Poll to get my mind off things OB vs Midwive

[Mrs. Darcy]

I've already made an appt with an OB but I was wondering who has used a midwife instead of an OB.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I've already made an appt with an OB but I was wondering who has used a midwife instead of an OB.

I went with an OB all three times with no regrets, especially since I ended up with three c-sections. I would have ended up at the hospital anyway.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I've already made an appt with an OB but I was wondering who has used a midwife instead of an OB.

I've never given birth so don't listen to me but my friend swears that her doula was awesome.

 

[Piecey]

OB.

I loved my OB. I think what matters the most is that you are comfortable with them.

I was induced at 39 weeks with DS1, due to issues with my gallbladder. I labored 16 hours, pushed for 1.5 and she never left me. After her practice closed she never left the maternity floor, even when the on call OB came in to deliver another baby she stayed for me. I ended up in a c-section and she was still with me at midnight. I loved her and was impressed, she didn't have to stay.

She delivered DS2 14 months later...(4 months ago).

 

[bunkkinsmom]

I honestly think it depends. Interview both. I used midwives out of an OB's office for my first two, and an OB for my last. I LOVED my OB on the last one, but it's because he's ex-military and doesn't drool over me. I mean I was in no mood to be coddled, let's just get it done. I had one midwife that was all business but very friendly, and I adore her. My second midwife was very "new age", and I couldn't be further from that. So that was odd. However, she did make me do something I didn't want to that turned out really cool! When my son passed his shoulders, she told me to reach down and pull him out. I can't even tell you how repulsed I was by the thought of that. But hubby was like "Do it, that's awesome!" So I did. And it's a bond I swear we still have (he's 6) I say go with who you like the best. In my experience, there was absolutely no difference in the procedures, I was at the hospital all 3 times, and had epidurals with all of them. CONGRATS by the way!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I Used an Ob, then a midwife. Loved the midwife better.

Then there were no more midwives. A fab OB was recommended to me. A friend said he was the next best thing to a midwife. Used him twice. LOVED him. He didn't intervene until it was medically necessary or you asked.

My son was my only spontaneous labor that progressed. My water didn't break until 8cm. Prior to that noone mentioned anything about AROM. Loved that.

With my last breech...he knew I wanted to avoid a c-section and did what he could to make sure I did. She was sideways and I was the perfect candidate for a version. (typically not an option available to first time moms though). Anyway...the things he said to comfort me that he wasn't a doc who intervened because he wanted to...I just love him.


Anyway---to me, it isnt so much choice of one type or another, but that you find someone who suits you.

My OB was solo, so that was another thing I liked. I was getting him unless he was on vacation. This time that was 2 weeks after my edd. He did get a partner after that. He did tell me that the guy was similar in philosophy and bedside manner.


You just have to find someone you trust and after 4 babies, I can tell you that you should go with your instinct.

My midwife was wonderful, but so was my last OB.

Not all midwives are great (I've heard some horror stories) and not all OB's are ate to stirrup you up, drug you, and then at 2cm decide that the 1 hr of labor is too long for your otherwise healthy baby before they slap you on the operating table so they don't miss tee time.


Have an idea of how you envision giving birth and go with who meets your ideal.

Be prepared that the goal is a healthy baby! So what you want in a delivery, may not be what actually happens and that is okay.

Often, midwives do deliver in hospitals, they do "allow" epidurals in the hospital births, and in many cases there is an on-call OB available to step in if a c-section were to become necessary.


I do reCommend a doula! They are wonderful. (they are not baby catchers though)

 

[Handbag Lady]

I'm just chiming in again, you know the one who has not been pregnant. I would want to NOT do it naturally and would want every drug under the sun. So, if ever a miracle happens, I would want to find a doctor who was very hands on and isn't afraid of block or whatever those are called.

I think Lisa hit the nail on the head in finding someone that matches your idea of a perfect birth.

