I know someone else already asked this but of course her options are different and I didn't want to hijack her thread. There are 3 HB midwives in my area. I'm having a hard time making my mind up between the 3 and could use some outside perspectives. They're all pretty close in cost and it looks like insurance will pay the majority, so that's not really a factor. They all have a similar number of births that they've attended, though one has been practicing for longer than the other 2. They all use the same consulting OB, but at least one of them has used another on occasion. I don't consider myself high-risk, though I do have some things in my history that make some providers nervous (which is how I ended up with a c/s last time). I don't have any concerns about any of them as far as training or safety go.
Midwife #1 I've probably heard the most about because I know quite a few people who have used her. Almost everything I've heard has been positive, and the negatives have been pretty minor. One mama did feel like she took on too many clients and wasn't really there for her towards the end of her pregnancy, and she ended up transferring out. I don't think MW1 handled it as well as she could have, though it seems like this probably wouldn't be an issue now because MW1 says that she only takes on 2 clients per month. MW1 has done the most VBACs and has a reputation for being the most comfortable with what some would consider to be higher-risk mamas. She has been known to go to bat for her clients in getting an OB sign-off (I had trouble with this last time and was risked out of my planned BC birth, so this could be a big deal). She is located a little farther away than the others, but she will come to our house for prenatals. She has the most outgoing personality of the 3. Hubby clicked with her the best, personality-wise (he has a snarky, sarcastic sense of humor, and while we didn't get that she would be snarky or anything, he felt like she wouldn't be looking at him like he was nuts all the time).
Midwife #2 has been practicing the longest and has done a pretty good number of VBACs. Everything I've heard about her has been positive. She has a reputation for being very hands-off (unless necessary) but supportive in labor, which I like. Personality-wise, she's pretty laid-back and I feel like she would be a very calming presence. I clicked with her the best. I would have to travel to her for appointments until 36 weeks, at which point she would start coming to me. I'm not sure if she has an office or if it would be in her home (she came to our house for the interview). I'm not sure if she would be willing to seek out a second opinion if the consulting OB didn't want to sign off. I know I asked her about it in the interview, but I don't remember exactly what she said, so it couldn't have been very firm either way.
Midwife #3 has done the least number of VBACs, but she is comfortable with them. I've only heard good things about her and our interview went well. However, she seemed less optimistic about my chances than the other 2. She said she would be willing to take me on, but she strongly suggested having concurrent hospital-based care. She also offered to hold a spot for me if I wanted to do prenatals with a hospital-based group and then still have a homebirth if everything was going well. She was polite and professional....maybe a bit more reserved than MW2. Prenatals with her would be at her office, which is a bit of a drive but not too bad, and she has a waiting room with toys and such for my other kids.
Any input would be appreciated. :) Thanks!
