Ok, so, this will be my second homebirth. I have to choose between three midwife options. I am 
: trying to decide. So if anyone has time to read an obnoxiously long post, please weigh in!
Listed in the order I'm interviewing them:
Option 1: Independent midwife, no apprentices or partners, although she's had them in the past. Practices out of her home about an hour away from us. Would come to my home for prenatals. Is very, very flexible and casual. Is willing to do as much or as little prenatal care and I want--completely my choice, no negotiations necessary. Works a lot in the Mennonite community. Really, really casual and cool. Very, very experienced. Charges $2200.
Option 2: Practice of two midwives and three apprentices about an hour and a quarter away from me. I used them for my first birth and so I know them pretty well, although all their apprentices are new. I would have to travel to them for prenatals, which they do in their office. They strongly prefer to do prenatals at least every six weeks, but are ok with skipping weight and urine dips--two things I dislike and prefer to monitor myself. They charge $2100 but are the most expensive option because of all the travelling expenses to get to their office for prenatals.
I had a really good birth with them. A few months after the birth it seemed too interventive, but when I talked to her last week it turns out that my birth was the most interventive birth she'd ever done! She uses my birth as an example of how interventions can prevent transport. (DD was posterior/asynclitic, very high. For most of my 33 hours labor my cervix was not even reachable. She, with my permission and at my request, pulled my cervix forward, then several hours later manually turned the baby's head, then I requested AROM to try to keep the baby from shifting back. After that she was born within a half-hour). So, in the long run, I'm very happy. I'm very confident with them. But the drive! The expense! And they are a bit um, regimented when it comes to checking HB and such in labor--they just have specific routines they prefer to adhere to.
Option 3: Haven't met her yet. Independent midwife, but she often (from what I hear) brings a backup/assistant with her. She lives about 35 minutes from my home. She would come to me for prenatals. I've heard things about her I didn't like as much--kind of regimented too, has routines she wants to stick to, etc. But I really liked her over the phone--she seemed really respectful of my schedule and how busy I am and such, and seemed *exactly* the right temperment for me--not busy, but not soft-spoken either. She charges (I hear) $1500. At that price I might be able to afford a really nice birthing pool too.
So....I'm really so split on the matter. I've got really nice, well-matched temperments and really affordable, or the same practice I birthed with before who went above and beyond to keep me from transport/c-section (a certainty in a hospital with the complications I had) but really expensive and new apprentices to get to know, or a super-cool, super laid-back, very, very hands-off traditional midwife who is priced mid-range and who we really like.
Gah. Such decisions. I'm so lucky to have so many choices, but how to choose!!!???
: trying to decide. So if anyone has time to read an obnoxiously long post, please weigh in!Listed in the order I'm interviewing them:
Option 1: Independent midwife, no apprentices or partners, although she's had them in the past. Practices out of her home about an hour away from us. Would come to my home for prenatals. Is very, very flexible and casual. Is willing to do as much or as little prenatal care and I want--completely my choice, no negotiations necessary. Works a lot in the Mennonite community. Really, really casual and cool. Very, very experienced. Charges $2200.
Option 2: Practice of two midwives and three apprentices about an hour and a quarter away from me. I used them for my first birth and so I know them pretty well, although all their apprentices are new. I would have to travel to them for prenatals, which they do in their office. They strongly prefer to do prenatals at least every six weeks, but are ok with skipping weight and urine dips--two things I dislike and prefer to monitor myself. They charge $2100 but are the most expensive option because of all the travelling expenses to get to their office for prenatals.
I had a really good birth with them. A few months after the birth it seemed too interventive, but when I talked to her last week it turns out that my birth was the most interventive birth she'd ever done! She uses my birth as an example of how interventions can prevent transport. (DD was posterior/asynclitic, very high. For most of my 33 hours labor my cervix was not even reachable. She, with my permission and at my request, pulled my cervix forward, then several hours later manually turned the baby's head, then I requested AROM to try to keep the baby from shifting back. After that she was born within a half-hour). So, in the long run, I'm very happy. I'm very confident with them. But the drive! The expense! And they are a bit um, regimented when it comes to checking HB and such in labor--they just have specific routines they prefer to adhere to.
Option 3: Haven't met her yet. Independent midwife, but she often (from what I hear) brings a backup/assistant with her. She lives about 35 minutes from my home. She would come to me for prenatals. I've heard things about her I didn't like as much--kind of regimented too, has routines she wants to stick to, etc. But I really liked her over the phone--she seemed really respectful of my schedule and how busy I am and such, and seemed *exactly* the right temperment for me--not busy, but not soft-spoken either. She charges (I hear) $1500. At that price I might be able to afford a really nice birthing pool too.
So....I'm really so split on the matter. I've got really nice, well-matched temperments and really affordable, or the same practice I birthed with before who went above and beyond to keep me from transport/c-section (a certainty in a hospital with the complications I had) but really expensive and new apprentices to get to know, or a super-cool, super laid-back, very, very hands-off traditional midwife who is priced mid-range and who we really like.
Gah. Such decisions. I'm so lucky to have so many choices, but how to choose!!!???
), I would suggest going with the one you feel most comfortable and compatible with. This is your baby and your birthing, so overall.. price shouldn't be an issue, you should choose the one who will provide the best birthing environment.
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