[mischievium]

Hi Seattle area folk!<br><br>
Does anyone have any experience with using midwives from either <a href="http://www.swedish.org/body.cfm?id=2084" target="_blank">Swedish</a>, <a href="http://uwmedicine.washington.edu/uwmed/Templates/content/uwmedicine_storyPeopleSummary.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID=%7BC2B3B310-B2EE-477B-80E0-432EC78D6581%7D&NRORIGINALURL=%2FPatientCare%2FMedicalSpecialties%2FSpecialtyCare%2FUWMEDICALCENTER%2FMICC%2FProviders%2F&NRCACHEHINT=Guest#nurse" target="_blank">UW Medical Center</a>, or <a href="http://www.birthcenter.com/" target="_blank">Puget Sound Birth Center</a>?<br><br>
As you can see from my ticker, I am newly pregnant and looking into my options. I'm leaning toward PSBC, but it means crossing a bridge (the 520 bridge specifically)-- which I will do, but I wanted to know if anyone had any experiences with midwives from any of these groups.<br><br>
Also, if you used the Swedish or UW Midwives-- how was the hospital part of it? Did you have to fight tooth and nail to have your wishes respected, or did you feel like the staff was somewhat used to dealing with clients that are birthing naturally? Were there birth tubs available? Were you able to have intermittent monitoring?<br><br>
If anyone has any other Seattle area midwives that you recommend, please chime in!<br><br>
Thank you!

 

[SalmonBayDoula]

She is a most fantastic certified nurse midwife who attends birth at home, birth centers and in the hospital (at Group Health, but you CAN NOT be a GH member...but other than GH, she takes most major insurance plans)<br><br><a href="http://www.midwifeseattle.com" target="_blank">www.midwifeseattle.com</a><br><br>
She books VERY fast! Call now and get on her calendar, then you can make changes later!<br><br>
Congratulations on your pregnancy!<br><br>
Sharon<br><br>
(She attends birth centers in Seattle, (seattle home maternity) and at the Puget Sound Birth Center in kirkland)

 

[Kirsten]

I LOVE PSBC!!!!! We used them for dd2 and dd3's births. AMAZING! Val Sasson was our midwife, and she is the most calming, professional yet warm, knowledgable, just all around wonderful to be around person ever!<br><br>
We had dd2 at the birth center there in Kirkland, but dd3 at home. Both were fabulous!<br><br>
I'd call and meet any and all midwives you are considering. One will just feel right to you.<br><br>
Congratulations! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Jane]

Congrats!<br><br>
I'd suggest a meet-and-greet will everyone, as Kirsten suggests. I personally love Andrea and Heike at PSBC - but it's all about fit with your midwife or midwives! You can try out the drive across the bridge.

 

[corrie_cat]

I also was interested in Cindie Brown as my midwife, but she just called me back to say she's not accepting new clients right now... ah well.<br><br>
I don't know about their affiliations with various hospitals and birthing centers (I plan to homebirth), but a friend who had a great homebirth last year highly recommends Michelle and Tracy: <a href="http://www.expectingthebest.net/midwives.htm" target="_blank">http://www.expectingthebest.net/midwives.htm</a> and I think I'm going to interview them next! Felice Barnow also comes recommended: <a href="http://www.snabc.com/about.html" target="_blank">http://www.snabc.com/about.html</a><br><br>
Also, someone posted this great resource the other day: <a href="http://www.greatstarts.org/articles_newsletter/SurveyResults.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.greatstarts.org/articles_...veyResults.pdf</a> - it compares the performance of the various local hospitals and midwives. A bit out of date but still really helpful.<br><br>
Good luck finding your midwife!