Doctor vs. Midwife?

Question

Any strong opinions either way?

Answer 1

Personally I would prefer a doctor at a hospital just in case anything happens (hope not), and also they are just as trained as midwifes to deliver babies.

Answer 2

Doctor Vs Midwife

Answer 3

A doctor sees pregnancy as a medical condition that will be remedied with the birth of the baby. A doctor is more likely to intervene in the pregnancy by inducing or doing a c-section.

A midwife sees pregnancy as a natural part of life. They tend to be more nurturing and supportive of mom's needs.

I have friends who've had wonderful midwives. However, in our community the only way I could see a midwife was through "Centering" groups. I do not recommend them as you don't get the more personal care you need while pregnant.

I am pro-midwife, if it doesn't involve a centering group!

Answer 4

Many people picture a midwife as the creepy old lady who lives in the village -- it's completely not true in the modern world. Midwives give the same standards of care as doctors, and can help avoid situations in which a mother might feel pressured -- to get an unnecessary c-section, for example.

I have had a certified nurse midwife (CNM) for each pregnancy. She's in practice with two full MD's (OB/GYN's), so any high-risk problems before or during birth can be dealt with as needed (those physicians are on call for C-sections as well).

Bottom line is, it's a personal decision for the parents. Meet with one of each, see how you feel about their qualifications and their philosophies about pregnancy and labor. I wouldn't be as comfortable with a doctor, and I've got good friends who wouldn't be as comfortable with a midwife... we all have happy, healthy children, though :-)

Answer 5

First of all, there are differences between a midwife and a certified nurse midwife. A midwife tends to be for women who want a non-intervention birth. They don't want any drugs and minimal intervention. Certainly women can, and do, have drug-free births with doctors, but midwifes will work to prepare you for that experience more if it's something you feel strongly about. A CNM is similar to a doctor and, in practices that offer both doctor and midwife rotations, the CNM is on the doctor's rotation.

I wanted epidurals with both of my births so I went the dr route.

Answer 6

That's a hard call. But when it really comes down to it, it depends on your personal feelings. For instance, i would go with a midwife (after having my baby in a hospital in 04) for the sake of privacy and one-on one support. My doctor did not arrive until i was crowning, up until then i had a couple of nurses. I felt shy to express my concerns because i felt that they were minor in comparison to all the work the nurses had to do with all the women giving birth that night. After i had my baby and i was soundly asleep, a nurse came in with my baby and very rudely woke me up and insisted that i breast-feed her.....in my own house do you think that would fly!
Not to mention that while i was going thru contractions and pushing, i was able to see out into the hallway, watching boyfriends and husbands walking around. Also (and this is quite common but most women don't really remember it) other nurses had come in and stood in the distance to watch me give birth....it was as if it had been announced that the circus was in town in room #508! I had made it clear to my husband that i would be very upset if there were more than 2 nurses in the room....but because we were in the hospital, they know best right? and so my husband didn't clear the room of the gawkers. And what could i do in my state?! The only reason that i went to the hospital was for the epidural....honestly, i don't think it was worth it.

But that's just me! I mean most women say that when they are giving birth, they just don't care; about modesty, privacy or who is in the room. But i care, and i was very disturbed by the whole thing.
So a midwife sounds good to me!

Answer 7

I have 4 children and for one of them I had a midwife. No meds, but I didn't get meds with 2 of my other children. The midwife had different ways of helping the baby come down the birth canal faster. Besides that, and the medication (or lack off) not much difference. The midwife went to the hospital of my choice for the delivery.

Answer 8

I would opt for a midwife because they are more "motherly" they have a more natural setting and are more packed with natural relaxation stuff. Doctors are just as good , but sometimes focus more towards the baby (not too much on mom) and on health and medicines being used. Depends on your comfort level. If you are type A, very "to-the-point, you may be better off having a doctor. If you want a more realxing natural feeling go with a midwife.

Answer 9

For about 90% of women, my opinion would always be midwife. There is a big difference in the training and skills between an OB and a midwife.

Midwives are trained in a way that teaches them to trust the process of childbirth and work with it. They use a variety of techniques to help the baby move into a good position, keep the mother comfortable and generally help the process along. Most midwives remain with the mother for the entire labor. There are two types of midwives, direct-entry and nurse midwives. Nurse midwives assist women in the hospital, can order epidurals and have full access to the things OB's have. They refer out if you need a cesarean, but your odds of needing one with a midwife are much lower than with an OB.

Direct-entry midwives in the US generally assist at homebirths, but in some communities are given privileges to assist in hospitals. Even at homebirths midwives have access to the equipment needed to handle the most common childbirth complications.

OB's are surgeons, trained to manage and treat problems. But pregnancy and childbirth are not usually problems. Studies repeatedly show that when normal births are "managed" with medical interventions, more interventions are needed and the outcomes for babies and mothers doesn't improve. Most OB's show up just to catch, and are only involved in the birth through the ordering of medications. It is the hospital nurse who is left to work with the laboring mother.
However, some women need the surgical skills of an OB to ensure the health and safety of themselves and their babies. So, I cannot say it is always best to have a midwife, just usually.

In the US, you do have the option of having your family doctor attend you in labor. They generally treat birth as more normal than an OB, but do not always have the skills of a midwife.

Having said all this, I just want to make it clear these are generalities about the methods for practicing - most midwives care for women using the midwifery model and most OB's use the medical model. However, it is possible to find an OB who uses the midwifery model of care (I have worked with one) and it is possible to have a midwife who follows the medical model of care (I have worked with one). It is important to interview before you hire anyone. Don't just assume you know what you are getting because of the letters after their name.

Answer 10

My son was delivered by a Midwife. She was great! My OB was a man so I felt like she KNEW what I was going through. They worked together. If it's a normal delivery, a midwife works great. That same OB delivered my twins 4 years later by c-section. An OB is not really NEEDED to deliver with a normal delivery. I'd go with a Midwife.

Answer 11

My first child was born under the care of a midwife. 2nd with my ob/gyn. I received good care with both. The midwife was just as knowledgeable about pregnancy stages, tests, etc as my doctor. If I had another, I would stick with my doctor, but only because I wouldnt want to change practitioners again.