Back-up care

[jaylily]

Okay, I already have another question. Were I to have an UC, I think I might like to have a midwife back-up or something (but not sure. I do think we could do it on our own.) But, it seems a lot of people do this, and just don't tell their prenatal care provider that they are actually planning a UC, and plan to say something to the effect of, "It was an accident." I couldn't do that. If asked, if it wasn't an accident I'd feel like I was being dishonest. Are there midwives around who are supportive of UC that would provide back-up care "in case" so you wouldn't have to cover it up? Maybe a doula... hmm...

[SublimeBirthGirl]

Where I live there are midwives you can hire to do prenatal care and to be on call for your birth, knowing that you may not call them. IMO a true midwife should be supportive of UC though it's not always the case of course. If you can find any other UCers in your community, ask them. I wouldn't really mind lying to an OB practice, since they would never willingly support someone planning a HB, much less a UC (at least not where I live) but I couldn't lie to a HB midwife I don't think.

[L J]

I am in contact with a midwife in my state (where midwives are illegal) who is willing to take me on as a prenatal patient and provide back up telephone (because of distance) advice during the birth if necessary.

So, yes, there are midwives willing to do this. I wouldn't lie to a homebirth midwife about my intentions; I would like to think that a large majority of them would be supportive of a woman's desire to birth alone. My midwife acquaintance says that she believes every woman deserves a midwife, but she understands my need to be alone.

But, with both of my pregnancies so far, I have started out thinking "Well, maybe I'll have some back up care, some prenatals with someone..." and I just never get around to it. I haven't completely ruled it out this pregnancy, but I'm around 26 weeks right now, and really in no hurry to see anyone.

[wombjuice]

I do not know a single midwife in my state who would provide any serivices to a woman who was planning on an unassisted birth.

I plan on offering these services to women when I am practicing, as I fully, 100% support a woman's choice on where and with whom she births...but if my colleagues ever found out, I would be severely criticized and possibly, depending on what state I was practicing in, turned in to the midwifery board and my license possibly revoked.

I, too, wouldn't be able to lie to my midwife, though. So when I decide to have a baby, if I can't find someone willing to be on-call, I will fully UC without backup.

I wish you luck and many blessings.

[lovestolearn]

Carla Hartley (founder of the Trust Birth Conference) was intending to compile a list of UC-friendly midwives. There are more of them than you might think! PM her via her Facebook page. If you live in Oregon, Pamela Hines-Powell is also a great resource!

BTW, a doula is there to support the mother--not to provide "back-up" emergency care, like a mid-wife or OB. There are definitely doulas out there who support UCs, just don't expect them to be your back-up care provider!