Where I live we only have one Ob/gyn office. They have three doctors and two midwives. I'll see all of them through my pregnancy but the doctor will most likely deliver.
Midwife & birth center this time around. I went the OB and hospital route last pregnancy, and had a fine experience and a natural birth. I desire a different type of atmosphere this time.
I'll be doing an OB/hospital birth again, but I agree that it's really a personal decision and it's important not to generalize. Not all OB's push interventions and not all midwives are completely compassionate and holistically focused. I would recommend taking some time to interview different OB's and midwives and find one that you feel comfortable with and who fits with what you are looking for. Credentials are only one aspect of what makes someone a good caregiver for you throughout your pregnancy.
I am 36 weeks pregnant now - I was seeing an OB until 2 weeks ago. I decided to switch at the last minute. My OB was just not personal and never asked me about my birth plan or anything. Just came in with the Doppler, listened to the heart beat, and said, "see you in a month." It was terrible. Then, my husband and I took the hospital tour and that is what really did it for me. The nurse was not very friendly and kept talking about coming in and getting an epidural...I asked the question "how many people have a natural (unmediated) birth here?" and she said it was only 15% last quarter. WOW! I live in the Seattle area and it's a major hospital here. Goes to show they DO push you toward the epidurals...
So, I found a midwife, checked out a birth center, and I am SO happy with the choice. The quality of care is so much better - they really take their time and talk to you about the experience you want. They seem so much more knowledgeable about natural birth and the process of birth than the OB's. It's also right across the street from said hospital so if a transfer is needed, I am still RIGHT there. I never in a million years thought I would give birth outside of a hospital, but I know this is by far the best choice. I highly recommend just taking a tour and speaking to a midwife is something doesn't feel right about your OB.
My ideal would have been to have a CNM in a birthing center at a hospital, but I was running into lots of problems with finding CNMs nearby who were in my insurance network. All the OBs at my normal Women's Health practice are in my insurance network. Makes a big difference...
My OB joined a larger group practice where each OB is paired with a CNM. It's awesome! The CNM handles all the appointments, labor, and delivery. The OB is present for the delivery in case something happens and a c-section is necessary. This will be my 3rd delivery with them.
I went OB. Seems most go with a MW here because it is a free service in this country where as an OB is out of pocket. My GP said that because of my age I should consider an OB instead. I have no experience with this but I have heard that MWs here push hard for all natural which put me off a bit. If I need a CS then lets go for it!
I also didn't like the idea of being passed around to all the OBs in the office. Im used to the idea that you get 1 person who sees you through they whole process. It took ages to find a single OB that would see me AND assure me that she would be there for the birth. I get a Hospital MW during the birth also.
To be honest though I almost want to go to the USA a few weeks early and have the baby there for a few reasons. I like the idea of the baby having an easier time getting to the US should he/she choose to later in life. Also I'm not keen on the thought of having to pack up, get in the car WITH the baby and drive down the road to a second hospital FOUR HOURS after birth. Not my idea of a good time.
Did an OB with my first baby and wasn't hugely pleased with how things went -- nothing was truly catastrophic, but I definitely felt kind of ... like I was on a conveyer belt?
So this time I'm planning on going with a midwife and a birth center. She does much more personalized care, since she's only minding one labouring woman at a time!
