I'm looking for a midwife in the minneapolis area.

[bellee]

I just talked to my insurance and they cover CNM's and was looking through the directory and there's a bunch! I just feel wierd picking one based on how there name looks printed on a page . Anyone have any good recomendations for me?

TIA

[jessikate]

HealthEast has a group of CNM's that they work with. I and at least a couple other Mommas in the Twin Cities group here have experience with them. I thought they were wonderful.

For the record, I saw Phyllis Reames during my pregnancy, and Julia Oulman when I delivered. It was great. If I have another hospital birth (St. Joe's hospital this time), I'll definitely work with them.

Good luck!

[DoulaSarah]

That is funny! I saw Phylis too (she is great) and Julia was the CNM on call and I had a terrible time of it. So it really depends on what you are looking for. The hospitals that have waterbirth are HCMC, St. Joes and Woodwinds. The ones with higher intervention rates are United, Methodist, North Memorial, Southdale and Abbott. You can give me a call if you want and we can talk about what you are looking for. I have been to births at most of the Twin Cities hospitals and if I haven't, I know someone who has. I will PM you my phone number!!

[mamarsupial]

we saw the cnms at the fairview women's clinic and were happy enough to go back this time around :)

most of the cnm practices here are pretty big...at least a few cnms each (fairview has nine). based on what i've heard from other moms, no matter where you go, there will be one or two cnms you like, and a few you don't, based on your own goals and attitudes.

you might consider meeting with a couple from each practice you are considering to find out what their attitudes are about the things that are important to you.

[amyrobynne]

DoulaSarah--

Where does Regions fit on the list? If I decide on hospital birth, I can choose between Regions and Abbott and I was leaning towards Abbott because of its level III NICU and higher rankings in a "were you happy with your care" survey provided by my insurance (not exactly the most trustworthy source). Also, "Thinking Woman's Guide" said that if you go with a hospital, you should at least go somewhere that provides good NICU care. I'm hoping for a homebirth, but if I can't it would be nice to know which would be a better choice.

Amy

[DoulaSarah]

Regions is nice. It is hard to answer your question though, as I wouldn't ever pick a hospital based on the chance of something going wrong. This is probably coming out wrong!! Regions is a good place to give birth and they have very good midwifes. They aren't as interventive as Abbott would be, give me a call and we can chat about what you are looking for and maybe make a good hospital fit.

[AvalonDaughter]

Sarah, Have you attended a birth at Woodwinds?

I did give birth at United last time. I did choose if because of the OB (only delivered at United ) and the NICU III because of the complications we had in late pg etc. I can understand choosing one for that reason -- but understand what Sarah is saying.

I however, (despite my effort to very much inform myself) was not aware of the intervention rates etc.
I really want a different experience this time. Am searching for a new OB and a doula for this birth and a hosptial that would do a waterbirth

O.k. that got long.


has anyone else on here given birth at Woodwinds?

[DoulaSarah]

I am not sure if the OB's at Woodwinds do the whole waterbirth thing. Have you thought about having a midwife? Or at least a family practice Dr.? There is one at the Woodwinds site (Fam Prac Dr, I mean) that is doing waterbirth after waterbirth. I can get her number if you would like. I don't work with OB's very often as a doula, so i don't have a lot of info on the practive at Woodwinds.