Midwives, what to expect - religion and fertility

[Flower of Bliss]

I would like to switch to midwife care. I have a few questions about what to expect and what is "normal."

1) I am not Christian. A midwife whose office was completely covered with Christian posters, art, Biblical quotes, etc would make me incerdibly uncomfortable. A midwife who regularly used Christian verbage during appointments would be more than I could take. I have found that almost all of the midwives in my area have websites that are very very full of religious quotes, discuss midwifery as a calling from God, and the like. Is this just the norm?

2) I have PCOS. To get pregnant with DD I ended up seeing a fertility specialist. I am willing to go that route again. It was minimally invasive (Clomid, ultrasounds, blood work, and a HCG trigger shot). However, especially assuming that I am still nursing DD when I TTC again, I would prefer a more naturally minded practioner. Do midwives commonly help with fertility issues?

I am hoping to switch care providers BEFORE I'm pregnant again. I started my first PPAF last month, so I'm feeling like maybe I should start interviewing midwives.

I am open to any and all suggestions. I live in the Houston area (The Woodlands).

Sage

[HarperRose]

You might post in FYT and see what mws are there. NO, having so much Christian-based stuff around isn't the norm. While I am a practicing Christian, I would be uncomfortable, too. IMO, I'm hiring a midwife for her information and expertise, not Biblical beliefs and opinions. A good mw will know that and it won't be an issue! My former mw (just let her go today and decided to UC) had a few Christ-based things in her home (crosses, pic of Christ w/ children) and that was fine with me because it's part of HER life and I was in HER home. We didn't discuss religion, though.

I would definitely avoid a care provider that I wasn't totally comfortable with.

I don't know about PCOS, but hopefully someone else can help out there.

[cryspanimal]

Originally Posted by Sage72380

1) I am not Christian. A midwife whose office was completely covered with Christian posters, art, Biblical quotes, etc would make me incerdibly uncomfortable. A midwife who regularly used Christian verbage during appointments would be more than I could take. I have found that almost all of the midwives in my area have websites that are very very full of religious quotes, discuss midwifery as a calling from God, and the like. Is this just the norm?

Hmmm...not around here. My midwife is Jewish and a lesbian. I am originally from the Houston area, though. Certainly it is more Jesusey down there than here in New England. You might want to post in your Tribal Area to see if you get any MW recommendations for a not-super-Christian midwife.

2) I have PCOS. To get pregnant with DD I ended up seeing a fertility specialist. I am willing to go that route again. It was minimally invasive (Clomid, ultrasounds, blood work, and a HCG trigger shot). However, especially assuming that I am still nursing DD when I TTC again, I would prefer a more naturally minded practioner. Do midwives commonly help with fertility issues?

My midwives were knowledgable about things like charting and FAM. I am guessing that you may need to be referred to an OB if you require the minimally invasive things you mentioned in your post, but I don't have personal experience with that - maybe someone else will.

[Flower of Bliss]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'll try FYT for particular suggestions. I see midwife suggestions there all the time, but I've been so very turned off by the websites : I hate to pick a care provider based on her religion. Of course, I have no issue with having a midwife that happens to be Christian. It's just they seem to present themselves as very Christian women who happen to be midwives.

[tamagotchi]

Most midwives in my area will do well-woman care (pap smears, etc), but don't treat fertility issues. If you are looking for an alternative to conventional fertility treatments, several people I know have had great results with acupuncture. If you need conventional fertility treatments, you would need to go to a doctor for that; midwives can't prescribe medications, as far as I know.

[alegna]

I'm not Christian either. I was very turned off by how Christian the websites of midwives were. That said, my midwife DOES mention religion on her website, however, once I met with her I knew it would not be a problem. She very rarely mentions anything religious (and trust me, I'm very aware and sensitive about it) When she does it's usually in the context of a personal story about herself.

-Angele

[Belleweather]

I have no idea what faith any of the three midwives in my practice are. Over the course of one birth and all my post-natal care, well-woman care, and prenatal care for another birth it has never been mentioned.

As far as infertility, we went through a lot of the same sorts of treatment trying to concieve DS (they didn't work, when acupuncture did, but that's another story...). I know that our midwives do some fertility work from a more wholistic perspective, and they can prescribe drugs like clomid... they don't have in-office ultrasound equipment though, so they'd probably have to work with your OB/RE. On the other hand, whether midwives can prescribe at all, and what they can prescribe differs a lot from state to state so where you live will pretty much decide the question.

[kimiij]

[QUOTE=Belleweather;8859218]I know that our midwives do some fertility work from a more wholistic perspective, and they can prescribe drugs like clomid... they don't have in-office ultrasound equipment though, so they'd probably have to work with your OB/RE. QUOTE]


Not trying to hijack the thread but what is an RE?

[mothragirl]

my MWs were very religious last time around but it was never an issue. down here in the bible belt it seems to be the way with many of the MWs.