 

[PebblesMom]

I was very happy with my OB and if I were to ever have more babies I would go back to him. With my first I was in labor 12 hours and pushed for 1 and my OB was great. Then I had my second and I was in labor for about 40 minutes and because he came so fast my OB almost missed the event . I did not get an epidural the second time around and it was a very different birth, same OB, same hospital but two very different experiences. Both times I really don't remember the OB being there very much, just during the actual delivery. Both times the people who I relied on and who were the most helpful were the nurses. I think in the end it should be about who you are most comfortable with. I was very comfortable with my OB, but honestly with my second he could have not been there and I would have not known the difference because the nurses were so amazing.

 

[AKL_Megs]

OB for me. Too many things could go wrong. I want a HOSPITAL sand a DOCTOR. Of course, this is my own opinion.

 

[dreamer03]

I had a midwife with my first two children and throughout the pregnancy for my third. She just wasnt able to deliver because he was breech. I loved working with her. She was in the delivery room with me durinn my c-section as well. She did my follow up care with all three children. I did deliver all three children at the hospital just in case something went wrong. She was very soothing and caring. I enjpyed my experience to the fullest.
With my first child, she brought in a slow cooker filled with warm towels and a squirt bottle with olive oil. I was expecting some sort of meal but these were just a few of her pain coping techniques. It was wonderful. I had no drugs and minimal pain. She never had to cut due to the fact that I relaxed. I would reccommend a midwife to anyone.

 

[indimom]

I had an OB for both, but wouldn't have minded using a midwife if one had been available/convenient. We just live too far out in the sticks.

 

[Janet Hill]

I used a physician/midwife practice. All deliveries at the hospital and if all goes well midwife does it all. Complications, well then the OB steps in. First two pregnancies, all went well - deliveries by midwife no drugs. My last pregnancy, it was a good thing it was a hospital based delivery or I probably wouldn't have my youngest daughter. Things went south very quickly and I had an emergency C-section and baby was in NICU for 2 days.

I like all natural childbirth and believe women have been doing it for thousands of years so in nearly all cases no real medical intervention is necessary, but I really like a good back up plan.

 

[mhsjax]

I want anyone who will give me drugs. I don't care how women did it years ago, I don't care that we have been giving birth for thousands of years. I require drugs. WE did a lot of things back in the dark ages that we don't do now. Why would I suffer if I don't have to.

Now, I have no problem what so ever with women who do natural, but no way would I do it, and didn't do it with any of my 3. I had no bad reactions and the babies had no adverse reactions. Love the epidural and the person that invented it, is a saint.

 

[Robinrs]

As a parent who had birth issues with both of my pregnancies, I would definitely lean towards whatever is best for the baby's health. Both of my sons had neonatal problems, only one survived. Do everything you can to bring your baby home, not what's in or interesting, just what will work.

 

[lspst8]

I started with and OB practice for this pregnancy, but switched to to their associated midwife practice when I was about 5 or 6 months along. I was not at all comfortable with the OB practice becasue they kept me waiting for up to 90 minutes for my appointments and hardly spent any time with me while i was there. So, I'd wait for 90 minutes to be seen for about 3 minutes. There were also about 7 doctors in the group and, while some of them were great, you couldn't pick a main doctor and whoever was on duty would be delivering your baby.

Now, the midwives I'm using are really great. There are only 2 of them, and my appointments are always right on time. They also take the time to answer all of my, and my DH's, questions.

They also deliver at a hospital (they don't do home births at all) and believe in using medications if you so desire. they don't even push natural labor at all -- they are all about making you feel most comfortable. Plus, their C-section rate is only 10%. I'd say the only thing that they really stress is breastfeeding over formula, which I plan on doing anyway.

i would highly recommend meeting with both OBs and midwives to see what ou like best. And, if you aren't happy after a month or two, don't be afraid to switch to someone you like better. I'm so happy I decided to switch offices.

 

[mtemm]

I went with an OB for my first and I loved her. she was wonderful! we moved before my second pregnancy, so when I got pg that I decided to go with a midwife (wanted to vbac, my first had been a c-section and from research found a midwife would be helpful). I loved her and had a great experience with her, well, for the first 16 weeks of my pregnancy. then I found out I was carrying twins and wasn't able to continue with her. I ended up switching to a peri (high risk ob) and had a very good experience.

