[Lynnette]

I know that readers here don't really know me, but I have a question for all of you ladies (and men if they are here) that I would love to dialog about:

Is there a bigger need for midwives- home birth specifically- in the Denver area? I am especially wondering about the east side metro area. I want to know what is needed and not being provided.

What is the general attitude about the or any birth center? Is that a plus to the community?

I would also love to know your feeling about the general availability of all kinds of midwives and birthing options. Just what are you looking for in a midwife/partner in care?

Is home birth important to you specifically or is it the communication aspect that midwives can or should offer? Or something else?

Communication is what I was looking for way back when I had my first 3 kids, someone to listen and understand what I was trying to communicate. I did eventually find home birth, and loved it, but since that has been a few years, I want to know what YOU, the ladies having babies today, want.

Thanks!
-Lynnette
(missing MetroMidwife, sniff)

 

[cheeseRjedi]

The only birth center I know of in the area is Tracy Ryan's and I think it is a huge asset to the community. There are lots of people that just aren't comfortable enough w/ HB but don't want to be swayed in labor to take drugs and/or compromise their labor and birth wishes and it's wonderful to know that the hospital is not their only option.

I personally never had a lack of midwives to choose from. I guess what I look for in a midwife is someone who I can feel close to during prenatal care and someone who will let me labor my own way. Sure suggestions are welcome but I want to labor mostly on my own.

 

[k9sarchik]

I had no problem finding a home birth midwife with the experience I was looking for.

I agree with the PP.

I get the impression that Mountain Midwifery birth center is very busy. I would like to see more birth centers pop up to fill the demand for women who do not want to birth in a hospital, but are not secure enough to birth at home.

 

[Realrellim]

I'm most interested in the communication aspect. If we have a #2 it will be a hospital birth because the birth center doesn't do VBACs and I'm not interested in a homebirth. I would like a midwife who listens to my needs and doesn't expect me to fit any kind of model (i.e., pregnancy is natural and normal and wants to psychoanalyze me if I'm not having that experience, or one who thinks pregnancy is dangerous to me and wants to monitor everything extra-close).

 

[mamasgirls]

I want a HBA2C so much and am very sad that I am not eligible to have one with the new laws. I am at the south of Denver, but I was surprised when doing my research how many midwives there seemed to be to choose from. I am very curious about the other responses to this, though

 

[Nora'sMommy]

Lynette, I think I spoke to you back in October? when my dh and I were planning on moving to the Lafayette area and I was looking for a mw. We're still in the Springs.......I had my baby boy on June 1st at home. It was a great hb.

Anyway, if I were you wanting to find out this kind of information I would go to the next BirthNetwork meeting in South Denver. www.BirthNetwork.org for the meeting info. I think all 3 leaders have had hb's? and other professionals in the birthing world attend the meetings along with prego women. I'm sure they'd love to answer your questions.

 

[Lynnette]

Hey Megan,
I should have gone to the last one, but was at a birth that day (and had a feeling that would happen!) Maybe we should get one going up north? I already have helped with a group in the very north areas

thefamilyjourney.org

that has a different focus, more on the birthing family's needs.
You may have seen our posts about BirthChat.

My specific questions are about the Denver area and availability of midwives. There aren't many midwives there now due to moving, pregnancy, etc, so am looking to expand my practice there. I will be spending lots of time there over the next 2.5 years, and am very willing to serve the area if there is a need. I especially want to focus on the east side/aurora.

Is there any other feedback about the availability of midwives especially in the east metro area?

thanks ladies! I am glad to have some time to chat here these days.