[bryonyvaughn]

Originally Posted by kimiij

Not trying to hijack the thread but what is an RE?

RE = reproductive endocrinologist

~BV

[Flower of Bliss]

Originally Posted by alegna

I'm not Christian either. I was very turned off by how Christian the websites of midwives were. That said, my midwife DOES mention religion on her website, however, once I met with her I knew it would not be a problem. She very rarely mentions anything religious (and trust me, I'm very aware and sensitive about it) When she does it's usually in the context of a personal story about herself.

-Angele

It's a relief to hear that Angela. Thanks. That's Chris Duffy, right?

[maxsmum]

My midwife did not have any religious icons or otherwise bring her religion into her practice. She did work with fertility. definately not the norm. Try the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" don't remember the author, sorry.

[Flower of Bliss]

Originally Posted by Belleweather

IAs far as infertility, we went through a lot of the same sorts of treatment trying to concieve DS (they didn't work, when acupuncture did, but that's another story...). I know that our midwives do some fertility work from a more wholistic perspective, and they can prescribe drugs like clomid... they don't have in-office ultrasound equipment though, so they'd probably have to work with your OB/RE. On the other hand, whether midwives can prescribe at all, and what they can prescribe differs a lot from state to state so where you live will pretty much decide the question.

Hmmm. I'll have to look into acupuncture when we start TTC #2. Thanks. That hadn't occured to me That's what I love about MDC. I try not to be so mainstream and medically minded, but when everywhere I went it was all I saw it was hard to find my way outside the box alone. I tried herbs and such on my own when TTC, but I didn't know of anyone to help guide me. How I wish I knew about MDC then. Still, I have DD now and she is quite the blessing :

[Flower of Bliss]

Originally Posted by maxsmum

Try the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility".

I agree that this is an awesome book. I have it, have read it, and don't hesitate to recommend it. I've even given each of my sisters copies.

Unfortunately, charting only tells you when you ARE ovulating. It will not MAKE you ovulate. I charted for many miserable frustrating months. My cycles were quite annovulatory : DD represents the only time I ovulated in about 2 years. Hopefully having DD will have magically jump started my fertility, and I'll start ovulating on my own soonish. Fortunately our only issue was my failure to ovulate. Once I did ovulate we had no trouble getting pregnant or maintaining the pregnancy. I also have no issues BF - which many women with which PCOS are plagued.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by Sage72380

It's a relief to hear that Angela. Thanks. That's Chris Duffy, right?

Feel free to PM me and I'll tell you all about her and religion and my thoughts on it

-Angela

[wannabe]

That religion stuff sounds horrendous. Not common IME (I've been to three midwifery offices).

For fertility, nope, don't expect them to know much beyond charting and maybe what day to order your FSH/LH on (if you're lucky).

I'd go somewhere like a PCOS support group and look for alternative practicioners if that's what you're looking for. Acupuncture has definitely got promise with fertility.

I'm pretty sure you can take vitex while nursing, which helps annovulatory people. Also, lifestyle changes do amazing things - my clinic did a study on an exercise plan for annovulatory women and the results were amazing. You could also look into metformin if you're glucose intolerant with your PCOS - it gets lots of people pregnant without any clomid.

I would also consider ttcing as soon as your period comes back if the timing isn't terrible for you - I know it seems like a foolish old wives tale, but the first few cycles CAN be different, because the hormones are all over the place still.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by wannabe

That religion stuff sounds horrendous. Not common IME (I've been to three midwifery offices).

At least "selling" themselves as Christian is VERY common here.

-Angela

[bryonyvaughn]

Originally Posted by alegna

At least "selling" themselves as Christian is VERY common here.

I'd have a hard time living in the Bible Belt. Using God as a marketing strategy, IMO, is a far more distasteful violation of taking the Lord's name in vain than an expletive following a stubbed toe.

~BV

[alegna]

Originally Posted by bryonyvaughn

I'd have a hard time living in the Bible Belt. Using God as a marketing strategy, IMO, is a far more distasteful violation of taking the Lord's name in vain than an expletive following a stubbed toe.

~BV

As a non-christian I get what you're saying... BUT, you have to realize, a huge number of "Christians" here will only use "christian" stores, providers, etc.

-Angela

[AngelaB]

My mw in kansas was a christian and the md that she worked with Im not sure of her religion. She told some stories of her and her daughter at church softball games and what not but the context of the convo was not religous.

She did say when my dh and I came back from breakfast and walking while in labor that she had been praying for an easy and safe birth for me and I really appreciated it. It didnt offend at all. SHe was sincerly doing what she beleived in and it was wishing me well.

The md I beleive does fertility treatments as well. They run a birth center that does well womens care.

My mw now is religous and has her office on the top floor of a big old church but she has not said anything directly to me about christianity and I didnt get the vibe that she was in the church other than for cheap rent.
I would not like anouther person in a care providers postition touting their religion either. Everybody views birth differently based on their beleifs and I dont want anyone to try and change my views.
Angela