Central Iowa Home Birth

[ashley ann]

Would anyone be able to share their experience with Sheryl Pauderbaugh as a midwife for their homebirth? I am prego with #3 and used another midwife with #2 but she recently released me from her care due to my anemia in this pregnancy. Sheryl said this wouldn't be a problem in her practice and I am meeting with her on Monday and would love any information you could give me. Thanks! 

[kylaskye]

Hey, hope this isn't too late for you, but I had a home birth with Sheryl at the end of August. She pretty much let me do my thing and was there when I needed it.

She is very gentle, and didn't have a problem with me refusing cervical checks throughout my pregnancy, but insisted during labor. She only checked me 3 times in the 9 hrs she was with me. She was very supportive. 

The only issue I had is that she doesn't have a regular assistant, so she was the only one there during my labor and as I was pushing she was on her phone texting patients about appointments being cancelled, This won't be a problem if you're in labor outside of office hours, though. 

She also doesn't answer her phone all of the time, but usually will call back. (Especially if you do the page option in the voicemail menu.) She does, however, keep her voicemail full since she has issues with missed calls, I think.

Overall, I had a good experience with her. I initially wanted an unassisted birth, but my DH didn't feel comforable with that, and she was a good middle ground.