Anyone using a Midwife?

[ZoeMum]

I just called Durham Midwives and set up to go to their information group session. Apparently after you go to that they assign you a midwife and your first appointment isn't until the 12th week! Anyone else going the midwife route? If so, would love to keep in touch about our experiences.

 

[Samantha675]

I am using a midwife here in Austin TX. I have already seen my midwife 3times. The first appointment was her introduction to me. She told me all about her experience and philosophy. The second was going over all the paper work and such. The third was a physical exam, and loads of questions. I have an appointment last next week for my 12 week check up. I will then see her ever month till the end and I forget how often I see her then.

My midwife has been delivering babies for 33 years, and is THE midwife to having in Austin. She even delivered a friend's husband. I think she is a bit of a nutter, but I totally trust that she will do the best for me and my baby. I never thought I would want to do a home birth, but the more research I have done, them more I am looking forward to it.

 

[PitBullMommy]

I SO wish I could use a midwife and have a home birth. I'm jealous!

 

[Linzi]

Well it was my doctor that referred me to my midwife and I saw her when I was 7 weeks. Shes based at the surgery. Im not considering a home birth though and shes NHS, so that might be the difference? I dont know.

 

[marley2580]

In the UK it is standard to have a midwife, doctors don't play a roll beyond referring you unless there is a problem with the pregnancy or the birth. My understanding is that in the US midwives don't really play a roll unless you pay for one. In fact I heard that in some US states it is actually illegal to practice as a midwife and everything is done by doctor and maternity nurses, though I could be wrong about this.

 

[Holldoll]

I don't know of any states where it's actually illegal, but there are quite a few hospitals that won't allow them to practice there. My hospital won't. My OBs wife is a midwife and she practices with him and she comes to the hospital as a doula instead of a midwife, but pretty much does what she would do as a midwife and then her husband comes and "catches" the baby.

 

[clairebear]

im waiting for my first midwife appointment in the uk i cant wait . xxx

 

[Samantha675]

Midwifes in the US are not the norm at all. Most go through a OB/Gyn for the prenatal care. I choose to go the midwife route because I want to approach my birth as a natural process, not a problem to be fixed. I don't want to be induced, I don't want pitocin and I don't want an epidural.

 

[ZoeMum]

I'm lucky enough to be in Ontario, Canada, midwifery is fully covered through our provincial health care. I'm suddenly feeling very VERY appreciative of our health care system (thank you for reminding me not to take it for granted). I don't think it's quite the norm here, but definately gaining in popularity. I've always wanted to go that route, not necessarily a home birth, I'm not sure my hubby could handle that much stress! Midwives have hospital privilages here though, so we can have all the gadgets that hospitals have to offer as well as the personal, natural approach of the midwife. She could even give me an epidural if I requested one! Am I crazy to want to try au natural? Probably.

 

[Firsttimer]

I have only seen my midwife once to do my introduction and fill out my book. I dont see her again untill i am 22 weeks and 2 days

 

[Firsttimer]

Oh yer and she took 3 lil bottle of blood from me I was so nervous but thought I have to go through with it as Labour will be 10000000000000 times worst lol