UIHC midwives and the birthing area there.

[LionessMom]

what is it like? i want a homebirth with a midwife but we can not afford it. my ins will pay for the midwives at uihc though. so i was wondering what it was like? my last birth was a natural hosp birth. it was great except for a couple of things that might not have happened with a midwife.

[maui mom]

Try talking with Merrily Daly, www.onlinemidwife.com.  She was my midwife here in Maui, HI, but she does pregnancy consulting around the globe via email, skype or phone.  I know she has some clients set-up with regular prenatal care, other clients who just want to ask a midwife a few questions, or are trying to figure out the differences of midwife vs. OB care.

She is a Registered Nurse (RN) as well as Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), and has over 30 years experience in nursing, hospital and homebirths. I don't normally post on these forums, but felt that I should share my experience with as many expectant mothers as possible.  Please pass the word on about her website!

Aloha!

[LionessMom]

i specifically need info in the UIHC. 

[Iowa]

Are you referring to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics?  I delivered there with a midwife and had a beautiful, unmedicated birth.  I would not hesitate to go that route. 

[LionessMom]

Originally Posted by Iowa 

Are you referring to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics?  I delivered there with a midwife and had a beautiful, unmedicated birth.  I would not hesitate to go that route. 

yes i am. last time i used st lukes in cr and i was not entirely happy. i was hoping a midwife would be nicer. 

[mamasitakray]

Thought I would lend a differing opinion about the UIHC midwives.  I gave birth to my first child there and was forced to receive pitocin because of testing positive for group B strep and having my water break first.  I had to receive antibiotics during labor but because I went too fast, I didn't receive the full dosing of antibiotics.  I did end up having a natural birth, thankfully, despite the fact, that I also didn't see my midwife during the entire portion of my "labor".  They then decided it was necessary to test my child's white blood cell count which showed that it was slightly elevated.  Even though his apgar score was nine and there were no signs of anything wrong with him we were forced to stay an extra five days until his white blood cell count was what they deemed "normal".  They also terrorized us with "dead baby" stories because we had decided to decline the vitamin K shot even though our child had had a normal vaginal birth.  All in all, a very traumatic first-time birth experience.  Despite all of this, I was still unsure about having a home birth and went to the midwives at UIHC again when I became pregnant a second time.  This time I was told that I would have to receive an ultrasound to determine my baby's due date.  When I informed them that I would not do this, they told me they would have to transfer me to the care of a high-risk OB, despite the fact that I was a healthy pregnant woman who had already had a previous healthy birth under their care.  I left and found CNM, Kathy Deol, who offers home birth in the area and who can be sent in for reimbursement to most insurances.  I had two happy, healthy and joyful deliveries with her since then.  I believe the UIHC midwives are nothing like a "midwife" is supposed to be.  They are only a facade for the intervening medical institute they must abide by.  If you are looking to say "no" to conventional medical practices during pregnancy and labor and want someone to be there and help you to labor, don't attend the UIHC midwives.  Three other women, that I know of, who attended the UIHC midwives also had very similar experiences.     

[LionessMom]

well i guess that answers my questions. i would love to hire Kathy. i am afraid to do a home birth bc of how far i live from the hospital. but maybe if i can get my husband to feel better i will see. i know that she my insurance will pay her except for $1500 for supplies that i might not be reimbursed for by the insurance company. i dont really have that either. i will call her again and see what is going on. if not then i will go back to the last person i used who did not scare me or pretend that she was in control. she was a family doctor and was open to all the natural stuff i wanted. it was great except the nurses manhandling me.

[mamasitakray]

If you can't do a home birth, then finding a family doctor or OB who supports natural methods, is definitely the way to go.  I've heard much better things about Mercy here in Iowa City (vs. UIHC) and we go to a doctor through their practices for our kids when they are really sick who is ok with declining vaccinations.  I've also been pleased with them when I had to use their emergency room a couple of times (I had them as my hospital back-up choice, if something had gone awry during home birth).  Have you thought about getting a doula?  There are a ton of them in the area and they could advocate for you and possibly help out with what happens this time around with the nurses.  And their fee is much smaller, though no reimbursement.  Have you talked to your doctor about your previous experience and current fears?  Of course if her staff isn't on the same page as the doctor then it makes things kind of harder.  Hopefully you can work with Kathy though.  She is wonderful and caring midwife.  Good luck :)       

[LionessMom]

i am really leaning towards wanting a home birth for so many reasons but i dont think i can afford the cost. i havent called her yet to ask about it though. i will probably just go back to the same lady i used last time. iit was the hospital nurses who pulled me. i will tell her how it made me feel. she is real good about wanting to do what i want. i would rather just stay home though. i do plan on hiring a doula again no matter what.

[coobabysmom]

Don't let cost stop you if you really want a homebirth. Perhaps the homebirth midwife would be willing to barter some of her fee. What could you or your partner offer in kind? House repairs? landscaping? Talk to her, share your story and motivation. Good luck! Home is such a wonderful place to have a baby!

[Iowa]

Sorry I wasn't good at keeping up to date on this thread.  I do want to share that I went to the midwives at UIHC and they followed my birth plan to a T.  The nurse even went and made additional copies and made sure that anyone coming into the room reviewed it.  Even though it wasn't in our birth plan, they turned off the lights in the room and opened the blinds slightly as our baby was born just as the sun was rising.  A pediatrician did pop in right after I delivered and the midwife told him that he'd have to come back and so our baby wasn't weighed or even out of our hands for over two hours.  We also decided to leave after 24 hours and they were good about making sure all paperwork, etc. was done to make that happen.  They also applauded us for skipping the circ which was refreshing after hearing lots of other saying that nurses/dr.'s sometimes push that at other hospitals.  I felt it was very comfortable for birthing (large rooms and deep soaking tubs in the labor and also in the postpartum care rooms) and that they were very supportive of giving us the birth experience that we were after.  I like the idea of a home birth, but being pregnant again and having had a very postive hospital experience, we will probably go that route again and maybe leave after 6 hours which I believe is what there minimum is.   

[iris777888]

Just saw this thread. We had an awesome hospital birth with the midwife group at the UIHC, just perfect for us, however not everyone I know has had the same experience. Care varied widely among particular midwives, and they have had some turnover lately so I can't say for certain your experience would be the same. If you really want a homebirth, look into all your options.  I know Katie at Eastern Iowa Midwifery takes insurance http://easterniowamidwifery.com/homebirth-faq/#insurance, and I think Kathy does too, at least some.

[LionessMom]

well my insurance wouldnt cover any homebirth bc i have medicare as my primary and they only cover stuff in a hospital. so my medicaid secondary wont cover it either. i found a midwife who let me pay a reduced fee and lives close to me. as long as everything goes right and i hit 37 weeks, i am cleared for homebirth. 

[iris777888]

Great!! I'm glad to hear you found someone to work with you.