Asking for a specific midwife in a practice?

[loraxc]

I used a freestanding birth center with 3 midwives for my first birth. You see all 3 for prenatal care, and when you go into labor, you "get" the MW who is on call. I liked all 3 midwives, but felt much less connected with one. She was on call for DD's birth, and while I really feel she is a very good, competent MW, I felt my lack of personal comfort with her impeded labor (my contractions would lessen or space out when she was around). I had a very long, difficult labor ending in a transfer, FTR.

I considered using a different practice this time because of this issue, but have decided this practice is still my best choice. Would it be totally out of line for me to request that this MW not attend my birth? I am great with either of the other two attending. (They actually were both around during my labor, because another labor was in progress, so I know for sure that I feel more at ease with them.) Is this an understandable request, in your opinion, or would this create bad feelings and resentment? I've considered framing it in terms of not wanting the associations with my last birth to color this one...this has some truth to it, too.

[courtenay_e]

Can't hurt to ask! I know some midwives who would completely understand...and would actually rather NOT be there if there's not a good vibe...this IS after all supposed to be "woman centered care," right? On the other hand some practices work ONLY on an "on call" basis...because it makes for a more realistic family life that way. But you won't know until you ask.

[loraxc]

Yeah, I guess I was wondering if MWs here would feel put off by this, or if it would seem understandable/no biggie. I guess it's something you could only answer if you work in a practice, though.

The thing is, this MW is on call 50% of the time, even though there are 3 MWs--I think she has fewer family obligations.

[JessicaE]

We have a similar practice of three midwives in my area. There is one midwife, in particular, who puts off many of my students. I have seriously had them come to me in tears and say they don't know what they'll do if she's at their birth.

Anyhow, I encourage them to politely and gently share their concerns with one of the other midwives. The other midwife usually offers to "special" that couple, meaning that she will attend their birth even if she's not on call. If the midwife doesn't offer, sometimes the couple will come right out and ask. This is a lot to ask (can you agree to possibly come in on your day off and spend many hours with me?), and I encourage people not to take it lightly. But the midwives do seem pretty free about making these exceptions.

So no, I don't think it's out of line at all. If you bring up your discomfort, and your concerns about this hindering your labor, they very well may be willing to help. And if they're not, I'm sure they'll be equally gentle and polite about letting you know.

[mwherbs]

how the birth center is run in my area- and in many other areas and why this will probably not work- this birth center actually manages to do an average of 30 births a month in the center- now from the beginning of care to the time of birth they transfer 60%- because of the strict protocols the back-up doctors put on them( this is probably some configuration of restraint of trade anyhow) with 3 midwives who do clinic and are on rotating call for the birth center and the one's with prevliges doing/or assisting management of their transfers- how is one midwife going to cater to a client? each midwife in the birth center is going to average 10 births in 10 days plus clinic and post partum days+ possibly co/managing another 5-10 more that are transfers --- if you have just come off of your 10 days of 24 hr call are you going to be there an extra day? for all the clients who request it? only if you are family or a dear dear friend- is what I say---