4Real Forums: Midwife or regular OB?

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Topic: Midwife or regular OB?

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EmilyC
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Joined: May 09 2007
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Posted: July 26 2008 at 7:15am \| IP Logged

I just found out that we'll be expecting a new little one next spring. I loved my OB that delivered my twins, however, she's no longer practicing, so I need to find a new doctor.

I was looking around the hospital directory and they listed a midwife practice. How different is having a midwife to having a regular OB? I'm sort of intrigued by the idea of using a midwife, and would like to try for a more natural birth (but I also know how big a baby I am and want drugs if I need them!).

So, if you've used a midwife, can you tell me what that experience is like as compared to a regular OB? Thanks!

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SusanJ
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Posted: July 26 2008 at 9:06am \| IP Logged

I started out in a practice of nurse-midwives (CNMs) with my first and had to transfer to a regular OB at twenty weeks because my son had a birth defect requiring a C-section.

When I was with the midwives I had long appointments where we discussed a variety of concerns. When I arrived at the office they would hand me my chart and have me weigh myself and do my own urine sample. These things are not rocket science and I think it was an element of empowering women at a vulnerable time. With the OB I would wait a long time for a nurse to weigh me and then wait a long time in an exam room for about five minutes with the OB.

With my second baby I wanted a VBAC at home and we had terrible insurance so we decided to use a direct entry or "lay" midwife. She came to my home for pre-natal visits and was absolutely incredible with pre- and post-partum care. I could always reach her directly over the phone.

If you are interested in natural childbirth a midwife is probably the best place to start. Midwives--even those practicing in a hospital setting--are going to have a lot more experience with natural childbirth than typical OBs. That means they're going to have a lot more advice and ideas for you before and during labor to make sure you have the birth you want.

The group of midwives I was with first did offer painkillers if you birthed in their birth center. Epidurals could only be given in the hospital. If the midwives you are considering are connected with the hospital they may have pain options available to them. But good midwives should be able to help most of their birthing moms avoid drugs through the use of effective labor coaching, positioning, etc.

Good luck making the decision!

Susan

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Rachel May
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Joined: June 24 2005
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Posted: July 26 2008 at 9:28am \| IP Logged

I have had many wonderful OBs and never thought I would want a midwife. However, since I wanted a natural birth, for my last birth I used midwives who delivered at our military hospital. It was a wonderful experience.

The appointments were more interactive, focusing more on you as a person to work with instead of you as a patient to be managed. When it came time for the birth, the midwife interceded for me many times when my (very nice) labor nurse who wanted to do things the standard way (nurse prefered me in bed on my back, midwife brought me a birthing ball). I was able to have a completely natural birth, and the midwife laughed when I delivered Joseph in the bathroom. The nurse, only half joking, complained.

Being in a hospital setting, I liked knowing I could have pain killers if I wanted them. In fact I was just starting to consider asking for something when I walked into the bathroom.

5 minutes later....

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donnalynn
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Joined: July 24 2006
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Posted: July 26 2008 at 7:37pm \| IP Logged

I had midwives for two hospital births and I found it to be very frustrating. I felt the midwives were much more bound by "hospital rules" and gave me a harder time about certain tests.

When I got pregnant with #4 - I went back to my original ob and felt a lot better about slugging it out with the ob about what I would/would not do, rather than hearing the really lame "Well, that's policy, there's nothing we can do" - that I kept hearing from the midwives.

I tried two different sets of midwives and I was really not very happy with either. The one set was part of a huge practice with 5 ob/gyns and 4 midwives - I didn't feel the care was any more personal.

My dh is not comfortable with a home birth and I think the midwives are very regulated if you have a hospital birth.

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