I recently had a couple of interviews with 2 midwives...both of whom I like, and I am so torn about who to choose. Here's a little background info.
I am currently pregnant with baby #5, all have been hospital births and all have been induced except for one child, my 3rd child. His was totally natural. My other 3 births were induced in one fashion or other, mostly it was pitocin but with one baby my water was broken and I was allowed to labor on my own after that. The 3 births that were induced were about 7 to 8 hours in length and all of the babies were born within about 20 minutes of pushing. The child that was born naturally his labor was an hour and 20 minutes from start (my water breaking, no contractions for 30 minutes after it broke) to finish. He was caught by the nurse about 5 minutes before the doctor walked in. I have always wanted a homebirth and my husband is finally getting more on board with it. So, here's my choices so far.
I am currently 18 weeks along....I need to choose very soon. We just moved so I am kind of late in the game interviewing midwives.
Midwife #1:
He (yes a male) has 25 years experience as a midwife, and prior to that was an EMT-I. He lives an hour or so away, but holds a clinic locally weekly. Currently he is working with a CNM (she is trying to get her CPM in our state) who only lives about 2 miles from me. He has a very open personality and I liked him a lot. His fees are a little less than the other midwife, but had some things that weren't covered and would have to be covered seperately (ie: blood work, birth tub, mileage fee for driving, etc.). He does not offer refunds.
Midwife #2:
She lives a little more than an hour away and I would have to go to her office for the appts. However she did offer to come to my home if she will already be in town for prenatals. I feel like I clicked with her more than the other midwife. She has knowledge in herbs and such (which I liked a lot) for pregnancy and/or delivery. Her fees were a little more, but they are all inclusive...ie: includes prenatal bloodwork, birth tub, mileage, etc. She does offer a refund up to a certain point in pregnancy (34 or 36 weeks or so), but will charge $100 per visit if a refund becomes necessary. She does not have an assistant.
My dilemma...with my history of a quick delivery, I am not sure who to choose. Logistically, #1 would be better....the assistant could be here in a matter of minutes if I needed her to be. Even if he didn't make it...she could deliver no problem. She does have experience as a primary midwife as a CNM. I feel like I clicked with #2 more, but if she didn't make it for the delivery, I don't know that my husband would feel 100% comfortable in delivering on his own. If I knew that he would feel comfortable with it, then I would choose her...hands down.
What would you do?
I am currently pregnant with baby #5, all have been hospital births and all have been induced except for one child, my 3rd child. His was totally natural. My other 3 births were induced in one fashion or other, mostly it was pitocin but with one baby my water was broken and I was allowed to labor on my own after that. The 3 births that were induced were about 7 to 8 hours in length and all of the babies were born within about 20 minutes of pushing. The child that was born naturally his labor was an hour and 20 minutes from start (my water breaking, no contractions for 30 minutes after it broke) to finish. He was caught by the nurse about 5 minutes before the doctor walked in. I have always wanted a homebirth and my husband is finally getting more on board with it. So, here's my choices so far.
I am currently 18 weeks along....I need to choose very soon. We just moved so I am kind of late in the game interviewing midwives.
Midwife #1:
He (yes a male) has 25 years experience as a midwife, and prior to that was an EMT-I. He lives an hour or so away, but holds a clinic locally weekly. Currently he is working with a CNM (she is trying to get her CPM in our state) who only lives about 2 miles from me. He has a very open personality and I liked him a lot. His fees are a little less than the other midwife, but had some things that weren't covered and would have to be covered seperately (ie: blood work, birth tub, mileage fee for driving, etc.). He does not offer refunds.
Midwife #2:
She lives a little more than an hour away and I would have to go to her office for the appts. However she did offer to come to my home if she will already be in town for prenatals. I feel like I clicked with her more than the other midwife. She has knowledge in herbs and such (which I liked a lot) for pregnancy and/or delivery. Her fees were a little more, but they are all inclusive...ie: includes prenatal bloodwork, birth tub, mileage, etc. She does offer a refund up to a certain point in pregnancy (34 or 36 weeks or so), but will charge $100 per visit if a refund becomes necessary. She does not have an assistant.
My dilemma...with my history of a quick delivery, I am not sure who to choose. Logistically, #1 would be better....the assistant could be here in a matter of minutes if I needed her to be. Even if he didn't make it...she could deliver no problem. She does have experience as a primary midwife as a CNM. I feel like I clicked with #2 more, but if she didn't make it for the delivery, I don't know that my husband would feel 100% comfortable in delivering on his own. If I knew that he would feel comfortable with it, then I would choose her...hands down.
What would you do?
Say, that you preferred the midwife who was further away but wanted to make sure he would be comfortable if she didn't make it for your baby's entrance into the world. If he says absolutely not. Then go with the other one.
