Looking for a midwife in IA

[StarMelissa]

Hi, I am new here, but a long time reader of the magazine. I had a c-section two years ago, with my son. I have never had a vaginal birth, so my c-section was my only birth experience. My husband and I have been interested in trying a homebirth or birth center birth since before my son was born, but we are really running into issues finding a midwife here in Iowa, and to add another degree of difficulty, a midwife who will take a VBACer.

I am young (22), healthy, and strong. I know that having another c-section is a possibilty, but I'd like to really go for broke trying to prevent that from happening, while still having a healthy and happy baby.

So, um, help? Does anyone know of a good, experienced midwife in SE Iowa?

[Hattie'sMama]

Good luck in SE Iowa. The only homebirth midwife I know of is Kathy Deol, and when she sent me info 2 years ago she would not accept VBAC clients. Are you on the Friends of Iowa Midwives yahoo forums? That can be a place to find local midwives and doulas- http://www.friendsofiowamidwives.org/about.html

[kcparker]

There is the UIHC midwifery practice in Iowa City, and they have a really good record with supporting VBACs. If you are okay with a hospital birth, I feel really good about recommending them as an option. There is also a midwife practicing in Burlington at the hospital there (sorry, I can't remember her name). If you want the name of a doula-in-training in Burlington, PM me - she knows the woman's name. There are some HB MWs also, and the FOIM page or the Iowa Midwives' Assn. page would be a good resource to check with also.