Any UP/UC'ers here?

[1babysmom]

Just wondering if there's anyone else going unassisted for the pregnancy and/or birth? We had a UC last time, but had a MW for a few prenatals after 20 weeks (it was my "compromise" with DH), but this time we're hoping to just go unassisted the whole time.

[catchthewind]

I've considered it, but I absolutely adore our midwife and she is the type of person I would want there as a friend anyway. My husband would prefer to have a midwife there and I would love to have her there. That being said, if this midwife wasn't available for some reason, I would definitely be pushing for a UP/UC.

With my last, this midwife worked in a practice with two others and we got our least favorite of the three. Now she's working alone though so we're guaranteed to get her for sure.

[altbirthservices]

I am a midwife, so I am not sure if my answer counts
We are planning a UP. The birth is up in the air right now. I would love if my preceptor could be there, but she now lives 12 hours away, so it may not be feasible. If she isn't able to be there, I don't see any other midwife being there.

[judybean]

possibly UC.. though it would totally freak dh out I'd love just a general homebirth.. and I would probably be more comfortable with somebody around that knows what they're doing... but midwifery isn't fully on the legal side here, so I don't know how it will all play out. I probably need to be figuring it out!

[Danielle13]

well, we're going to have a mw but I'm considering not going in for a while. a few weeks/months.

If there was any reason hb w/ a mw was "illegal" (breach, twins ect) I would have a UC.

[zonapellucida]

me!!!!!!! I up/uced last baby

[catchthewind]

Well my first-choice midwife is actually off for March!
I'm so sad. So we may be UC at least. We'll see. I actually really love my second choice too, but before I will decide for sure I'm going to talk to her about the fact I want her really hands off, etc at the birth. If she's not available for some reason (I haven't heard from her), I'll likely talk to my first-choice one about going to her for some prenatal care and likely UC (she's very supportive of UC'ers). I would just have to talk to my husband about it, but a good friend of ours just uc'd a few months ago so I think he would come around.

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by catchthewind

Well my first-choice midwife is actually off for March!
I'm so sad. So we may be UC at least. We'll see. I actually really love my second choice too, but before I will decide for sure I'm going to talk to her about the fact I want her really hands off, etc at the birth. If she's not available for some reason (I haven't heard from her), I'll likely talk to my first-choice one about going to her for some prenatal care and likely UC (she's very supportive of UC'ers). I would just have to talk to my husband about it, but a good friend of ours just uc'd a few months ago so I think he would come around.

Have you found out if the 2nd MW is available?

[Natalie's Mama]

I'll be UPing but having a midwife for the birth. DH would sooooo not be ok with a UC. I will be going to one ultrasound at 12 weeks to check for twins and a basic anatomy scan but that will (hopefully) be my only trip to the doctor.
For those uping are you doing the uranalysis strip thingys. Everyone IRL seems to think they are super important, but it seems like there is a bit of debate on it. Just curious what others are doing.

[catchthewind]

Originally Posted by 1babysmom

Have you found out if the 2nd MW is available?

She is available, though she's off in February. So if I end up going early she will have a locum who I will have never met. My first appointment isn't until September, and I plan on probably only having a few prenatal visits to keep an eye on my bp and hear the heartbeat once in a while. I want to talk to her about what I want this time for the birth and see how on board she is. But regardless, I'm going to be educating myself and planning just in case I go early or just decide I don't want to call her, so I can UC if I want. Last time I really liked having the female support around me though, so we'll see how I feel this time.

[Right of Passage]

I'm toying with the idea. I think I want the midwife. DH just told me "why have a midwife if we don't wanter intervention" but I think I need someone other than him to soothe me and I want her to have midwifery skills to help jic. I don't know, we'll see where the pregnancy takes me. I forsee a lot of praying and meditation.

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by Natalie's Mama

For those uping are you doing the uranalysis strip thingys. Everyone IRL seems to think they are super important, but it seems like there is a bit of debate on it. Just curious what others are doing.

I am, I tend to get UTI's in pregnancy and after my first experience with a UTI in pregnancy I'm determined to stay on top of them. I'll also have 1 u/s towards the end of the pregnancy (likely around 32 weeks) just to get a "feel" for things.

[altbirthservices]

Originally Posted by Natalie's Mama

I'll be UPing but having a midwife for the birth. DH would sooooo not be ok with a UC. I will be going to one ultrasound at 12 weeks to check for twins and a basic anatomy scan but that will (hopefully) be my only trip to the doctor.
For those uping are you doing the uranalysis strip thingys. Everyone IRL seems to think they are super important, but it seems like there is a bit of debate on it. Just curious what others are doing.

I use them with my clients and will probably test occasionally with this pregnancy, if anything seems off.

www.saveontests.com has super reasonable tests.

I think they are a great tool for telling the general health of my clients. Are they eating and drinking enough? How is their body processing sugars? Is there an underlying infection?

[Natalie's Mama]

Thanks for the input. I really don't want to buy a while wack of them so I think I'll see if I can get some from a friend. I like the idea of just doing them if something feels off rather than at set intervals.

[L J]

First post in this DDC, but yes, I will be UP/UCing. This is my second child, first one was complete UP/UC as well.

[smeisnotapirate]

I'm a VBAC gal. May UP/UC this time. Haven't decided yet. I only know of one midwife who will deliver HBAC, and even if I DO see her, I may end up UCing anyways.

What sorts of supplies are you thinking about getting?

[1babysmom]

For the UP, I'm just using urinalysis strips, measuring tape, a scale, a BP cuff and stethescope, and a doppler.

[Natalie's Mama]

I have a bp cuff, doppler, measuring tape and a little notebook. I'll use the scale at the gym and probably get a few urinalysis strips.

[L J]

Originally Posted by smeisnotapirate

What sorts of supplies are you thinking about getting?

I really did nothing (urine strips, BP, doppler) last time, and unless I have a reason to think I need to check something out, I will do nothing this time.

For me, personally, I don't have a need to monitor or keep records.

[1babysmom]

I just LIKE to keep a record. I loooove doing those things, keeping track of everything. It's like a hobby to me. And it's nice to have to look back on and compare my pregnancies.