Midwife or Doctor?

Question

Which do you prefer, midwife or doctor, and why?
I am leaving the doctor I go to now, but I have to decide between another doctor or a midwife.

Answer 1

where i went i seen both a doctor and a midwife and i prefer the midwife. She was so helpful!! When it was time for my daughter to be born she stayed by my side the whole time!!! I did have a little trouble giving birth cause my daughter was turned the wrong way so the doctor came in and they both helped deliver her

Answer 2

why not a combination? or maybe a doula and a doctor? just because you have a midwife doesn't mean you can't have a doctor around for the birth (and vice versa). i would really recommend having a doctor and finding a really good doula. they help A LOT during labor and birth. they can kind of be your go-between with the nurses and doctor. plus they're great support. and you're the only one they're taking care of. as opposed to the nurses and doctors who have they're hands full with other patients. either way, make sure you have someone you're comfortable with and who will listen to you.
(also, if you do choose a midwife that doesn't mean that you have to have a home birth. you could find a birthing center or even still go to a hospital, just in case an emergancy does come up.)

Answer 3

My husband and I chose a midwife for the prenatal care and delivery of our son because she is the highest qualified nurse even higher than a nurse practitioner and when you opt for a midwife you are not under a doctors command based on protocol to determine what is best for you and your baby. There is less medical intervention because midwives treat the birthing cycle as a natural process and not a medical condition. You also still are able to get ultrasounds,blood tests, epiderals, and cecareans(if necessary) that other people have access to that choose a doc. However you don't have to get all blood tests like an hiv if you know you are negative. It is very cool and I am very pleased with the path that we chose for our prenatal care. Generally you get to see your midwife more than a doctor(each appt. is set up for an hour and you are actually with the same person for that whole time). You will also have a phone number for personal contact if you have questions or concerns(not a pager like with a doc). But my favorite part of chosing a midwife is the level of comfort because you are able to talk more freely with your midwife about your and your husband's or partner's personal beliefs and concerns with your pregnancy. I would not do it any other way.

Answer 4

well i had a Dr when i was pregnant with my son. he wasn't exactly what i wanted he is prone to c-sections and knew nothing about breast feeding. i wanted to go to a midwife but i thought that because i was over weight i would have to have a Dr but i had no complications. i ended up with a failed induction and c-section. i recently had a miscarriage but before hand io found a mixed practice every other visit you see the Dr and the opposite you see one of a few different midwifes that way you already know whoever is on call when you go into labor. the hospital they delivered at doesn't allow VBACs so i was going to have to switch but before i made up my mind i lost the baby. i didn't like the midwife i saw but i really like the idea of having a midwife but also having a Dr in case you have complications. if you are seeing a midwife and develop a problem you would have to switch to a Dr but this way you wouldn't. ask around they usually take about any insurance and are listed as a woman's health center.

Answer 5

This is my first pregnacy 23 weeks 1 day (today) I am seeing a midwife.. it was a personal choice i feel as if i get alot of attention in my visits but since ive never seen a doctor im not sure how they work, and i have also chosen to go natural and midwifes tend to take a better approach to this.

Answer 6

I have had both and love both My doctors were chosen EXTREMELY carefully. I opted for a male OB who was more of a midhusband than an OB. Most OBs, by practice, view pregnancy and birth as a risk until proven otherwise.

The midwifery model of care, on the other hand, is more natural and wholistic in approach. They view pregnancy and birth as natural and normal until proven otherwise. I had a wonderful midwife for my last birth.

Mainly, I looked for an advocate for my health - someone who saw me and respected me as a proactive participant in my health care, and educated consumer, and someone whose body was not faulty, a lemon, or otherwise needing 'management'. You can find that POV with either, if you are choosy and careful.

I personally, though, would opt for a midwife any day if I had the chance again. I have linked a great paper on the midwifery model of care and how it differs from the medical mode of care.

Answer 7

i had midwife and then 30Min's before i had my son they needed to call a doctor but my midwife was there for me when i needed her so i would say midwife only cause the doctor could be rushed away but yeah midwife

Answer 8

i had a dr for my first and i have a midwife now with my second. with the midwife i can't seem to get results wen i tell her something is wrong, so i have requested to c a dr in the office she is in. she refuses to give me a refferal. soi am not going to go back to that office after i have this baby. and if i wasnt due in 3 weeks id switch now. so dr for me all the way

Answer 9

Midwife if you are healthy and young, but if you are overweight, over 35, or have any health problems at all, they will probably make you go to a doctor anyway.

Answer 10

i weighed the options myself and ended up going w/ a doctor. I'm so glad i did because i had severe and sudden problems. i doubt very much a mid wife could have handled it.
from what i hear a midwife can be much more personal though.