Talk to me about Midwives - Page 2

[Becken]

Probably the best way to find a great midwife in your area is to ask around and get referrals.

I had a midwife with #1 and she interviewed REALLY well, but when the time came, she just ended up doing her own thing (freakin' lithotomy position, for crying out loud!!!!). I felt totally betrayed and it really damaged my birth experience.

So this time I asked and asked everyone I knew and even people I didn't. And I kept hearing all these women gushing about this one midwife. So I interviewed her and really like her a lot. I actually feel like I connect even better with her assistant, so I'm really excited that they'll both be there!

I live in a rental house right now and home birth just doesn't appeal to me at all - I can't envision it in this house. BUT....we are hopefully going to be getting our HOME (waiting on a short sale) by January and all of a sudden I'm thinking, "Oooooh. I DO want to do a home birth!!!" Isn't that funny? I think, at least if you've not had an HB before (because from what I hear they are a bit addictive), it's easy to get turned off by the idea of "it's not really my home."

[SallyN]

I've had two births with two different midwives (in same hospital). Two completely different experiences. First midwife was, I realized after-the-fact, more "medically-minded." Didn't ask about a birth plan. And didn't show up at the hospital until I'd tapped out of ways to handle the pitocin-augmented contractions and opted for an epidural. She gave me a paltry "hands and knees" suggestion (I couldn't put weight on one entire arm due to pain from the IV) and after the epi we sat around and gossiped about the OB she works with.
My second birth was with a midwife who birthed her own children at home. We were in contact with her via phone while I labored at home and she met us at the hospital - stayed with us the entire time and was on the floor on her tummy while I labored and delivered in a squatting position.

I'd suggest asking what they'd recommend if your water breaks and you aren't having (noticeable) contractions (and how their recommendations might differ if you test positive for GBS (if you test at all for it.))