OB doc or midwife? How many of you ladies are going to an OB and how many are going to a midwife?

Question

Also why did you make the decision you did and is this your first pregnancy (if not how many kids do you have)?

Answer 1

I ran from my OB with baby #1 when I was almost 20 yrs old and chose a midwife for my first pregnancy. I continued to use midwives for #2, #3 and #4. Sooooo happy I did!
The reason was I was told my pelvis was too small to have a baby weighing over 7 lbs and she would do a c-section if I gained more than 30 lbs. Well, I knew better. It is ideal to gain 30-35 lbs, big babies run in my family and I'm average size. I knew pregnancy hormones cause bones to relax and no one can really say 100% how flexible you'll be during labor and delivery. Things can happen, sure, but to not even be given the chance??? What if I gained 31 lbs - should I think about losing weight??? This Dr made NO SENSE and the sad thing is, she's still practicing here. It was just ridiculous. I knew I would end up being C-sectioned for no reason and I wasn't going to risk it. She also told me how fond she was of episiotomies and I was thinking - OH NO!
So - my care with the midwives was WONDERFUL! They were so helpful, compassionate, birth was viewed as a natural event, not an illness - they were aware of all complications that COULD happen, but they didn't EXPECT them to happen. I was totally at ease. I saw my family practice dr along with the midwives - he was my medical liason (my idea) in case I ended up at the hospital. I had a perfect home birth - 2 blks from the hospital. I would have made it there before the anesthesiologist if I had any complications. My labor was 24 hours long, all natural. My daughter was born with the highest APGAR scores, she weighed 7 lbs 7 oz and was perfectly healthy. She nursed without any problems, I had no cuts, no tearing, not one stitch! I felt fantastic! My husband agreed it couldn't have been any better.
Baby #2 - same thing - only I had a 3 hour labor and this daughter was born weighing 9 lbs 11 oz! Hahahaha! I sent the OB doc a nice little card with all her info and said, "Look what I did!"
Baby #3 - midwifery for prenatal care, we moved to Indianapolis when I was 7 mos. Insurance wouldn't cover a midwife - so I chose family practice doctors (one was the head of the practice and one was a resident who had never assisted a birth) - wonderful too! Great experience minus being in a hospital and having nurses offer me drugs every hour after I told them not to.
Baby #4 was born a birth center there and it was the best experience by far - they were totally equipped (I like safety as much as the next person) like a hospital, but it was in a house and it felt like a luxury hotel stay to me. I was so pampered and knew if anything happened, there were ambulances and helicopters standing by.
I can't begin to tell you how much better the care is with midwives. It is the safest choice because you're not having unnecessary medical interventions that can lead into another and another and another. You're less at risk for having stitches, c-sections or drugs. Babies are so safe - they monitor better I feel, than doctors at the hospital. I have seen family members have babies in the hospital with OBs and it was a miserable experience compared to my own. One was induced, which was a much harder labor than I ever had. One was given a C-Section because she had an epidural and couldn't feel enough to push - baby went into distress. Awful - then he wouldn't nurse because both mom and baby were all drugged and sleeping. My cousin just had a baby in OK with a doctor and the doctor let her rip wide open - didn't even try to prevent it (and it is 100% preventable). She was sore for weeks.
The best thing to do is talk to midwives and see what you think. If at any time something comes up that they can't handle - they refer you to a doctor. There are times medical interventions are necessary, but it shouldn't just be the norm if they're not. Hospitals are in business to make $ - that's something to remember too. C-sections, Inductions, Epidurals, and anything else allows the hospital to charge your insurance or you more. We don't like to think this, but it's a fact. The doctor makes twice as much $$$ for a C-Section rather than a natural labor. It's something they can prearrange too - how convenient!
So - there's my 2 cents!
I wish you the happiest and safest birth experience possible! You'll be great!

Answer 2

I went to an OB with my first child. I loved my doctor and since I had some complications at the beginning of the pregancy I felt more comfortable giving birth in a hospital. I would consider going to a midwife though. I know many people who have and only 1 couple has had complaints. Do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.

Answer 3

I have a midwife. I was looking for more holistic(whole body, and mind) care rather than pregnancy care and decided that a midwife would be the best way to go. I know my body very well and found that most doctors don't respect that. I have been very happy with a midwife and will still be delivering in a hospital with doctors on staff if they are needed. She is part of a medical group with doctors and if complications occur she will refer me to one of them.

