MW leaving town on due date - Page 2

[Climbergirl]

My OB did this to me. I had 2 weeks notice that she was going on vacation on my due date. I was a little upset, but hoped that she was really particular about her backups. Well, I went into labor ON my due date, and got a backup who was nothing like her. And I ended up with a c-section.

I think I would be upset, but I would definitely do what I did NOT do last time, which was insist on meeting the backup she was planning on for me to use. I think some time to understand that person and feel comfortable would be a good thing.

[peainthepod]

If she were to spring this on me a month before my EDD, I wouldn't really be okay with it at all! But if we agreed to it in advance (like, it was specified in the contract), then that would be all right.

Personally I wouldn't be comfortable hiring a midwife who planned to be out of town when my baby was born. But that's a personal choice and obviously shouldn't apply to midwives across the board. I'm sure plenty of mamas would be fine with it.

[honeybee]

These types of situations should be spelled out in the contract. Midwives deserve vacation time, too.

[momasana]

I think we all agree that midwives deserve a vacation and time away. My midwife is currently on vacation for 6 weeks this summer. I knew this ahead of time and have no problem with it because I am not due until fall (she did not take summer clients). When I interviewed midwives initially one of them told me that she would be vacationing the week before my due date, and would I be comfortable with that? I wasn't.

The issue with my friend's midwife is that she pretty much told her a month before her due date that if she didn't deliver early she wasn't going to be around for the birth. My friend's EDD was Friday, her midwife left town that morning. She had her baby today, via c-section, at the hospital.

[laohaire]

Originally Posted by momasana

The issue with my friend's midwife is that she pretty much told her a month before her due date that if she didn't deliver early she wasn't going to be around for the birth. My friend's EDD was Friday, her midwife left town that morning. She had her baby today, via c-section, at the hospital.

Oh no, what happened?

Did she meet the backup before? How was she?

[dannic]

Originally Posted by momasana

I think we all agree that midwives deserve a vacation and time away. My midwife is currently on vacation for 6 weeks this summer. I knew this ahead of time and have no problem with it because I am not due until fall (she did not take summer clients). When I interviewed midwives initially one of them told me that she would be vacationing the week before my due date, and would I be comfortable with that? I wasn't.

The issue with my friend's midwife is that she pretty much told her a month before her due date that if she didn't deliver early she wasn't going to be around for the birth. My friend's EDD was Friday, her midwife left town that morning. She had her baby today, via c-section, at the hospital.

I hope mama and baby are fine!

[momasana]

Originally Posted by laohaire

Oh no, what happened?

Did she meet the backup before? How was she?

The back-up came to the house but she only labored for about 3 hours, to 9 cm before the back-up said she wasn't comfortable with the situation because the baby wasn't decending. So she called in a transfer and theytook her to the hospital.

Mama and baby are both doing well. The baby is healthy and totally adorable.

I'm just feeling a little sad for my friend because I know she is very disappointed with how everything played out.

[Katielady]

Originally Posted by momasana

The back-up came to the house but she only labored for about 3 hours, to 9 cm before the back-up said she wasn't comfortable with the situation because the baby wasn't decending. So she called in a transfer and theytook her to the hospital.

Mama and baby are both doing well. The baby is healthy and totally adorable.

I'm just feeling a little sad for my friend because I know she is very disappointed with how everything played out.

That is awful. From what you've said, it sounds like the original midwife really did this mom a disservice, as did the backup. She may want to contact her local chapter of ICAN and attend a meeting. They may be able to help her deal with what must be very complex feelings about this birth. I'm so sorry.

[BirthTender]

MW leaving town...

It is best for all when the midwife reveals at the initial consult if she needs to be out of town in a client's due time. IN these cases, I tell the potential client about the backup and arrange for them to meet several times in the pregnancy. Of course, there can be extenuating circumstances, too, and the midwife may have to leave. I arrange travel times around due times. Of course, if someone consults with me late in their pregnancy after I've already amde vacation times...then they have to understand about a backup.
I'm in a situation, now that I've completed my nurse-midwifery studies, after being a direct-entry midwife since 1985, where I have, finally, moved back to my home and have no committments after July & I'm looking to travel a bit via car & see some of the rest of the US, and help some midvies who would like an extra hand/backup or help folks who cannot locate a homebirth midwife in their area. MY children are grown and gone.
Now, that they are gone & I'm trying to rebuild my practice (after being away in FL to complete my nurse-midwifery studies) I have tons of free time and capability to travel.

[homebirthing]

Originally Posted by BirthTender

Of course, if someone consults with me late in their pregnancy after I've already amde vacation times...then they have to understand about a backup.

This is totally different. They are coming in late to your practice and understand when hiring you that there is a chance another midwife will be there.

In my opinion, what this midwife did is completely unacceptable and she should give her a partial refund. I don't know any midwife you would do this. My gosh, If want to take a vacation, I plan it out WAY in advance. As in, I want to go somewhere in March of 2011, I DON"T take births for March!! Yes, we live on call and yes our practice might take a small hit, but that is something you have to think about when you take a vacation.

And you make sure that you aren't leaving town until 2 weeks after the last due date and have someone set up for the postpartums when you aren't there. And understand that someone might choose to hire someone else because they aren't comfortable with that...

You don't tell someone you are going out of town one month before they are due and wish them better luck next time. WOW!!

And I wouldn't expect descent of a baby at nine centimeters...odd.


I would turn her in to her peers for bad practice. I am really surprised that others think that this is okay to do.