Midwife or Dr?

[angel0123]

Which do you have? And why did you choose that?

---
I have been told I need to go to a dr this pg... I am considered higher than normal risk. I will be transfering to an ob/gyn soon.
I would love to have a mw. I love the idea of longer appts and some being with you the whole labor.
I feel like I am missing out b/c I have been told not to get a mw.

[meggles]

We're contacting midwives to interview now, and hope to decide on one within the next few weeks. We want a homebirth and believe pregnancy and birth are natural events that do not need to be medically managed. I'm healthy and in great shape, so I'm as low-risk as they get.

[swtpesq]

I saw a m/w for prenatal care during my last pregnancy (I loved her!), then saw the ob she works with when I had a m/c. I've since switched jobs, and my previous m/w is now too far away (plus I didn't love the ob). There are no other m/w's that do hospital births near where we live (DH insists on a hospital birth because of family history of c-sections, and I tend to agree with him), so I found the most "holistic", doula-friendly ob in my area that I could and that is who I'm going to see. Unfortunately she's getting out of ob (insurance costs too much!), but she will have a replacement who will hopefully be doula-friendly, non-interventive, etc. If not, then we'll be back to square 1!

[gribbit]

We are planning on having a home birth this time and so are seeing a midwife.. I really want to avoid the hospital this time.. More importantly, I want to avoid another c section which is what I ended up with last time.. We both feel that a home birth with a midwife is the way to go..

michelle

[mommy2boys]

I am having a midwife this time around. With my last pregnancy I had an OB and was so displeased with the level of care. I have received numerous recommendations for the midwife I have chosen, I hope she is as good as everyone says.

[RoadWorkAhead]

A midwife. Already picked out the m/w. Same as last pg. She rocks my world!

[Synchro246]

Originally Posted by angel0123

Which do you have? And why did you choose that?

---
I have been told I need to go to a dr this pg... I am considered higher than normal risk. I will be transfering to an ob/gyn soon.
I would love to have a mw. I love the idea of longer appts and some being with you the whole labor.
I feel like I am missing out b/c I have been told not to get a mw.

I'm not in your ddc, but I was wondering a few things:
1) what state do you live in?
2) who told you you need to go to a dr? and why the moderate/high risk status ?
3) Have you considered colaberative care? This is the midwife doing all the normal stuff (measurements, blood draws, pee sticks, etc) and when you need that "high risk care" you use the doc.

[Thalia]

We are planning on a midwife. We want to have the baby in an alternative birthing center inside a hospital (in Illinois, freestanding birth centers are illegal, for now), and at the one we chose, midwifes are the ones who attend the births.

We decided to go with a midwife because everything seems to be normal with my pregancy so far, and we have a better chance of having an intervention free birth with a midwife. We also liked the fact that our midwife would stay with us the whole time (even if I had a c-section).

Finally, my sister, who is in her last year of an OB residency, said that if she were not an OB herself, she would have a midwife when she gives birth for the first time. She said, "you need an advocate during labor and delivery!". She's a pretty cool OB.

[angel0123]

1) what state do you live in? Canada

2) who told you you need to go to a dr? and why the moderate/high risk status ?
I was told by my dr... I bled threw my whole last pg with unexplained bleeding. My water leaked threw the last month needing lots of care to watch for my water level. I also had a very rough deleivery. My baby's heart rate dropped and they he was born with an apgar of 2 or 3 I believe.
I love my dr. She is very ap but doesn't like midwives. She told me with my history "if you go with a midwife you are being selfish considering how your last pg and delivery went". She isn't even the one who will deliver so its not like she would get paid for my delivery. kwim?

3) Have you considered colaberative care? This is the midwife doing all the normal stuff (measurements, blood draws, pee sticks, etc) and when you need that "high risk care" you use the doc.
In Ontario you have to choose a mw or a dr you can't have both. But I will look in to it thanks for the suggestion.

[Synchro246]

Now, although you may be at increased risk for developing the same pregnancy complications does not mean that you will develop them. As for the rough delivery it's hard to differentiate if that's something that would have been no matter what or if medical care contributed to the traumatic outcome.

Can you pick a midwife for now and then transfer to the care of a doctor if you become higher risk? It seems like a silly question since midwives take low risk women all the time and part of their practice is transfering care if the need arises.

If you want a midwife and don't have any high risk indicators for THIS pregnancy then I suggest selecting a midwife and being prepared to switch to a doctor if this pregnancy develops risks.

I don't think it's selfish at all to want the best care for yourself and your baby. I think it's overkill to go to a surgeon for a pregnancy just because your last pregnancy was abnormal. Many doctors don't know much about preventing complications they are proficient at dealing with them when they arrise. Midwives are great at keeping borderline women low risk through quality care and nutritional counseling (hence the long visits that you like).

If you post in Midwives, childbirth educators, and doulas about your previous antepartum complications you may get good responses about the liklihood of them developing again or how to prevent their development.

Good Luck with what you decide

[Synchro246]

I feel like I came off a little too pro-midwife in my previous post . It wasn't meant to be that way, although I am pro-midwife. I just felt like you really want a midwife and as of right now if your current pregnancy is progressing normally then you should go with what you want.

[velveeta]

Hi ladies! All the replies are interesting! We are going for our second homebirth, although I am actually kind of nervous about it because here in NC, homebirth does not enjoy the same legal status as it does in TX, where our first DS was born. :-(

Plus, we live in a much smaller house with a teeny tiny bathtub. But, my DS' birth was relatively quick (6 hrs), so maybe this one will be, too.