--- ♥ Married since June 2009 ♥ TW: Living children & Losses:
Mom of sons "Alpha" (Feb 2012) & "Beta" (May 2016) Pregnant after 4 losses via IVF/FET with daughter "Gamma" (EDD Oct 2, 2019)
Midwife all the way over here. (Certified Nurse Midwives here, vs Lay Midwives) This will be my third birth with a midwife and I've done waterbirths in the hospital where I'm in a tub and the baby is born underwater. Even if your provider does not offer waterbirths, I HIGHLY recommend the shower and tub for pain management during labor! I want to- not have an IV (if not necessary for medications), to be able to eat and drink durong labor, to not be induced at 41 weeks (midwives usually go to 42, they still do non stress tests and other tests to check baby is doing ok and placenta is still good), I no not want to be strapped to a fetal monitor on my belly, I hate the feeling of those and the baby doesn't seem to like it either with its movements, instead I want them to check baby's heartbeat with a doppler stick once every half an hour (and they can do that in the water too!), I want the have access to a birthing ball and birth stool instead of being expected to lie in bed on my back (unless that's what I want), I want to be encouraged to try different positions they know that may help make contractions more comfortable, I want them to have a low C-section rate and a low rate of pain killer use bc then they believe that a woman CAN do it, though they are very open to a woman choosing pain meds too. If my water breaks I don't want to automatically be induced with pitocin and put on a 12 hour clock for delivery.
Midwife means "with woman." I lovvvveee havong access to OBs in America, I really do. I had an ecv/ version where the OB my midwives work with she successfully turned my transverse 2nd baby and I went on to have a vaginal birth. But in general a midwife will see birth as more a natural event and take a more hands off approach whereas an OB may take a more risk prevention approach and do more intervention. Appointments with midwives are typically longer wth more discussion. We do have some OBs and hospitals here that are known for offering "gentle Cesarians" where baby will be put right on mom and not separated in recovery and I'm not sure what else designates it "gentle." But that's a great thing to look for in an OB too.
Choosing the place you will deliver and that hospital's policies can be just as important as choosing a provider, be it midwife or OB.
We were deciding between the two options and toured a birth center with midwives. Ultimately, we decided to go with a hospital delivery with an OB. I do have the goal to have a natural birth so I plan to hire a doula for the birth to help as a labor coach. Doulas seam great because they provide the holistic care of a midwife. Since it's our first it seams like a good way to have the "just in case something is wrong" resources of a hospital, with the natural care of a doula. I'm really happy to have a doula who will help me with exercises to prepare for labor, knowledge of positions that aren't laying on the back and additional help with breastfeeding.
You can do a natural birth at a hospital with your OB, but what I've heard from friends is that you need to be clear and steadfast about your wishes.
I have had both a midwife and an MD who delivers. Cost is not an issue as we are in Canada and both are funded by universal health insurance.
I preferred my midwife for countless reasons: more personal, better access, she did visits at my home post partum which I appreciated, and the actual labour was amazing, I was in complete control with her to guide me. I delivered in a hospital with the midwife, and while I didn't have an epi, I could have, as she had hospital privileges.
Traditional OB. I'm pro epi and interventions if necessary. I researched and trust my OB. I just want my baby out as quickly, safely, and as painless as possible.
We had the same thought with our first (now prego with second). We opted the midwife route because of amazing stories we'd heard from others. Our midwives are certified nurse midwifes at the hospital, so nothing was really different as far as insurance or hospital practices, it was just a different experience in the care, attention and decision making throughout the pregnancy and delivery process. We LOVED our midwives SO much, and really loved the entire experience. We've raved so much about it that some of our friends/family have started seeing them as well. Obviously we had not had an experience with an OB, but in talking with others who went that route, I just felt so much more in control of the decisions that we had to make, nothing was ever forced on us, we were always very pleased with everything. What stole my heart was when I called to ask questions as we were making our decision and I spoke directly to one of the midwives and she said 'we give you your options, let you make the decision, and support you in whatever you choose'. When I called the OB, they told me I wouldn't even see my Dr at the first visit because they are too busy, so I'd just meet with a nurse - I didn't want to feel like a number. We're SO happy with our decision and excited to get this process started again - can't wait to see our midwives in a few weeks for our first apt! Good luck to you and your family on this journey! Whatever decision you make, it'll be the right one for you!
Re: Traditional OB or Midwife?
I am 36 weeks pregnant now - I was seeing an OB until 2 weeks ago. I decided to switch at the last minute. My OB was just not personal and never asked me about my birth plan or anything. Just came in with the Doppler, listened to the heart beat, and said, "see you in a month." It was terrible. Then, my husband and I took the hospital tour and that is what really did it for me. The nurse was not very friendly and kept talking about coming in and getting an epidural...I asked the question "how many people have a natural (unmediated) birth here?" and she said it was only 15% last quarter. WOW! I live in the Seattle area and it's a major hospital here. Goes to show they DO push you toward the epidurals...
