs and preferences. I also think it's highly dependent on the particular provider.

I see an MFM because I'm classed as high-risk. So my experience is very medicalized. However, she's incredibly caring, responsive, and invested. I deliver at a teaching hospital so on the birth day, I saw residents and attendings. But my family practice physician was called in and she attended the birth. She was with me for all 90 minutes of pushing. From what I hear this is not normal. Usually the doctor comes in right at the end. It's very provider-dependent.

ConlinToGillmore9909 · January 2015

We'll be delivering at Kaiser and so far I have seen just the doctor, but I meet the midwife on Thursday. I guess they have you meet with both and basically if you do vaginal, a midwife will deliver. If you do c-section, the doctor will deliver. It's so different, but I really hope we like the midwife!

I hear great things about her and I really want to try for natural. Good luck in your decision!

cschissell · January 2015

I used a midwifery practice for my last pregnancy and am using the same practice this time around. I really liked the practice and they are very hands off with pregnancy and labor. They try to minimize unnecessary interventions. It depends on the practice though. Just because a practice is of midwives won't make it a good practice. Just like OBs. There are good ones and bad ones out there. I suggest looking into both and finding a practice of either that you like.

Marlee8 · January 2015

imavera said:
It's very dependent on specific caregivers, but my experience is that midwives are more involved/caring than OBs. When I reference midwives, I mean those not affiliated with a hospital. I spend the same time at appointments with my midwife that I did with my OB but only when you included waiting time at the OB office. I can text/call my midwife anytime, and she even had me come over spur of the moment this week to do a quick reassuring ultrasound when I started bleeding. I'm one of only two or three of her clients in July, and she knows my history without a chart.

She didn't make it for my second's birth (fast labor), but stayed with me for almost nine hours afterwards. My OB showed up the last few minutes of pushing with my first and then left 15 minutes after.

Again, just my experiences. Interview and figure out what you're comfortable with!

My midwife didn't make it for the birth of my second either...he just popped out so fast!! But she talked me through it on the phone. If I didn't have her in my ear I would've lost it!!!!

I cannot say enough about midwives. The personal care is amazing. It is so comforting to know that this lady who is doing all my appointments is also going to be with me every step of the way for the labour and birth. Mike was with me for the whole 27 hours it took from beginning to end with my first. She only left us to drive her own car to the hospital when it was time to go. And while midwives prefer to go as natural as possible, they aren't against interventions. Mine insisted I have an epidural with my first because my body just wasn't doing it on it's own and after so long after the water breaks, the baby needs out or you have to have a c section.

The second one she didn't make because we both left the hospital in a blizzard to go back home and labour some more and she got stuck on the way and the baby popped out before she could get to the house! But like I said - she talked my hubby and I through everything and got there shortly after.

The after care with midwives is amazing. Staying in the comfort of your home while she comes to you for appointments for 6 weeks after sure beats trying to get a newborn ready and out the door! And no need for a lactation consultant either, my first baby was a horrible latcher so my midwife came 3 times a day for the first few days to help us with that too!!!

Danious · January 2015

I had a doctor with my first and I'm doing a midwife with this one.
The differences are huge. Both good experiences, just different! With a doctor it was much more clinical, which I think, personally, I needed with my first. It's what you expect from a doctor. There was a check up and every visit. Urine samples, vaginal check, ect. It was reassuring for me because it was my first and I needed that. He had no issues whatsoever with me trying to have a natural birth and I never felt pressured to change that. It was always my choice. For the actual birth, my doctor was there. His practice was across the street from the hospital and he was monitoring me from his office. (I started having complications and was hooked up to a lot of machines) When we decided an emergency c section was necessary, he was my surgeon. Which I was happy about because I knew him and how meticulous a personality he was and I felt safe even though I was terrified.
My midwife experience is much more relaxed. Which is exactly what I was looking for this time around. I don't feel like I need that detailed attention this time because I kinda feel like I'm prepared this time. I've done this, just a baby, no biggie.

I felt much more intimidated with my first!

It's such a personal choice! I would definitely recommend talking to a few doctors and midwives and finding a person you feel comfortable with.

Mamamads · January 2015

Well I found a practice with 5 or so midwives and one amazing ob so I have both. I personally prefer midwives to ob's for many reasons but like many people stated its a personal choice for you to make, do lotsa research!!

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