I sure loved my midwife in TX. She made it wonderful!

Jean

[gr8tfulmom]

We will be with the same midwives and family birth center we had for ds. When I called to schedule an initial appt. they said "you were just here!"

[PortraitPixie]

midwife/ homebirth this time around.

[mrsfatty]

In my previous pregnancy I was PIH/Preeclamptic. I interviewed a mw today...but I have this awful feeling I'm going to have to end up with a OBGYN anyway...

[Mamita Mala]

I just found out I'm pregnant with my second child and am going with a midwife this time. While my hospital experience with my daughter wasn't bad , I want something less medicalized, more natural. More than likely We'll be going with a birthing center since small nyc apartments don't make for great homebirthing places , plus I think my partner would freak.

[bobandjess99]

Originally Posted by angel0123

Which do you have? And why did you choose that?

---
I have been told I need to go to a dr this pg... I am considered higher than normal risk. I will be transfering to an ob/gyn soon.
I would love to have a mw. I love the idea of longer appts and some being with you the whole labor.
I feel like I am missing out b/c I have been told not to get a mw.

So what?
I am considered super high risk because of several factors, and had an unassisted homebirth.

It's your choice.

Do what you want.

If *you* truly feel you need the services of a surgeon to bring your baby into the world...then fine.
If you want, see a midwife, you're an adult, stop whining and act like one.

I SO HATE threads like this.

[mrsfatty]

Originally Posted by bobandjess99

So what?
I am considered super high risk because of several factors, and had an unassisted homebirth.

It's your choice.

Do what you want.

If *you* truly feel you need the services of a surgeon to bring your baby into the world...then fine.
If you want, see a midwife, you're an adult, stop whining and act like one.

I SO HATE threads like this.

Wow...your comment is highly innappropriate.: It's not always about what a woman wants. An adult can be upset about knowing the services of a midwife will not be used for their pregnancy and labor and delivery because of their risk factor. If it upsets you to read it--then move on and don't comment--we weren't acting very "adult" when you were attacking that mama.

I can relate to that woman. I've interviewed a midwife. She said she *would* take me...but basically, wouldn't be able to care for me if I became high-risk--and it would be MY FAULT if I did develop PIH/Preeclampsia...and it's not a matter of choice--PIH/Preeclampsia is NOT preventable...it's ineveitable for some women...I don't need someone else blaming me for a condition I cannot control. That mama didn't need you blaming her for her conditions/situation either. Please be respectful...I hate to see this negativity here on this board.

[Synchro246]

Originally Posted by mrsfatty

Wow...your comment is highly innappropriate.: It's not always about what a woman wants. An adult can be upset about knowing the services of a midwife will not be used for their pregnancy and labor and delivery because of their risk factor. If it upsets you to read it--then move on and don't comment--we weren't acting very "adult" when you were attacking that mama.

I can relate to that woman. I've interviewed a midwife. She said she *would* take me...but basically, wouldn't be able to care for me if I became high-risk--and it would be MY FAULT if I did develop PIH/Preeclampsia...and it's not a matter of choice--PIH/Preeclampsia is NOT preventable...it's ineveitable for some women...I don't need someone else blaming me for a condition I cannot control. That mama didn't need you blaming her for her conditions/situation either. Please be respectful...I hate to see this negativity here on this board.

I totally agree that the above post is inappropriate. If a woman is having a hard time choosing her care provider it's OK and she deserves support and information.


I am a little confused about your post. Did the midwife say that PIH would be your fault? I do think that rates of preeclampsia can be reduced- ie SOME cases ARE preventable. However, I don't think it's a woman's fault if she develops it. If you are prone to preeclampsia please read about Dr.Brewer's work http://www.blueribbonbaby.org/ They argue that preeclampsia can be eliminated, and I don't know about all that, but I do assert that MANY cases can be prevented and severity lessened.

[mrsfatty]

Originally Posted by Synchro246

I totally agree that the above post is inappropriate. If a woman is having a hard time choosing her care provider it's OK and she deserves support and information.


I am a little confused about your post. Did the midwife say that PIH would be your fault? I do think that rates of preeclampsia can be reduced- ie SOME cases ARE preventable. However, I don't think it's a woman's fault if she develops it. If you are prone to preeclampsia please read about Dr.Brewer's work http://www.blueribbonbaby.org/ They argue that preeclampsia can be eliminated, and I don't know about all that, but I do assert that MANY cases can be prevented and severity lessened.

Sorry to be confusing!!! Yes, the midwife said it would be my fault if I developed PIH/Preeclampsia...MOST women who get it would get it regardless of any "preventative" measures they may take (i.e. nutrition)...I agree that SOME cases PIH is caused by poor diet (PIH can lead to Preeclampsia)--but that was not the case with me...I've read about Dr. Brewer--his food concept is great for those who have no idea about nutrition...I've read many studies about Preeclampsia--and TRUE PIH/Preeclampsia cannot be prevented or cured (except with delivery)...

It's currently being suggested that those who have PIH/Preeclampsia may have an underlying disorder (like a clotting disorder or a hypertension issue or autoimmune disorders, etc.) that may cause Preeclampsia...but no one really knows...

...It's not guarenteed that I'll get it this time around (my third pregnancy--hopefully, my second full-term healthy baby)...but if I do develop it, I don't want to be under the care of someone who will blame me for it.

I will most likely end up with my OBGYN and pray I don't develop PIH/Preeclampsia...and I will get the birthing experience I desire!

Does that make more sense?