I also have a friend that has delivered with an OB twice before and is using a midwife with #3 and is very happy with her as well.

Answer 4

I have an OB who I love. I am pregnant with my 2nd, and she delivered my daughter. I trust her and feel very comfortable around her. I think one major contributing factor that I chose her is that my insurance covered her and she was recommended as a gynecologist by family members. I don't feel the need for a midwife because my doctor listens to me and answers all of my questions. Also, with my first I had a few little problems during delivery and even though I'm only 3 months along in this pregnancy we've discussed what we can do to try and prevent those problems from occurring again to help ease my mind. I'm really impressed with her.

Answer 5

I saw a family doctor for my first daughter. After that I saw ob/gyns. I would have loved to have gone to a midwife (my mom was a midwife's assistant for a while and had me at home) but we don't have any in our area that are affiliated with a hospital and my state medical assistance doesn't cover midwives. I personally know a midwife but with this pregnancy I have to have a scheduled c-section because of medical issues. I really liked the ob that delivered my second and third daughters but he had to change his hospital affiliation to an out of state hospital and Med assistance wouldn't cover him. I like the docs I have now but they aren't as good as my other doc (he gave all his ob patients all his numbers - cell, home and pager - so he could be reached whenever we needed him and everybody in the office knew your name!!).

I have had three girls, one miscarriage and am currently 16 weeks pregnant.

Answer 6

This is my second preganancy and with both, I have chosen a midwife. Why? Doctor's are great, but midwife's have more time to offer you. I seen doctors with my first pregnancy up until I reached 20 weeks and then I switched to a midwife. The reason I chose her was because she was more thorough and understanding and seemed to be in tuned with my feelings. The doctors would come in and do there testing and I would be on my way. They didnt ask me how I was feeling or if I had any concerns. I was told to talk to the nurses if I had any.

If your unsure, then ask to meet with a midwife. I reccommend midwife's to all my friends. Two of my friends just gave birth and they too had midwife's. Good luck!

Answer 7

I had two childred under OB care (two different docs, mine was out of town the 2nd time). I didn't have a regular physician at the time I started to have children becuase I was seeing the OB for fertility issues. If we have any more children I will seek my OB doc again, even though I really like the family physician I currently see. I also appreciate the specialized training an OB has, they are the only ones that have to be trained to use the forceps (not that he needed them).

BTW, I am a wuss and enjoy getting the epidural. OB is the way for me!

Answer 8

I started seeing my OB after 28 weeks pregnant. If your pregnancy is going well (not high risk), it is ok to see your family physician until then. Up until 28 weeks, then you see the OB for every 2 weeks. However, if you are not comfortable with your doctor, it's a good idea to start looking around for another doctor. Once you found a good doctor, it is also very common to see your family doctor for your baby. You dont need a pediatrician if your baby is healthy and normal. Also, its important to find an OB that delivers at the hospital you want to have the baby at. You then ask your doctor to refer you to the OB of your choice. Good luck!

Answer 9

First pregnancy, seeing a midwife. Just seems more personal and I really like everyone on staff at that office. I never cared much for my gynecologist, she always seemed so clinical about everything. The midwife office does have a doctor who works there, and I am still delivering in a hospital.

Answer 10

my first son, i had a doctor. second, i had a midwife. if i were able to have another child, i'd definitely choose the midwife again.

with my first son, i was induced. the dr really didn't seem to care when i was in labor. she had so many other patients delivering or in the hospital plus her practice (which was in the building attached to the hospital), she just seemed rushed and not very helpful with questions. the doctor pushed painkillers. she barely made it to the delivery. after the delivery my blood pressure dropped to 56/32. where was the dr? who knows.

my midwife, on the other hand, checked in several times even if it was phone call. asked if i had any questions and did her best to answer them thoroughly. as soon as she saw her last patient, she was at the hospital and stayed for about 2 hours AFTER he was born. everything was so relaxed. i had to have an iv because i was running a fever but otherwise it wasn't required. i was able to eat and drink while in labor (which helped keep my blood pressure up). it was just a better experience all in all.

most midwives have to practice in an office with a dr (depending on the state you live in). you'll probably have to see the dr. one time. in case of an emergency, the dr is available for consult or delivery. and to clear up something that was stated in an earlier post, most midwives do deliver in hospitals as not all areas have "birthing centers".