WWYD- Midwife or OB/GYN?

[kimiij]

Ok, so this might be long but hopefully some of you might be able to provide some advice.

I graduated from college with a degree in Int'l Politics in 2006. I worked for a year and then I went back to school to do pre-med classes because I wanted to catch babies. My intention is/was to become an OB/GYN. I will be done with my pre-med classes in May and then will apply to med school in June.

HOWEVER, lately, I have been feeling drawn to midwifery. Actually, its pretty much been since right after I started the pre-med classes a year ago.

But, I am afraid to change my mind AGAIN. It has cost a lot to go back to school to do this and now I feel like I've wasted even more money so I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and stick to my OB/GYN plan. I am also afraid of what my fam would say because they have helped me out monetarily as well, so I feel like I would be a big disappointment (they are really looking forward to me being a doctor).

I have also considered becoming a FP who also does obstetrics because the FP model of obstetrics is more closely aligned with midwifery and I could help patients that wanted a different experience than what they could get from an OB/GYN.

If I were to change my mind again, how would I tell my fam? Ugh, could someone tell them for me? : lol

Anyways, any opinions?

[memiles]

My first question would be, do you want to ONLY catch babies, or do you want to be a FP? While you would get to catch babies, you would still have the rest of your practice. Do you want that?

Personally, I don't think that for someone who truly believes in normal birth that OB is the way to go. It's possible to come out the other side with your faith in the process intact, but it's got to be a hard road. Unless you want to care for high risk women, what is an OB specialty going to do for you?

I do see a huge need for FP doctors who do OB. The FP's that I've known that do OB offer amazing care for women who either can't or aren't interested in out of hospital birth and do a great job of normalizing the process for women. All of my clients who have used FP's have been thrilled with their choice.

That being said, it's your life and your choice. If you want to pursue midwifery, do it! Your family can go to medical school if it's so important to them.

[HappyMommy2]

I loved my mw so much! But if you don't want to change career aspirations again ... maybe you could be an OB with a mw heart. Maybe you could be one in a million that actually cares for us mama's.

[BirthIsAwesome]

You could be an Midwife in Disguise! Good luck on finding your path. Just follow where your heart is.

[nashvillemidwife]

What about being a midwife and a family nurse practitioner.

The education you have had so far was not a waste at all. Even if it's not considered necessary training for the path you choose it makes you wiser and gives you more insight into the issues you deal in.

[mwherbs]

find some midwives and talk to them and see if you can "job shadow" do some clinics and maybe observe or help at some births... I would say go talk/interview some docs as well and see...
I have met some great docs who are as caring and respectful as anyone would like and I have seen some mws who were as rude, controlling and disrespectful as you would ever come across--
as a physician you do get more respect- but you have more responsibility as well and fairly high education loans to pay back
CNMs still have a battle less education costs but also less earning power- you ability to move from state to state and practice the way you want is inhibited because states have very different scopes of practice

there are alot of issues and getting some brass tacks in about costs and practice realities are easiest to look at in person

[kimiij]

Thank you guys for your opinions! I'm still making a decision, but you all have been very helpful so far

[CEG]

Well, most of the pre-med classes you would take are probably also either required for nursing school or as a pre-requisite for an accelerated RN/ MSN program, so you probably haven't wasted much there if anything.

One consideration for me with being an FP is that you would also be dealing with old men with sore throats and kids with rashes and etc. You just have to decide if that's what you want. I can see the benefit in providing whole family care but remember that with being an FP doc MOST of your time would be spent on things other than woman/pregnancy care.

Being an OB would provide a lot in flexibility that a midwife cannot- you can care for surgical patients and low-risk patients. Your way to hospital priveliges and opening a practice and finding a job would be much easier in many places.

BUT, there is no way I could stomach med school. I have worked with residents quite a bit and have met very few who have a true passion for caring for people or respect for the birth process. It's generally about getting to do surgeries and rushing labors along.

There is a forum for med students www.studentdoctor.net where you can check out the OB forums- but a warning there are many threads about OB vs. CNM and natural vs c-section etc and it can be a little hard to read for anyone with leanings towards respect for the natural process.

Good luck with your decision.