I think finding an ob/midwife/practice that is a good fit for you is so important. I found my first ob by asking around and she got raves from everyone. I could see why, she (and her practice) were awesome.

good luck!!!!!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

OB for all 3 of mine and enjoyed my epidural for all 3 as well. Interview several of each and find one that you feel comfortable with and go with that person. Be aware though that the chances of that person delivering depend on how their practice runs the after hours on call schedule. I had 2 out of 3 of my OBs deliver. Missed having my OB deliver the 3rd one by 12 hours because he wasn't the one on call.

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

I honestly think it depends. Interview both. I used midwives out of an OB's office for my first two, and an OB for my last. I LOVED my OB on the last one, but it's because he's ex-military and doesn't drool over me. I mean I was in no mood to be coddled, let's just get it done. I had one midwife that was all business but very friendly, and I adore her. My second midwife was very "new age", and I couldn't be further from that. So that was odd. However, she did make me do something I didn't want to that turned out really cool! When my son passed his shoulders, she told me to reach down and pull him out. I can't even tell you how repulsed I was by the thought of that. But hubby was like "Do it, that's awesome!" So I did. And it's a bond I swear we still have (he's 6) I say go with who you like the best. In my experience, there was absolutely no difference in the procedures, I was at the hospital all 3 times, and had epidurals with all of them. CONGRATS by the way!

just had to comment on this, I did the same thing with my last baby and it was incredible, the most amazing feeling! I had an OB with the first two and a midwife for the third, but there were slight complications and an OB actually ended up delivering her, but the midwife was still there with me. My advice would be to interview several OBs and midwives to find one who matches your views on childbirth. Good luck and congratulations!

 

[U2_rocks!]

I used an OB for my first and midwives for my second and third. Loved the midwives way better!

My ideal birth situation is a hospital wing that is a homey birthing centre where you can labor and give birth however you want (I loved my 2 water births) and are attended by midwives unless otherwise indicated i.e. an OB will be available to consult during the pregnancy if any issues arise, and will be on call at all times at the hospital in case of birthing issues. To me that satisfies the 2 main requirements of comfort and safety. I truly believe that we are more like animals than we realize in that we need to feel comfortable and not stressed when it's time to give birth, like dogs and cats seek to do by instinct. If we could all make our birth choices that were fully supported by a system that had technology available but not shoved down anyone's throat, and procedures were determined by real need instead of potential liability, I truly believe that childbirth (and newborns' health) could improve significantly.

I do realize that I am an idealist when it comes to this. Some lucky people have facilities close to this, but most of us don't - we have to choose high-technology scary hospital procedures or low-tech relaxing midwife-supported experience. I did both and the babies born in water with a midwife were in much better "condition" when they emerged, and I was in much better condition after the birth. In a "normal" scenario (and in hindsight) it was clearly the better choice for us. But I am aware that had things gone wrong we would not have been as ideally placed, as we would have had to transport 10 minutes to the hospital. I was comfortable with that, though, because our hospital isn't the best, and chances are we would have had to wait at least 10 minutes in the hospital anyway. The choice to go midwife is easier if you don't have a state of the art hospital that can fix just about anything - you risk doesn't really change all that much stepping down to midwife.

 

[golfgal]

A Certified Nurse Midwife (BA in nursing, masters in midwifery) works in conjunction with an OB practice-this isn't the "country midwife attending a homebirth" that a lot of you are referring to. In fact, in most states if a Certified Nurse Midwife attended a homebirth she would lose her license.

I had OB's for both pregnancies but I have also seen a midwife for my routine GYN care. They were all good. I would have used a midwife if one were available for the pregnancies. When I was pregnant with the twins though, I would have been transferred to an OB because a twin pregnancy is considered "high risk". The main difference is that a midwife generally has more time during appointments to spend with you. If you have ANY complications, they will call in the OB and it is very possible that your midwife won't be the one delivering your baby in that case, if that matters to you. Even with an OB, most practices these days you get which ever dr is on call when you go into labor.