Is anyone currently going to Evelyn Muhlhan at Alternative Birth Choices?

[LadyScientist]

Based on the threads that I've found dating from 2003 - late last year, it seems like Eveyln comes highly recommended. I was just wondering if anyone out there is currently seeing her and what their thoughts are. Thanks!

[KatyLinda]

A friend of mine used Evelyn for her birth 6 weeks ago.  She wasn't raving about it, but she said it was fine and she would recommend her.  

Of course, her labor was fast and furious so Evelyn barely had a chance to walk in the door and put on a rubber glove before the baby made his appearance.  

[LadyScientist]

Cool, thanks for the info. Did your friend mention anything about the prenatal care? Was she happy with her overall experience?

[KatyLinda]

She said she was happy overall.  I'll be prodding her move over the next few months as we're starting plans for kid #3.  Her husband is raving about home birth and how wonderful it is.  Totally makes me laugh.  Though, I'm thankful for them, because now my husband is willing to go that route since he sees not all home birthers are Birkenstock wearing hippies.

[LadyScientist]

Awesome! I'd love to hear more once you find out how it works and how the appointments go. Thanks for your help!

[~Adorkable~]

i personally did not have a great time with her and decided to change midwives after a handful of things made me feel like i was not getting the care i needed. Time management seemed to be hard for them, with folks including myself waiting very long for office appointments, like an hour in the waiting room. They all do seem to care a lot and are very nice folks, i was sad that it didn't work out.

[mariacm]

Adorkable - congrats on your twins!  I remember you from the TTC forum back when I got preg with my first.  So happy for yoy!

I also just have to ask - did you deliver with a MW?  I was told that was pretty much impossible with twins in MD, so I'm curious.

[~Adorkable~]

i did end up moving over to a DEM that had huge twin experience, and really liked her.

then came labor at just shy of 36 weeks and a sudden case of preeclampsia, my BP was out of control, so i ended up having my babies in a hospital, but vaginally and on my terms, so in the end i had no midwife but i did have a pretty amazing birth and healthy babies. i think i would have really liked working with the one i had moved to, who knows

[SimplyLKB]

Evelyn was our midwife for our second son's homebirth in June 2008. There is absolutely no question in my mind that she saved his life, and his brain. With no warning, things went very wrong. Evelyn was incredible. We're done having kids, but if we did, I would move heaven & earth to have Evelyn as my midwife. She is amazing.

[BenimBebek]

I just delivered with Evelyn.  The labor went well, as well as possible for back labor.  Her assistant Lori was a godsend on helping me breath.  But I definitely experienced the same excruciating waiting at the office.  Im a SAHM, so I had time, but really... 3 hours per appt MINIMUM.  I also didnt feel a real connection with Evelyn, but she is definitely thorough and a great midwife.  I felt she was the perfect mix of natural and allopathic and felt confident my baby was safe, and I was safe in her care.  And at the end of the day, a midewife isnt your best friend, her job is to hand you a healthy baby!  And Evelyn did just that for us :)  But I was a bit jealous of my friend out in TX whose MW was always coming by her house and chit-chatting with her on facebook.  haha.  I kind of wished I had a midwife like that!

My husband and I are still deciding if we will use them again next time, but I have a feeling we will, especially if Lori is still there!  But that wont be for a couple of years :)

Feel free to PM me if you want any more details!

[vegrunr]

I had planned a hb with Evelyn and due to circumstances I ended up delivering in a hospital.  I have both positives and negatives about my experience with ABC.  First + things: I do like Evelyn very much and feel that she is competent, thorough yet has a calm, comfortable presence.  Lori (midwife assistant) ended up as a doula at my hospital birth and she was great.  I always felt like they devoted their full time, energy, attention on me during my appointments.  I asked a lot of questions and they had no problem taking the time to answer them.  Now for the - things: Waiting in the waiting room- yes!  as others have said.  This was my first so I didn't have any littles with me, but it was frustrating to miss so many hours of work for a single appt.  Wait time was half hour minimum up to over an hour for every appt.  It was difficult to get an appt to see Evelyn and not one of the mw assistants.  Over the summer I went for about 2 months- weeks 30-38 w/o seeing her and was very frustrated about that.

