Midwife or Doctor? What did you choose?

[NewMama2012]

I'm trying to decide which would be better.

Currently I'm going to a maternity clinic which feels so....uhm....like you're just a number and a paycheque if you know what I mean?

I'm curious how many people chose midwives over doctors or vice versa and reasons why. Since this is my first pregnancy I am so overwhelmed with choices and any experiences that you can share would be sooooo appreciated! =)

 

[IrishGirl]

Hey hun.Im not to sure about Canada but in Ireland we have a choice called "combined care"Its where we choose to share our visits between them both.We did it withour DD and found it superWe are also doing it with this lil Shamrockxx

 

[bananaz]

I'll be seeing a doctor and having the birth in a hospital, though I am hoping for minimal interventions and as "natural" a delivery as possible. I'm guessing that if I got into the specifics of why I'm not comfortable with a CPM it would probably start a small war lol. Suffice it to say that were complications to arise I would feel much more confident in the skills and training of someone who has completed medical school and residency.

 

[Leids]

I was hoping to go with a midwife but due to being high risk (heart issues) I've had to go with an ob. I'm hoping for as natural as I possibly can as well, but my biggest not-want is a c-section unless I have no option. I would have preferred the relaxed atmosphere of doing it at a birthing center with a midwife but it is what it is!

 

[NewMama2012]

I'm such a paranoid person that I think a doctor is probably the best option for me but this maternity centre that I've been going to just doesn't give me a good feeling...and I'm not sure what to do because its the only one in my area and I can't find a family doctor! AH!

 

[Vickie]

I wanted to go with a MW this time but it was to far to travel to by bus and since I've found out we're having twins the choice has been taken away from me really as I'm going to be referred to a specialist (twins are automatically considered a high risk pregnancy). I'm not sure if MW's would have dealt with me or not but I figure with all of these extra appointments anyways I need to have any doctor I see within an easily reachable distance

I've heard great things about MW care though!

 

[dreams_of_bfp]

I felt most comfortable with a midwife because although a docter has completed many years of school and residency, only a couple months of hose many years were spent of obstetrics. Whereas with Midwivery, they spend their entire 4 years of training in obstetrics. Soooo, in my opinion, they are kind of like specialists when it comes to low risk pregnancy and birth.
That's why I choose midwife!

 

[Wantingbbbump]

I wanted to use a midwife and have this baby at home because I hate people telling me what to do with my baby. It's even worse when they try and tell you what you can't do. I have always used a OB and just wanted the time in labor in my home with my kids and family helping out but due to me being high risk ( history of preterm labor) I have no choice but to use a ob and go to the mother and baby unit. I am really sad about having to deal with nurses saying when baby should eat and don't sleep with baby. Um it's my baby leave me alone. I love my OB that I have now because he is also my normal Dr. I have told him that I want to be left alone NOT pushed into a epidural or drugs, that I want to labor in the tub and that I want it to be just like I was laboring at home. He said that he would make sure that I get what I want. Good luck in choosing!!

 

[Dorian]

The clinic I go to has an OB Dr, and two midwives. Thruout your whole pregnancy, you see each of them at least once, so that they get to know you a little bit. But you can always prefer to see one or the other.

This is my fifth pregnancy, fourth baby that I will be having thru this clinic. And I just LOVE the midwives! Well, one in particular, although the other one is very nice too.

The MW I really like though is so very cool. She basically just stands back and lets dh do all he can when I'm birthing. Dh catches baby, and cuts the cord etc. Its very nice. And MW if there in case something goes wrong/etc.

I really think it has more to do with the type of person the DR/MW is. I know the Dr in my clinic is also very nice.

 

[momof2babies]

if no big medical problems go with midwife they are way more relaxed during labor (but if something big happens don't worry they won't hesitate to call the doc on call)

 

[NewMama2012]

Thanks ladies for all your opinions!

 

[bellahoney]

Im getting a midwife and requesting a home birth. I feel more comfortable with a midwife instead of a ob. I want to go with someone that makes me feel they are as excited as we are to have this baby. Op you should youtube 'the business of, being born'

 

[JadeEmChar]

I didn't get a choice because of my BMI but I'm hoping to have a HB

 

[bananaz]

I felt most comfortable with a midwife because although a docter has completed many years of school and residency, only a couple months of hose many years were spent of obstetrics.

That's not really true, at least not in the United States. Doctors who don't go into obstetrics only receive a few months of training on it during medical school rotations, but OB/GYNs spend their four-year residencies after medical school working 80+ hours a week exclusively in obstetrics and gynecology.

 

[Sew_Sweet]

I am in the US and I got to an OBGYN. Midwives are not that common of a choice where I am from though it seems to be the main choice in other countries. I feel safer with a doctor - in a hospital. I could care less about bedside manor, having any type of relationship with them or my perception of whether they care about me or not as long as I feel the people know what they are doing and they have an epidural and whatever other pain meds they can dig up standing by. Natural?? Um hell no - no thanks.

SO it's just really the type of experience you want. If you are the touchy feely type and you want to feel that the professional helping you is truly invested and don't have any serious complications forseen, a midwife might be your choice. If you are more comfortable giving birth in a hospital where drugs and NICU are right there with you or feel more comfortable with an actual doctor then go for an OB.

 

[Sew_Sweet]

I felt most comfortable with a midwife because although a docter has completed many years of school and residency, only a couple months of hose many years were spent of obstetrics.

That's not really true, at least not in the United States. Doctors who don't go into obstetrics only receive a few months of training on it during medical school rotations, but OB/GYNs spend their four-year residencies after medical school working 80+ hours a week exclusively in obstetrics and gynecology.

That's true. This would only be the case with like small town or what we call "family" doctors who also happen to deliver babies because - they are the only option around. OB's are trained as their specialty in obstetrics as well as being actual medical doctors.

 

[lizzywiz]

I'm is the USA, but where I am midwives are the norm and work at the hospitals and birth centers, so either way I will be seeing a midwife. I could request an OB, but I feel more comfortable with midwives. There is always an OB on call, so I feel pretty safe.

FYI- Where I live, there are Certified Nurse Midwives and Licensed Midwives. Certified Nurse Midwives get their normal nursing license, + a masters's degree specializing in midwifery, so a total of 6 years of college. Licensed midwives are apprenticed- they learn on the job, so to speak, and are less trained in the medical model. Both are good, just different, and I prefer CNMs (who are more common anyway).