So, I found a midwife, checked out a birth center, and I am SO happy with the choice. The quality of care is so much better - they really take their time and talk to you about the experience you want. They seem so much more knowledgeable about natural birth and the process of birth than the OB's. It's also right across the street from said hospital so if a transfer is needed, I am still RIGHT there. I never in a million years thought I would give birth outside of a hospital, but I know this is by far the best choice. I highly recommend just taking a tour and speaking to a midwife is something doesn't feel right about your OB.
♥ Married since June 2009 ♥
TW: Living children & Losses:
Pregnant after 4 losses via IVF/FET with daughter "Gamma" (EDD Oct 2, 2019)
I want to- not have an IV (if not necessary for medications), to be able to eat and drink durong labor, to not be induced at 41 weeks (midwives usually go to 42, they still do non stress tests and other tests to check baby is doing ok and placenta is still good), I no not want to be strapped to a fetal monitor on my belly, I hate the feeling of those and the baby doesn't seem to like it either with its movements, instead I want them to check baby's heartbeat with a doppler stick once every half an hour (and they can do that in the water too!), I want the have access to a birthing ball and birth stool instead of being expected to lie in bed on my back (unless that's what I want), I want to be encouraged to try different positions they know that may help make contractions more comfortable, I want them to have a low C-section rate and a low rate of pain killer use bc then they believe that a woman CAN do it, though they are very open to a woman choosing pain meds too. If my water breaks I don't want to automatically be induced with pitocin and put on a 12 hour clock for delivery.
Midwife means "with woman." I lovvvveee havong access to OBs in America, I really do. I had an ecv/ version where the OB my midwives work with she successfully turned my transverse 2nd baby and I went on to have a vaginal birth. But in general a midwife will see birth as more a natural event and take a more hands off approach whereas an OB may take a more risk prevention approach and do more intervention. Appointments with midwives are typically longer wth more discussion. We do have some OBs and hospitals here that are known for offering "gentle Cesarians" where baby will be put right on mom and not separated in recovery and I'm not sure what else designates it "gentle." But that's a great thing to look for in an OB too.
Choosing the place you will deliver and that hospital's policies can be just as important as choosing a provider, be it midwife or OB.
I preferred my midwife for countless reasons: more personal, better access, she did visits at my home post partum which I appreciated, and the actual labour was amazing, I was in complete control with her to guide me. I delivered in a hospital with the midwife, and while I didn't have an epi, I could have, as she had hospital privileges.
First Pregnancy
Second Pregnancy
- BFP: 09/11/2015
- EDD: 05/25/2016
Baby Born04/15/2016
PGAL
We had the same thought with our first (now prego with second). We opted the midwife route because of amazing stories we'd heard from others. Our midwives are certified nurse midwifes at the hospital, so nothing was really different as far as insurance or hospital practices, it was just a different experience in the care, attention and decision making throughout the pregnancy and delivery process. We LOVED our midwives SO much, and really loved the entire experience. We've raved so much about it that some of our friends/family have started seeing them as well. Obviously we had not had an experience with an OB, but in talking with others who went that route, I just felt so much more in control of the decisions that we had to make, nothing was ever forced on us, we were always very pleased with everything. What stole my heart was when I called to ask questions as we were making our decision and I spoke directly to one of the midwives and she said 'we give you your options, let you make the decision, and support you in whatever you choose'. When I called the OB, they told me I wouldn't even see my Dr at the first visit because they are too busy, so I'd just meet with a nurse - I didn't want to feel like a number. We're SO happy with our decision and excited to get this process started again - can't wait to see our midwives in a few weeks for our first apt! Good luck to you and your family on this journey! Whatever decision you make, it'll be the right one for you!