Experience with these New Haven & Bridgeport Midwifes Please!

[rdposcar]

I have three appointments set up to meet various midwifes.  I'm not looking at other practices, as these are the one's covered by my insurance (I've looked...extensively!).  But I've included a few more names of covered midwifes at the bottom, just in case.  Any experience, good or bad is greatly appreciated! I need to make a decision soon because of my insurance.  Thank you!

Christa Esposito, CNM

Women's OB & GYN

Trumbull, CT

Delivering at Bridgeport Hospital

****'*

Center for Women's Health & Midwifery

(Part of St. Raphael Faculty Physicians)

New Haven, Branford & Shelton, CT

Delivering at St. Raphael Hospital in New Haven

****'*

Debbie Cibelli, CNM

Laura Sundstrom, CNM

Elise Resch, CNM

Women's Health Associates

New Haven, CT

Delivering at Yale-New Haven Hospital

****'*

Other midwifes covered by my insurance (but I wasn't planning on making appointments): 

Carrie Wolf (Bridgeport Hospital), Karen Davidson (Danbury Hospital), Claudia Bradley (St. Raphael & Yale Hospitals), Ronald Krauss & Kristen Becker (Yale Hospital)

[rdposcar]

bumping....

Even if you don't know the midwifes, let me know if you have any experience (good or bad) with:

Yale New Haven Hospital

St. Raphael Hospital in New Haven

Bridgeport Hospital

Thank you!

[amags]

We love love love Women's Health Associates in New Haven.  Though I have not met Laura (she joined the team after I gave birth in 2010) both Elise and Debbie attended my (18-hour, natural) birth.  One of them was in the room at all times - incredibly supportive, yet calm and low-profile.  They are knowledgeable and skilled, passionate about their work, compassionate and gentle; in short, everything you'd want in prenatal care.  I cannot recommend their practice highly enough.  Yale as a hospital was fine; it is a top-notch medical facility and they did a perfectly acceptable job of helping us navigate the first day of parenthood.  But truly, it was the superlative care that we received at this practice that stands out to us.  Our birth experience was empowering, life-changing, and joyful, and I really feel that these women played the key role in making it so.  Best of luck in your journey!

[rdposcar]

Thank you so much for your response! I met with Laura last week and am thinking this will be the group we go with (I cancelled out Bridgeport and meet with the midwifes for St. Raphael tomorrow).  If you have a second, can you tell me how you felt your pre-natal appointments went? She said that the first appointment is 1-hour, the second is half-an-hour, and all the other appointments are 15 minutes.  15 minutes seems really quick and I'm a bit wary of that...thoughts? I expect longer appointments from a midwifery group.  

[amags]

Happy to help!  I don't think I ever had an appointment that was that quick, and if so, it was only because I felt good, was progressing normally, and didn't have any questions.  There was always the usual pre-physical stuff (weight, blood pressure, urine sample, etc)  a physical exam (measuring, listening to fetal heartbeat, etc) and then a chat with the midwife in the office.  At each appointment, there is usually a 'handout' talking about what to expect in that phase of pregnancy, or what to be doing to prepare for the birth, etc.  Perhaps she means that the physical component of the exam will take 15 minutes?  I will say that I NEVER felt rushed during my appointments.  There were definitely times where I had questions or concerns, and the midwives always took plenty of time to answer questions, reassure me, etc.  Really, I could not rate our experience with this practice more highly... and I know in part this is because they were such an integral part of the most beautiful day of our lives, but the whole experience with their practice was, for us, a lesson in how all medical care ought to me.  They just get it.  I don't know what else I could say... but we love them.  Any more questions, let me know, and enjoy!  Such an exciting time.

[rdposcar]

Thank you!!! Your input is a HUGE help because I live about 50 minutes away so I don't know anyone who has used them.  Just met with the St. Raphael's midwifes and I'm pretty set on going with Yale, so really...a million thank yous for your additional input!

[amags]

Glad to have helped!  And again, best wishes for a happy, healthy pregnancy and birth.

[amags]

p.s. We also traveled to use this group - about 30 minutes to their satellite office and 45 minutes to New Haven - and it was worth it.  :)

[Chrisa]

Joni Stone http://www.circleoflifemidwifery.com

My first appt with her is next week. She was recommended by my naturopath, who had her at her birth

[Cynthia Mosher]

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