Midwives vs obgyn

[maddy1]

Hello Ladies,

I am a first time mom and have no idea about this. I have the option of going to an office with an OBGYN, a PA and 3 midwives, they have ok reviews. From my understanding you see them all at one point or the other. and their office is located in a larger hospital. My second option is an OB-gyn with a private clinic and only delivers at one hospital, her reviews are great tho.

I am so confused as I have never been in this position. whats the difference btwn midwives and ob's, pros/cons. I need some help to choose so I can set up my appointment.

I like the fact that the first option will have more availability since they staffed, but then I am coming from seeing an RE (reproductive endocrinologist) and like the one on one relationship and trust you end up forming.

thanks in advance!

 

[Nikko88]

My doctor's office offers all as well although if you are low risk you get a midwife (actually you see all of them in a rotation) to start out. My husband found the midwives a little talking and more new age-y for his liking. I liked the more hands one less formal doctor approach.

I had an uncomplicated birth. There was tearing that they had to call in a surgeon to fix. But I was overall pleased with my experience and didn't feel I missed out on anything by not having an doctor doctor.

 

[ChickenMommy]

My vote goes for midwife.

I had an ob with my first, was scared into a csection and they were very pushy and scare tactic-y while I was pregnant.

Had a PA with my second, only saw the ob when I had to sign my vbac forms. My PA was nice enough, but still very pushy and "this is the way we HAVE to do things". I felt like she didn't trust me to trust my body. The ob I saw for 1 appointment (vbac forms) was incredibly rude, scare tactic-y, didn't trust me or my body. She pretty much straight up told me I wasn't going to be allowed to attempt a vbac if certain "criteria" were met.

This time I actually had the option and pleaded for a midwife. She's AMAZING! Very gentle, informative. And she's all for compromise instead of the "my way or the highway bs my other docs gave me.

I feel like midwives are more apt to trust you, trust your body, trust the birthing process. Being pregnant isn't a medical emergency, it's a natural part of life that's been happening for years and years and years, and I feel like midwives "get" that. Where as ob docs (who are trained in csections) look at pregnancy as a medical condition/emergency. Just my 2 cents. The Business of Being Born is a pretty eye opening documentary if you're interested. I learned a lot after having my first and I only wish I knew it sooner.

 

[CVR1986]

In the UK all antenatal care and delivery is provided by midwives unless high risk or any problems.

 

[Scout]

It will depend on the person. I had an OB who worked in a practice all by himself, with one nurse. I got to know everyone there and they were all so friendly and nice, and I liked that over a larger practice I had been to before.

My OB was absolutely wonderful too. He had an ultrasound machine in his office and would scan me anytime I wanted....and I mean, anytime! He was very personable and let me make all my decisions, and never pushed me one way or the other. He was a bit talkative though and appointments ran long bc he enjoyed talking baby names and such. I just loved him to death.

I was fortunate though bc I've heard terrible things about other OBs. I never had a midwife so can't comment there. I was high risk so I had both an OB and a perinatologist. My perinatologist was just as personable and sweet as my OB. I will say, however, that I much prefer the smaller practice, and absolutely hated the large practice. I felt I got lost and nobody knew me. It's really nice to walk into an office and have everyone, from the receptionist, nurse and billing person, say hi Scout, how are you today and general chit chat. That never happened at the larger practice.

Good luck! And congratulations!

 

[minties]

I really enjoy that we use midwives in New Zealand. My grandma thinks they are filthy old ladies with blood stained towels and coat hangers for performing terminations...I tell her she reads too many trashy novels!

You can pay to have an OB here instead but I can't see any benefit. Midwives train for many years, prescribe medications, are available 24/7 by text, call or email, you have the one person through pregnancy birth and 6 weeks afterwards. You choose how you birth and they are there to support that choice.

Because I've had an emergency c-section and previous gestational diabetes, I get to see an OB at the hospital for a consultation and OMG are they stiff or what! It's all about numbers and treating pregnancy like an illness.

 

[MrsKatie]

For me it's a no-brainer: midwife all the way!

 

[laila 44]

Omg I adore my OB! Don't think I'd go any other way! I've had so many complications that only he was able to catch bc he also has ultrasound machines in his office and is a specialist in maternal fetal medicine. I'm a control freak so I need to know I'm in the care of a physician, even though mw seem great I'm just much more comfortable with an OB. My dr also has a lab in his office where all blood tests are done on the spot and results available ASAP. Very personalized prenatal care and he works with 3 nurses who are his right hands. Always available with over 40 years experience and renound in the field. Love this man!!

 

[addie140910]

I am seeing an actual medical doctor with this pregnancy. You see the same doctor throughout the entire pregnancy and she delivers you as well. I have had two miscarriages and two complicated pregnancies. It took an actual OBGYN doctor to diagnose my problems with my son. (Our blood was mixing and my liver was not functioning properly.) So it seems after all i've been through it is better to just go with a OBGYN straight from the start this time now that I have a choice.

I saw midwifes with both of my previous pregnancies before getting transferred to an OBGYN and my 1st miscarriage. With the acceptation of one they were very rude, pushy, and demanding. They did not trust me and in return I did not trust them.

(We were an Army family, and with the Army insurance you are automatically sent to a midwife first and only sent to an OBGYN if you are high risk. You see a different person every time depending on who is on duty and whoever is on call is who delivers your baby.)