[RiceMomma]

I really want a homebirth, so I went to a support group meeting with the homebirth group in my area. I came away with a really bad vibe. So for me personally, I don't think homebirth will be an option, since there is only this one homebirth midwife within two hours of my home, and I have fast births.

This midwife is just starting out and at this meeting, she explained how she was now the only midwife for the area. There were two other midwives from another area who were driving in and working with her, but for some reason, one of the midwives suddenly quit midwifery, and the other decided to graduate this gal early. She didn't give any other details concerning this. She has done 12 births during her apprenticeship. And now she is apprenticing another gal who was also working with the widwives from the other area.

Another concern I have is that she doesn't repair tears. I asked about how they handle tears since I have torn for each of my births. She told me that you should probably go to the hospital and get stitches for a 4th degree tear, but other than that, just keep your legs together for 2 weeks. She treated me like an idiot for asking how they repair tears, and acted like I was crazy to assume a tear should be repaired. (This is the attitude I hate, that my questions and concerns are stupid, that I often get from docs, but now I'm getting it from the midwifery community.) Is that how most midwives handle tears?

I had only considered this in terms of myself, and felt I was uncomfortable, not just with the inexperience, but also felt some incompatability with this woman on a personal level. But now I am wondering if this situation is perhaps dangerous? One of her first births on her own will be a VBAC. I've always been of the mind that people should make their own choices, so if this mom wants to try a VBAC at home with an inexperienced midwife, that's her business, but are there more risks than this midwife would have those of us at the meeting believe? Is she being reckless?

Since this is the only homebirth option in my area, I'm wondering if things differ in other places. Anyone care to weigh in?

 

[Glittergal]

Yikes!
I personally would feel very uncomfortable about the situation. Especially because your instincts are telling you she isn't a good match for you and that you are already worried about her skill level. It's really important you find a midwife you completely trust and feel safe with. That said, I also think 12 births is a bit too little to be a solo provider! Maybe other people will disagree with me but I can't imagine too many people start on their own, with homebirths, with so little experience. Is she working completely alone or does she have an assistant? That too is important in my book - I would be worried about a new inexperienced midwife with little community support (in terms of other midwives) and no help at a birth. Even though most of the time things go smoothly, in an emergency, I would really want someone who can think clearly and has an extra set of hands. I definitely consider myself a "new" midwife and I've attended almost 100 births. Does she have other training that gives her more experience?
In terms of the repair question, I'm sure you'll get all sorts of answers...
Lots of tears don't require suturing and heal beautifully on by themselves. A 4th degree tear is so rare, I would definitely go to the hospital to get repaired. But there are alot of inbetween tears that I would imagine most people would want someone experienced to repair...

At any rate, are you sure there aren't any other midwives in the area? Maybe some who are more "underground"? It sounds like she isn't a great option for you but it would be a shame to miss out on a homebirth. Good luck!

 

[RiceMomma]

Thanks for your reply, Glittergal. More clarification on the arrangement: There in one midwife, the gal who has attended 12 homebirths. She does have experience as a L&D nurse, so perhaps that number 12 isn't completely accurate. Then there is her apprentice. They do have an assistant who has taken midwifery courses.

I believe this is it for the area for homebirths.

 

[bradley method mom]

ahhhhhh,!!!!!!!!!!! only 12 births!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and she is going solo now?! no way. I mean yah she is on her way, but not for solo and "keep your legs crossed!!!!!!!!!, what ever!!!!!!!! sorry. no!!!!!!!!

what about going to the Farm in Tenn and birthing with the most familous midwives in the world. its only $1500 I think for the birth and you stay in this nice house that is the 'Labor house' Just for you and your family. on a really nice peice of land!!!!!!!!!! yo uhave to stay there 3 weeks prior to your due date

 

[MamaTaraX]

I'm actually considering the option of going ot The Farm for my birth in January. I'm going to talk to my DH about it.

Namaste, Tara

 

[Keeper]

The fact that she was an L&D nurse makes the 12 birth thing not so bad in my mind. More clarification on that is needed before I'm willing to say she's not experienced enough. As an apprentice, I plan on attending no less than 100 births with my preceptor before I take on clients as the primary midwife.

As for tearing, she shares the same views as my own preceptor. Suturing a small tear really does create more trauma to an area that will heal well without it. As long as the skin lays together well, my midwife will recommend aloe vera gel on a pad and keeping the legs together on first and second degree tears. She used to do more suturing, but has seen as good, if not better, results by doing it this way, with much less pain for moms.

Sarah

 

[bradley method mom]

ok I must have missed some of the info. a L&D nurse is ok.... I was thinking 12 births and that was it!

 

[RiceMomma]

I'm sorry- I certainly didn't mean to misrepresent the situation- I had meant to include that info in my original post. I cannot say how many births that includes. The number 12 came from her as she introduced herself. But still, to me, it seems like not a lot of experience and no other support, but at the same time, there is no other homebirth community here, so it's impossible for me to know what's common out there- thank goodness for sites like this. So I really don't know, that's why I came here to ask if this is potentially dangerous, especially with the VBAC mom. I guess I won't be so concerned about it- I mean, it really isn't any of my business what someone else knowingly chooses to do, but I wanted to make sure that important risks weren't being ignored.

I don't have an issue the non-repair of tears, I honestly had never heard of this, and am grateful for the info you all have shared, but my issue was her reaction to my surprise at this new bit of info. I couldn't help but think, Hm, that's something new, I wonder how all that works. I didn't appreciate the rolling eyes, the exasperated sighs, the condescending explanation from her, ya know?

Since I don't feel comfortable on a personal level, I won't be using her services. The Farm would be so cool if my husband could spare three + weeks. It's something to consider! Thanks for telling me about it.

 

[ellebelle]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiceMomma I asked about how they handle tears since I have torn for each of my births. She told me that you should probably go to the hospital and get stitches for a 4th degree tear, but other than that, just keep your legs together for 2 weeks.

Well, gee, what about 3rd degree lacerations? Boy, howdee, do those need to be repaired (with lots of followup to make sure that the bowels are soft enough to allow for full healing.) Anyone heard of fecal incontinence or rectocele? I will need a 2nd surgery to repair a problem from my first birth (3rd degree laceration - stitches tore due to constipation leading!)

Also, I had a friend who had a 2nd degree tear that was not repaired. It never healed properly. She had problems with pain during sex until she had another child (she said it was amazing that they did have another, lol!) and they did an extensive repair after that one was born.

"keep your legs together for 2 weeks?" How do you go to the bathroom if you keep your legs together? How do you pick up a toddler without killing your back?

Now I am all for conservative management of many problems, but as someone who is dealing with lifelong consequences, I think too little attention is paid to this area!

Getting down off my soap box and taking a deep breath.
Ellen
BCCE
Mom to Mark 11, Tom 9 and Meg (4)

 

[alegna]

[I am not a midwife etc, just a research junky and an natural birth advocate...]

Regarding not stitching tears.... from a lot of reading- I would also avoid stitching. In a hands-off homebirth (with no directed pushing) tearing will usually be minimal. I think it's best not to stitch anything that will hold together at all on its own. Personally I refused stitching after my birth- great decision. It was a strange tear and the midwives weren't quite sure how to stitch it anyway. I'd do the same again. Personally I think that's one of those things where many midwives try to be too medical. I think in most cases, most women if not bothered or directed to push will not tear in a way that needs to be stitched. It doesn't make sense that we would have evolved to NEED someone to sew us back together after birth- ya know?

stepping down off soap box...

-Angela