Mamas who use OoH midwives

[jeminijad]

When did you first call the midwife?

I am having my first bouts of nausea (started just before my BFP.) I know a midwife isn't going to prescribe Zofran like an OB, but maybe she'll have some advice for me.

Soooo... how early is too early? When did you call to make your first prenatal appointment?

[MaerynPearl]

OoH = out of hospital? as in homebirth?

if so, I contacted mine a couple days after my BFP, though I was not able to come down until 15 weeks for my first appointment (flew down just for it!) and then 28 weeks when we moved down (first real appointment was this week, 30 weeks. starting my every-2-weeks now)

I do not know how often she would have seen me if I were down here, but we did stay in touch through emails during that time and she was able to give me several tips/ideas that helped ease pregnancy discomforts.

Really, I think you can even contact them while still TTC to get their thoughts on that subject, so I do not think there is such thing as TOO early!

but because many only schedule so many births per month (or whatever their time period is) there could be such thing as too late!


And if you REALLY need Zofran and your Midwife is able to, she will prescribe it!

[annablue]

We had a consultation with a midwife at 6 weeks, I decided I liked her, and my first actual appointment was 10 weeks.

[JessieBird]

I called the day I got my BFP. With my first, I waited 12 weeks or so and had to have my initial visits with my family practitioner. Which was okay but not great so this time I just wanted to skip the doc and go right to my midwife. I'm glad I did because I ended up horribly sick with HG and midwives (in my limited experience) are so much more kind and holistic in their approach. Mine can and did prescribe drugs (here they can do everything related to pregnancy that a doctor can) but that's probably a regulation that varies in different provinces and states.

[luckiest]

We interviewed our midwife around 6 weeks, and had our first prenatal at 11 weeks. Before the prenatal, though, we talked on the phone and emailed and they gave me some great suggestions for dealing with nausea and also talked me through some spotting I was having at 8 weeks (turned out to be old implantation spotting).

I don't think it's too early to contact a midwife, even if you haven't decided on them as your HCP, they'll probably be willing to give you some nausea tips.

[HeatherB]

I would definitely call and get acquainted (if you're not already). I have consulted mine more before our first appt and between subsequent ones than during. She may well have advice for your nausea, and getting in and on her schedule early is never a bad thing.

[Aleka333]

Originally Posted by luckiest

We interviewed our midwife around 6 weeks, and had our first prenatal at 11 weeks.

I had the exact same timeline. It's good to get in early to make sure you like her and that she can be available for you. It's my first, so I called her before I told anyone else I was PG.

[laughymama]

I called and set up a consultation/interview and we went to that at 8 weeks. Then at 12 weeks we had our first prenatal.

I think I'd call as soon as I could just to be sure she could get me in. If it was a midwife I hadn't yet interviewed then I'd definitely call ASAP just to do an interview and make sure she's the one we wanted.

[pollyanna123]

I called shortly after my BFP because she books up! I'm due at the beginning of February and she was already half full for February. My first appointment is on Monday when I'm 10 weeks along.

[cristeen]

Guess I'm the odd one out here. I didn't even start calling the MWs until about 20 weeks. But then I have an HMO and the willingness to demand what I want and no more (and have it covered). Which is exactly what I did.

[TangoMama]

I'm with MWs at a Birthing Center, and I called them at 4 weeks. We went in the following week for an orientation to see if we would be comfortable there, and then I set up my first appt for 2 weeks later. I wouldn't normally have gone in so soon, but after our loss last year we wanted to be referred for an u/s and genetic counselling at 12 weeks.

The MW who did the orientation didn't have an issue at all with me coming in at 7 weeks. And since you're experiencing negative symptoms already, I'm sure she'd be happy to see you. And if she's not, she may not be the right MW for you!

BTW - I had great luck with candied ginger for my MS. I would eat a small piece (about the size of a quarter) each morning first thing. And then about 30-60 minutes later I would feel well enough to eat.

[babyjelly]

it's never too early, but can definitely be too late! as mentioned, they can fill up fast and have to turn clients away.
I called my mw about ten minutes after I showed dp the pee stick, and she saw me two days later. I'm 12 weeks and have already had three office appointments.

[jeminijad]

This is what I like to hear! I'll call Monday.

I'm actually trying to decide between a home birth with a midwife in my plan network (that I've heard can get things covered,) and a practice that operates out of a birthing center. Guess I better call them both!

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by jeminijad

This is what I like to hear! I'll call Monday.

I'm actually trying to decide between a home birth with a midwife in my plan network (that I've heard can get things covered,) and a practice that operates out of a birthing center. Guess I better call them both!

That would be best, interview both and determine which you would rather want based on who you feel more comfortable with!

[Mrs.Music]

I am using the same mw this pregnancy as for my last... I contacted her while TTC with my DS for the first time to see if she was who I wanted to use. And again at 3 weeks when I got my BFP. I had a consultation at 5 weeks. This time I called her at 5 weeks when I got my BFP (I put off testing since DH was supposed to be sterile... guess not) and scheduled my first appt for 7 weeks.

[Joyster]

Here people say you call the midwife right after conception. I did call to schedule an appointment (which wasn't til 10 weeks or so) when I had a BFP, they're highly in demand.