Midwife Center in Pittsburgh

[bananasmom]

I thought *someone* here had used the Midwife Center (http://www.midwifecenter.org/) for delivery, but when I searched, I couldn't find the link.

Has anyone? What were your experiences?

We are touring the old facility on March 17th, their new one, in the strip, is to be open in April.

[MaryAnnCalderone]

I birthed my last baby at Magee Womens Hospital. I used the midwives who are on staff there. My goal was a VBA2C. I am glad to report that I did get my vbac but it wasn't what I expected. I did feel more comfortable birthing there because of the medical support that was available at all times but you pay a price for the medical stuff. I know that if I hadn't been at Magee I wouldn't have had the vba2c. We were living in Wellsburg, West Virginia at the time and the doctors there are lots more intervention inclined then the doctors at Magee.

If you want more detail lmk, I tell you more.

[Nora]

I've had two babies with the midwives, and I love every one of the four midwives.

Having seen an obstetrician for the first 6 months of pregnancy with my first son, I know the difference in the standard of care and cannot imagine going back to an obstetrician. I've never felt rushed, or as though I were asking too many questions. So many more things were presented to me as choices, instead of "this is what we'll do." And their offices look so much nicer and more inviting than any doctor's office I've ever been in. They even have have handmade cloth robes for you to change into for exams, as opposed to paper gowns. :)

Both my labors were quick but I did deliver both my sons (in the hospital) with absolutely no unnecessary or unwanted intervention.

If you want any more information, or to read either of my birth stories, or to discuss anything about my experience with the midwives, please feel free to email me at nora@zoominternet.net.

Good luck!

--Nora

[bananasmom]

Thank you bodinksmama and Nora.

So many more things were presented to me as choices, instead of "this is what we'll do." And their offices look so much nicer and more inviting than any doctor's office I've ever been in. They even have have handmade cloth robes for you to change into for exams, as opposed to paper gowns.

Wow, the gowns are a touch that I didn't know about.

I had my daughter at Passavant, but they are stopping deliveries this month. I wasn't planning to go with them anyhow, as I want the attention that I can get with the midwife group.

I had a complication free pregnancy, and delivered w/o pain meds. So I feel pretty comfortable going with the new FSBC. I was very unhappy with the amount of interventions provided by my OB, and look forward to an atmosphere where I don't feel like I have to fight to get a delivery like I want.

bodinksmama - Congrats on the VBAC!

[Meiri]

I think a couple of those names look familiar from when I went to BirthPlace when pg with DS back in 1990, then after that for annuals...didn't get to have a BirthPlace birth because at that time a doc had final say and bounced me.:(

They were great ladies to work with as I recall, very caring.

Glad to hear they'll have the new home open this April.:love

In '99 I ended up out at Jeannette District Memorial with Family Nurse Midwife Associates. They're good too, very good listeners. We'd been going to BirthPlace when West Penn...:cuss :splat

[LEmama]

All of my children were born with the midwife group from the Midwife Center. What can I say? I love them.

My first son was born at The Birthplace in 1995. Most of the midwives moved from the Birthplace to AGH in 1997?. We followed them. We lost a newborn son in 1998. He was born by emergency c-section at AGH, and the midwives were incredibly caring and supportive. They came to his memorial service! Our third son was born by planned c-section at AGH with the midwives and Dr. Thomas (he is awesome!) The staff at AGH were nice and flexible, and followed our birth plan.

I know you are probably looking for more specific information. The tour will be very helpful. They are a fabulous group of people who work to empower women. They are skilled and professional, but they will become your friends, too. I would never consider birthing with any one else :heartbeat