US ladies: use OB doc or midwife for first appt

[Dahlia2007]

Hello : )

My loss was in December. Went in for my 12 wk appointment and found out my baby had passed around 8-9 weeks. I had a D&C the next day. Now, I just got my BFP at 10 dpo, and today I'm 4 weeks.

I just scheduled my first appointment at the office for 7 wks and I chose the office midwife, and not one of the doctors. Do you think I should have chosen the doctor instead? at least for that initial appt because I had the D&C? Doctors have experience with MCs, and I don't believe midwives do

I really prefer the midwives for appointments because I feel they take more time with you.

Or does it not matter who I see?

 

[tazzae]

I would advise you to see the one you feel most comfortable with. Unless you've had multiple losses and/or anticipate complications, seeing the midwife should be fine.

 

[Dahlia2007]

Thanks for the response. I like the midwife, but as it turned out I was able to schedule the appointment with the doctor who performed my D&C, so I figured for the initial doctor visit it would be nice to see him and see what he says.

 

[DancingSheba]

i had a midwife with both my mc. and the second time around they didnt seem to be listening to me when i felt like i was miscarrying. so this time i am seeing a doctor. plus after the second miscarriage they referred me to a fertility specialist which my insurance didnt cover. but for people with uncomplicated pregnancies i think they are wonderful

 

[pixxie1232001]

I went through a midwife with both my children prior to the ectopic. With my ectopic I honestly didnt know I was pregnant and was just seeing her for normal gyno things and to switch birth control. Since my period was late she made me do labs and thats how we found out. The reason I am not going through her now is because she ignored all my symptoms of my ectopic. I had all the symptoms from day one and she never treated them or acted as though they were serious.

For that reason (and other health issues that came about while in their care) the OB that treated the ectopic is my OB now. She is very nice and understands my fear. To add to it midwifes here wont treat me now because I am considered a high risk and so even if I want to be with the midwife I wouldnt have the option.

 

[hopestruck]

This is an interesting thought. I've had similar questions. I went with midwives for both of my previous pregnancies (that both ended in M/C), and overall, I was pleased with their philosophy of care as well as their patience and understanding with my concerns.

HOWEVER, after the first miscarriage I would have really appreciated some measures of reassurance - serial beta-hcg tests, hormone and other blood tests, for example, and those were not offered. This is partly due to the fact that the only kind of blood tests midwives can request (in my province) are hcg betas. Yet, these were not offered to me. I also felt that my concerns about miscarrying again were being downplayed. I honestly wanted somebody to just take all my blood and do an ultrasound from the moment I got my positive HPT.

After that loss, I reconsidered and thought I'd like to see a doctor, at least for the early part of my care when there are the most concerns. Doctors are much more easily able to make referrals for tests and ultrasounds, and they do know more about reasons for loss and possible remedies (for losses that can be prevented, like ones caused from blot clotting disorders). That being said, I would much rather BIRTH with a midwife than with a doctor.

This time around, I'll be living in a city that, as far as I know, has no midwives. So that narrows down the option for me. haha.

 

[Dahlia2007]

I've been seeing the doctor who performed my D&C, but I think if I feel safe enough, I will start seeing the midwife in second trimester. Like above poster said, I would much rather give birth with a midwife. But right now the doctor is right for me. He has even scheduled me an U/S which is later today : ) He also specialized in high risk, which I am not, but it's good to know he has that specialty and way of thinking

 

[mamaduke]

For me, I had an OB the first time around, and she actually was great at helping me cope with my m/c. I was set on getting through it on my own, but she gave me some pills to start it. Probably one of the toughest things to go through and I kept blaming myself, but my OB mentioned that sometimes happen because they weren't meant to be. In my case, it was a chromosomal fault that gave me a baby without a yolk sac.

This time around, I stuck with the same OB, as I like how she handled me and my m/c. And at 38.5 weeks along, I have to say that I'm happy I stayed with her. She's just been great the whole time, giving me my options and reminding me of what I need to tackle before each milestone.

But if you have a MW that you're comfortable with, then go with that. This is totally a personal preference.