Debster Posted March 7, 2005 Share Posted March 7, 2005 Hi all, My husband and i are seriously talking about getting pregnant. However, we live in a city where there is a massive shortage of doctors. I am currently on two waiting lists but I'm afraid of putting everything on hold as I'm already 32. One option I've heard is to use a midwife as your healthcare advisor. Has anyone had a midwife or heard positive or negative experiences? Link to post Share on other sites
tiki Posted March 7, 2005 Share Posted March 7, 2005 I've heard ALL positives. . I can't offer any more info than that though, sorry. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Debster Posted March 7, 2005 Author Share Posted March 7, 2005 Thanks for responding, Tiki. I must admit it does make me nervous at the thought of not having a doctor monitoring me. Especially since I have asthma. Luckily the doctor I had before we moved will still see me, but it is over an hour away - so it is not easy to go for a quick checkup as I have to take the day off work. I'm thinking I'll see the doctor for asthma meds and major check ups and have the midwife for typical pregnancy checkups, prenatal care, etc. Link to post Share on other sites
SoleMate Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 I was under midwife care for both of my pregnancies. The second one was 100% midwife care and homebirth - no doctor involved at any time. The statistics show that midwife care is safer and has better maternal and child outcomes, for matched populations, compared to physician/hospital care. That may seem odd at first, but is easier to understand when you realize: * Certified nurse midwives are well trained to monitor pregnant women and detect any possible complication developing (both orenatally and during labor) * Midwives do not use aggressive interventions to start or speed labor (many OBs are clockwatchers and will give oxytocin and do C-sections just so they can get home) * Midwives give much more personalized, in-depth care (e.g. each prenatal visit is 45 minutes to an hour, vs. 2 - 10 minutes with an OB) * Midwives are expert in labor support, and will take the time to sit with you and help you labor at your own body's pace Please do some reading of the controlled trials of midwifery care. It's the best - I wouldn't go any other way unless I had severe chronic illness or marked maternal or fetal pathology, which necessitates a medicalized birth. Happy birthing!! Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 a couple of years ago, I saw Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife by Peggy Vincent in the book rack at the library and was drawn by the cover. Nope, I've never had kids, but the subject of midwifery was intriguing (a friend from grade school had her little ones delivered by a midwife, I'd heard from mutual friends) and the book seemed to be written in a easy-to-understand style, so I borrowed it. Vincent talks about her experience of midwifing for nearly 2 decades, and her stories are amazing. She put to rest fears or concerns pregnant moms may have had by explaining that each woman's body has it's own way -- each pregnancy -- of how to do this very natural thing of birthing a baby. A lot of what she writes makes sense (it's common sense stuff) when it comes to having babies, and I think you'd get a lot of your questions answered if you read it. You may change your mind about going with a midwife, but Vincent's book will give you a whole new insight about the experience. check with the hospital and ask around about recommended midwives in your area and interview them. I think that relationship is just like with any health care provider: you'll know when you've got the "right" one because you feel comfortable with that person. hope this helps some! Link to post Share on other sites
Author Debster Posted March 14, 2005 Author Share Posted March 14, 2005 Thanks for the responses. I'm actually ok with the idea of a midwife and my husband is also comfortable with this - after he did some research. However, my father is very nervous and against the idea. It could be because he is a retired doctor/specialist. Any one else have to deal with this? Link to post Share on other sites
Beth Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 Educate your father on the benefits too, he may have some good questions that you won't think of, and hopefully it will help him to feel better and more secure about it. I understand his concern, You are His baby! Link to post Share on other sites
blind_otter Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 With my last pregnancy I had a midwife who was great, I loved her -- she was a lot more compassionate, understanding, and hell -- she gave me better advice than the OB I had the first time I was preggo. But now I am too high risk (with the epilepsy and my 2 miscarriages, so I have to have an OB now) Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts