Who should I choose? Mid-Wife or Doctor?

Question

The tell me that a Dr. The mid-Wife might not be able to help if I need a last minute C-section. HELP I have a Dr's appt this Tuesday and will be meeting the Dr for the first time, I had been seen by the mid-wife so far.

Answer 1

It's totally up to you. Both have seen loads of pregnancies. Some prefer doctors because they have the resources of an entire hospital behind them in an emergency. But some midwives do, too. You might ask yours about what resources she has at her disposal in case of emergency.

But if you anticipate an uneventful pregnancy, you can make whichever decision suits you.

Congratulations, and good luck--

Answer 2

I have had seven kids. My first, third and fourth were all by the same midwife. The other 4 were from doctors. In my case my midwife was in a practice. I only seen her for the appointments, and I really liked her. She was MUCH more personal than any of the doctors and I think because the doctors go through sooo much training to be impersonal that it really shows the difference between the midwife and the doctor. I know my midwife was a nurse and to be honest probably knew just as much as the doctor did as far as my pregnancy goes. No, she cannot do c-sections and all that. In fact, she was supposed to deliver my second child but I had to have an emergency c-section and a on call doctor did that at the hospital.

I would have picked her for the rest of my children but she stopped doing midwifery so I had to go with the doctor. It really is a personal decision. I felt extrememly comfortable with my midwife. She didn't try to push certain things on me and I was even able to have epidurals and all that.

Good luck with your decision.

Answer 3

Just to clarify some of the things other people have said - I work in the birth world as a doula, and can tell you that certified nurse-midwives (CNM) are the exact same thing as OB's - they had to become nurses first, then go on to midwifery school, still doing residencies at local hospitals and taking the same courses as doctors. They can order an epidural for you (from the anesthesia department in the hospital), or provide other drugs for pain relief. The only thing a midwife can not do is surgery (such as a c-section). CNM's work with an OB back-up and they usually ask you to have at least one appointment with the doctor so you can at least meet him/her if you do end up needing a c-section. A midwife will spend more time with you at prenatal appointments, and be more inclined to give you choices throughout the birth. CNM deliver at hospitals, some will do homebirths.

Do midwives lean more towards the natural route of childbirth? The answer is yes, most of them do, because they view birth as being a natural event that the woman's body was designed for, not viewing it as something the medical profession needs to "save" women from, like OB's usually see birth. But a midwife also understands that some women want drugs to help them cope through labor, and are happy to give the woman what she needs in order to have a positive birth experience.

A lay midwife is something different. She is a person who has been trained in birth by another senior midwife, or just by attending lots of births and gaining experience. They do not have hospital privileges or nursing degrees, so they would only attend a home birth as long as you understand they are not in the medical profession.

Good luck, and I'd personally stick with the midwife! Having a midwife also lowers your chances of needing a c-section because they know many tricks to help with labor!

Answer 4

Midwives cannot perform c-sections or administer epidurals. Only doctors and anesthesiologists can do that. You should do some local research--a lot of times OB/GYN practices have both doctors and midwives who work there and have hospital privileges. If you really feel you want a midwife I'd find one affiliated with a doctor's office so you can meet all the doctors first--that way, if there is a complication or emergency, you will know the doctor and the doctor will have seen you at least once during your pregnancy.

Answer 5

I know a woman who had her baby with a midwife in the hospital. It was a vbac so she had to be in a hospital in case the need for a c-section arose there would be a doctor nearby for surgery. If you really like your midwife you might see if that is an option for you. Otherwise, see if you like the doctor. See if he thinks you are at any risk for an abnormal delivery in this pregnancy. Most of all, trust your gut. Whatever you feel is best after evaluating everything should be what you do. Good Luck!

Answer 6

I think the possibly of a c-section is always scarey... but neither a midwife or a doctor preform them. Here's your honest pro's and con's (I've personally had both)
Doctors aren't as dead against the use of pain medication, midwifes tend to be pro-natural.....
Midwives spend more of the actual labor with you... doctors tend to come in here and there...
To be honest, I would stay with whomever you are comfortable with now because when it comes to labor, the labor nurses are completely the backbone of your entire experience... They are completely hands on, compassionate... I think they are lifesavers!

Answer 7

Are they in the same practice? If they are it does not matter because if you need a c-section the doctor can jump in and perform it for you. If they are not in the same practice and the mid wife is on her own with no doctor I would stick with the M.D. so you can build a relationship with that person.

Answer 8

I am thinking of midwives for myself right now. I live close to the hospital and can get there quickly if something should go wrong... I am not sure

Answer 9

i think DR will be good if you need any thing but maid-wife not the same .you will be always if i had DR that make you over stress so to be safe any time make it with DR

Answer 10

Doctor ... I'll take someone with years of medical school, residency and experience over a layperson any time.