switching from midwife to ob :(

jellybeane1992 · July 2015

I was only finding posts about people switching from their ob to midwives. But I have been feeling extremely down for the last week after we finally had to make the decision to stop seeing my midwife who I loved everything about. Between the drive and having to pay out of pocket because my new insurance wouldn't cover it since it's out of state. After spending 2 full days searching for local options there aren't any midwives in the area and the closest one is over the state line and won't take my insurance either. I'm really bummed about my insurance only being taken at one clinic in the area and I'm trying to stay hopeful and trying to like it but my first impression of the clinic wasn't the greatest. I just needed to rant a little since no one I'm around actually understands how i feel about this and just says you can do it for your next pregnancy. My fiance is trying his hardest to make me feel better about the switch even to the point of saying if he's not off working in November we can call them and still do it there since they will let people switch close to their due dates. I know there's nothing wrong about hospital births, I just never planned on having one even before we decided to have a baby. I just miss it already.

dogsombrero · July 2015

I loved my midwife prenatal care last pregnancy but I was transferred by my midwife while in labor due to surgical possibility. I know if I had been at an OBs office the issues prior to birth that resulted in labor going the way it did would not have happened. At the time of labor I could've cared less who caught the baby and I did considering I only met the Doctor who delivered my son when I started pushing (3 1/2 hours before he was born).

I did have quite a few interventions (induced via pill, foley Cath and pitocin, epidural, antibiotics for strep b, IV fluids, catheter) BUT the doctor did let me push 3 1/2 hours because baby was not in distress although his head was transverse and he was huge. I was not whisked off for a csection and the staff did their best to allow for a vaginal birth.

TLDR: A regular OB doesn't mean that you will have a csection or interventions that aren't necessary. Discuss with them how you feel.

Gapeach83 · July 2015

OBs can be very caring. I was close to having a c-section DD1 heart rate dropped but she did everything in her power not to do a c-section. I didn't end up with one at all. Talk with you Dr some will let you do the birthing tub at the hospital. I am not sure if all hospitals have it but I know some do. Just have a talk about what you want. I loved both Drs that delivered my girls they where great. Nome of my Drs go straight for a c-section they wait and it's a last resort unless you have had them previously. Good luck I hope everything works out for you.

MadBloom · July 2015

I love my OB. He's funny and we get along really well. He made it just in time to deliver my daughter and gave her a Mohawk as she was crowning because of all the hair. He was joking with the nurses and all of us and really made us feel comfortable. I hemorrhaged after delivering the placenta and it was game time. The atmosphere in the room went from easy going to totally professional and business like.
I feel like I can 100% trust him to take care of me because of how he handled everything.

I know it sucks when you can't get exactly what you want and if your heart was set on having a midwife then I'm sure you're disappointed but remember that there are great OBs out there too! You can still have the birth you want. Just make sure you go over your birth plan with your OB and make sure your partner knows what you want and can advocate for you when it's time.

astanley10 · July 2015

I'm a little late to this post but I wanted to add to the previous comments that I also love my ob. She's a family dr who specializes in ob and pediatrics, so she's my everything dr and my daughters doctor and will be my sons dr too!
Both she and the hospital in our area try everything within reason to have deliveries without unwanted interventions.
I really hope you get a chance to talk more with her dr about what your wishes are and I would highly recommend visiting labor and delivery in the hospital and asking them questions and taking a tour.

Abonsut · July 2015

I also switched from a cnm to an ob (stupid blood pressure). I told my ob the I had been hoping for a low intervention birth etc, and she's totally on board! Part of it is her own personal philosophy but a big part is communicating what you are hoping to get out of your pregnancy/ labor experience.

bellie1223 · July 2015

I am also in the I Love My OB camp, full disclosure though: I haven't worked with a midwife and I'm a FTM so I don't have anything to compare it with. We were talking about birth plans the other day and she happened to mention that she hates it when women come in asking for c-sections for no medical reason, she will not do c-sections unless they are 100% indicated and explained that in her experience every woman and every birth is different, and that you just have to do what feels right because your body knows what it's doing, then intervene only if and when absolutely necessary. She also loves cracking jokes, but is serious and very professional when needed, which puts me and my husband at ease, because we both have weird senses of humor and I don't think I could stand a doctor who can't take a joke.

katiedhunter · July 2015

I love my OB!

kdsmith43 · July 2015

As long as you are educated on your options, I don't see that it could necessarily be the worst thing. Just make sure that you are upfront with the practice as far as your intentions (med free, etc.) and they should be willing to accomodate.

AshleeM7784 · July 2015

I also love my OB (a family dr who specializes in OB and peds and delivers 98% of his OB patients himself). I ended up having a very complicated labor with my son and was so thankful to be in a hospital.

I'm in a mom's group with 11 moms. 6 had midwives, 5 had obs. Of the 6 who had midwives, 5 were transferred to hospitals and ultimately delivered by an OB due to complications. I think midwives can absolutely be a wonderful experience but there are pros and cons to both. Hopefully you will find a wonderful OB and still be able to have the birth experience you want. Be clear about your birth preferences, but keep in mind that all births are different and the important thing in the end is a healthy mama and baby.

komorebi · July 2015

I'm so sorry.

We've had to make alternative plans and drive two hours for many of my appts because technically I'm out of my midwives range of service. We're looking for a closer place since our lease will be up before I'm due but there is also a chance my home birth will be at my sisters house about 30 minutes from where i live. I just can't see having this baby with anybody else unless i risked out of homebirth. It's very stressful and it's cost us more money.

I hope your OB is willing to provide a more natural experience for you.

komorebi · July 2015

I just realized I'm on the wrong board. Sorry. Darn app.

dramaphile · July 2015

komorebi said:
I just realized I'm on the wrong board. Sorry. Darn app.

Nothing wrong with board-hopping if you're being helpful!

juleyaspen · July 2015

I wanted to go with a midwife with my first but didn't have the option in the small valley we live in now. I'm so grateful I ended up having my family doctor who specializes in Ob. I had to be induced because of high blood pressure, and she was so great about keeping the interventions as little as possible. I was able to still get in the birthing tub and opted out of pain meds even while off and on pitocin. It was a great natural feeling experience, even with having to be induced. Just make sure you let your ob know exactly what you are wanting!

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switching from midwife to ob :(

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