When you were pregnant did you use a midwife or Ob? If you are pregnant now, which are you using? If you have used both, which did you have the best experience with?
2007-03-23 17:48:59 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Just thought I'd add:
I'm not pregnant. It is very doubtful that I wll ever use a midwife because I will always be considered high-risk. I've heard stories and just wanted more feedback of the better experiences.
2007-03-23 17:56:00 · update #1
I have had both, an ob and a midwife for this pregnancy. Currently I have a midwife because I moved 2 and half hours away so I had to switch my prenatal care. Both have been absolutely fantastic. My midwife is beyond intelligent and knows her stuff just like how my ob was. The midwife is much more persistant than my ob was, when she wants things done, she wants them done right then and there. Which is excellent! So I guess I can't really say either one was better, both were excellent at what they do.
p.s.-just to respond to someone else's response......my midwife is in the hospital I go to.......a lot of midwives work in the hospital!
2007-03-24 03:09:39 · answer #1 · answered by shontai 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I used a bit of both - I visited my ob for all the lead up but he was only going to be called if things went very wrong during delivery but in the end I had only a midwife there.
I adored my midwife - she was very supportive and understanding with me being a first time mum and even worked a double shift to stay with me when my labour went on for hours and hours. I think I was lucky though and I have heard of horrible midwives who try to tell you how to do things and/or are just plain rude.
I guess I just left it up to fate to decide who was going to be there but if you have a ob who is fantastic and havent met a midwife who you feel comfortable with or vise versa, then go with the one who you think will be the most supportive of your decisions (I had a midwife in the post natal ward tell me off for having an epi!).
In the end you need to be happy with the people in the room because its not something you can change ur mind about at the very last minute.
Good Luck with whatever you decide and I hope ur delivery is as good an experience as it can be :o)
2007-03-24 01:00:19 · answer #2 · answered by karma_au_1984 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a military wife. I use a midwife now, and before that I was using an OB. I actually felt better with an OB doctor. I felt that maybe they know a little bit more. That's just my opinion. The only reason I am still with a midwife is military feels you need to, unless having complications.
2007-03-24 00:55:45 · answer #3 · answered by Amanda R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When i was pregnant with my son i went to a real doctor. Sorry but a midwife is not a doctor and there is no way i would risk dying or something go wrong and not be in a place (hospital) where something could be done.
What if you needed an emergency c-section and your at home in the bed with a midwife there, what's she gonna do? Call 911 and it will take a bit to get to the hospital or what if something is wrong with the baby those few minutes could mean life or death and what is a midwife going to do? Dial 911. That is why i would never use a midwife.
I am currently pregnant again (Due in December) and i choose to go to an Ob/Gyn like before with my son.
The death rate for babies born in the hospital was 5.6 and for those born at home was 11.1, which would seem to indicate that a hospital is a better bet for a baby's survival.
http://www.aplusarticles.net/article/hom...
2007-03-24 01:41:55 · answer #4 · answered by ஐ♥Julian'sMommy♥ஐ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I had both with my first pregnancy. My doctor was a male, need I say more. I had to be enduced and went in at 7:30am. Midwife took over at 9pm. She said why are we going so slow on the pitocin and sped up the process so I was done by 7:33am. I think if we would of left it up to the "Male" Doctor, I would probably still be in there trying to get my kid out!!! (just kidding) But it really is to each his own. Sometimes you can find a great midwife that you feel comfortable with, then you might not! I was with Kaiser and really had no choice which I was to meet when I had check ups, but if I had to pick I would take the midwife over a male doctor, they can relate to you over the man who has never had a child. Example: PAIN
2007-03-25 14:42:16 · answer #5 · answered by Chelle F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had 4 boys. A set of twins..used an OB. Third boy I used a CNM...Horrible awful experience! I literally kicked her in the head..intentionally. I labored for 30 hours...begged for a C-section. She would not even have the OB come in and check on me...Just kept pumping me full of more and more pitosin. I ws 3 1/2 weeks over due...had my water not broke..its hard telling how long baby would have been in there.. When baby 3 was finally delivered naturally he was just under 10 pounds. I am 5'5" and weigh about 115 usually and very small framed. Needless to say it took forever to heal down there. 4th baby..used an OB again. 100% better experience. STAY AWAY FROM MIDWIVES!!!
2007-03-24 05:21:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used an OB with both of my pregnancys but it seems to be less stressful using a midwife from what i've heard, unless there is an emergency
2007-03-24 00:53:21 · answer #7 · answered by mother of 3 angels 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a midwife for all 3 of my pregnancies, but was only able to deliver at the birthing center with my 3rd son due to some complications with the other 2. I hated the hospital experiences with my 1st 2 births, but not because of the doctors. I didn't like all of the rules or how I was treated by the nurses or how my sons were handled and separated from me. I can't say anything negative about the doctors themselves because they did their jobs, but if you have the opportunity to use a midwife I would definitely suggest it. When I delivered my 3rd son my husband and I had complete freedom...I was able to move around, get in the tub, use a birthing ball, etc. The midwives were there for support, but other than monitoring my son's heart rate every 5 minutes or so they kept their distance. I never felt like they weren't educated enough to handle the situation and I was completely comfortable listening to my own body - which was quite the opposite of how I felt in the hospital. My labor progressed much quicker at the birthing center and after my son was born I was able to hold him and bond with him until I felt like I was ready to let them weigh him, etc. He was the most alert of all of my boys after birth and cried the least....at this point in my life I don't think I will be having any more children, but if it does happen again I will definitely be using a midwife. I wish you luck in your decision!
2007-03-24 01:10:07 · answer #8 · answered by Courtney D 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I use an OB. I just used them because they seem to be a lot easier to find and I just trust them more. I was never sure what made a midwife a midwife. Good luck.
2007-03-24 01:45:49 · answer #9 · answered by Brie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go with the OB you never know if things go wrong--the midwife can be present but have the doc there and be in a hospital. You should have a doc you can trust.
2007-03-24 00:54:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