I have not completely decided whether I would use ABC again or not... It's kind of hard to say since Evelyn wasn't able to be at the birth.

Edited by vegrunr - 3/29/11 at 7:11pm

[AngelsNPrayers]

Originally Posted by vegrunr 

 It's kind of hard to say since Evelyn wasn't able to be at the birth.

So, who was at your birth?

[vegrunr]

I ended up delivering at a local hospital with an OB.  not what I had planned but it was still an amazing experience.  packed away all the homebirth supplies for next time :)

[reborn]

Hi LadyScientist,

I'm currently planning my first homebirth with Evelyn, and I've been seeing her for prenatal care since October 2010.  Haven't delivered yet. :)  I agree with a lot of what BenimBebek said.  I still don't feel like I know her super well or that she is my best friend.  But I don't care.  Even without that "friend" connection, she is always a calming presence.  She never seems like she's in a hurry or doesn't have time to talk or answer questions, even though she is super busy.  I think this is why the waiting room times can be so long (scheduling your appt before 10 AM helps greatly with this).  She doesn't rush anyone if they need a little extra support.

At this point, I feel extremely confident in her expertise and I trust her judgement entirely.  I know she won't put my baby and me and risk because of some hangup about the medical community, but I don't think she'd persuade me to seek medical intervention unless she truly felt it was absolutely necessary.  She also seems to have a great grasp of the mind-body connection and is very sensitive to her clients' stress levels and emotional state.  So yeah, a great mix of natural and allopathic, spiritual and intelligent.

I do worry a little about her not being the one to attend my birth, since she's so popular.  I've gotten to know her assistants pretty well, so as long as one of them is there that will help.  I will def share my experiences with the MD/DC tribe after I deliver!

[IrisSavea]

I too am interested in reading others experiences...With my first son I went to Special Beginnings and hoped to have a birth at their birth center but due to a stubborn baby and a really horrible long induction I ended up with a c-section at 42 1/2 weeks... I was not thrilled with the way special beginnings handled things in the end (i was pretty much told I had to be induced or handed off to an unknown OB) so this time my husband and I have agreed on a home birth. I only just found out I was pregnant so now I am beginning the hunt for a new midwife and I was told that Evelyn was pretty much the only midwife in MD who will do home birth VBACs. I'm really interested to read more experiences! 

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by IrisSavea 

 I was told that Evelyn was pretty much the only midwife in MD who will do home birth VBACs. I'm really interested to read more experiences! 

not true, she is the only cnm who does homebirths. There are other midwives who do vbac homebirths
 

[MegBoz]

Originally Posted by lillymonster 

not true, she is the only cnm who does homebirths. There are other midwives who do vbac homebirths
 

Actually I **THINK** Annie Rodriguez is now a CNM again (after renewing that certification) & she does HBs in the area. although I'm not sure if she does HBAC. Depending on exactly where you are, there are other options - I believe Susan Dodge is a CNM (not sure though). If you're further north - closer to PA - there may be some southern PA MWs who are available to you as well. Karen Webster, in Elkton, does HBACs.

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by MegBoz 

Actually I **THINK** Annie Rodriguez is now a CNM again (after renewing that certification) & she does HBs in the area. although I'm not sure if she does HBAC. Depending on exactly where you are, there are other options - I believe Susan Dodge is a CNM (not sure though). If you're further north - closer to PA - there may be some southern PA MWs who are available to you as well. Karen Webster, in Elkton, does HBACs.

Annie does hbac - I interviewed with her before she went to renew and I was planning a vbac. Unless she changed after she renewed her certification.

[raelize]

Joey pascarelli (not sure on spelling) is a CNM out of southern MD who will do vbacs.  her practice is called sacred midwifery.  i haven't used her, but i know someone on another forum who had a HBAMC with her last year.

[raelize]

Originally Posted by MegBoz 

Actually I **THINK** Annie Rodriguez is now a CNM again (after renewing that certification) & she does HBs in the area. although I'm not sure if she does HBAC. Depending on exactly where you are, there are other options - I believe Susan Dodge is a CNM (not sure though). If you're further north - closer to PA - there may be some southern PA MWs who are available to you as well. Karen Webster, in Elkton, does HBACs.

Susan Dodge is a CNM, though i dont know her status wrt VBACs. i believe she is out of Arnold