Midwife recommendations and midwife questions

What exactly is the difference between a midwife and a doctor? I am having a hard time finding a doctor that I am really comfortable with, so maybe a midwife is the way to go for me.

Also, can anyone recommend an excellent midwife?

TIA

Re: Midwife recommendations and midwife questions

I am using a midwife. I am in CT so Ic an't give you a specific recomendation. I have heard GREAT things about the Gaia midwives.

Midwives education. Midwives are first registered nurses who work in L&D usually for 5+ years before they are accepted into a midwifery program. THey then study for another 3+ years and intern with other midwives. THey are nurse practitioners so they can start IVs and prescribe medication just like a doctor. They DO NOT perform c-sections, but can perform an episiotomy if needed adn stich you back up.

I was in the medical profesion, worked in L&D with OBs and midwives and have a lot of "behind the scenes" knowledge on how both practices work.

Basically midwives believe that birth is a natural process within the body that while under normal circumstances needs little to no medical intervention. They belive in a fully body approach to healthcare. Caring not only for the physical aspect of pregnancy within the mother but her emotional well-being and family dynamics between her husband (partner) and/or other children.

Midwives have lower ceserean seciton and episiotimy rates and their maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality rates are lower than practicing OB's (this is partly because OBs handle complicated andhigh risk pregnancys)

In Europe and Asia most pregnant women are care for by midwives. OBs are only used for high risk and complications in pregnancy. THese countries also hav significanly lower infant and maternal morbidity and mortality rates.

I love my midwives. My appointments are usually 1-1.5 hours long. We spend the first 30 min talking about how I'm feeling and questions I may have. They I get a quick check over and then the last 20-30 minutes we talk about a different topic. Exercise, breast feeding, intimacy in pregnancy etc.



I interviewed both OBs and midwives before getting pregnant. My midwife interviews were usually over an hour long. THe OB's wanted me out after 10 minutes.

I wanted to have someone that would sit and have the time to talk to me and not make me feel rushed...........

I'm not saying all OBs are like this but they usullly have higher patient loads and are more likely to use medical intervention.

I would contact a midwife and set up an interview and see how you feel about them.

Re: Midwife recommendations and midwife questions

i am currently seeing a midwife!! she is located in the city though and delivers out of st. vincents hospital. - fm me if you want her contact info...

i switched over from an ob/gyn to a midwife when i was about 20 wks pregnant. i am now 29 weeks.

so far, i've noticed my appts are much longer with a midwife.
we always have about a good 15-30 minute discussion in her office before we step into an exam room- which i love!!!

the reason i chose to go the midwife route was b.c i really wanted someone that was going to hold my hand through the whole process- esp. during delivery and make me feel comfortable, not treat me like a routine procedure.
i plan to have a natural childbirth with little intervention if possible and i know that a midwife will help me get there.
- however, i am not taking the the epidural off the table. if i see that i really need it, i will take it...


another thing that was important for me was that i wanted to labor in whatever position was comfortable for me!! like if i wanted to be on my side, or curled up in a ball... i wanted to do what was comfortable for me.

i can't recommend seeing a midwife enough!i see such a difference in care and patient information.

good luck!! hth!! rent business of being born by ricki lake!! it was an excellent documentary!!

Re: Midwife recommendations and midwife questions

I used the StonyBrook Midwives and loved them !!

Re: Midwife recommendations and midwife questions

This all sounds great. Do they take insurance? What can I expect to pay if i decide to use a midwife?

Re: Midwife recommendations and midwife questions

My midwife is fully covered by my insurance. In fact, I am having a homebirth and that is fully covered.

My best advice is call your insurance comapny and see what midwives hey cover and call them!

Re: Midwife recommendations and midwife questions

yes, my midwife is covered by my insurance and she delivers out of a hospital.
i went on my insurance website and found a variety of midwives that take my insurance.
in the end, i chose one that located conveniently near my job so that i could go during my lunch breaks. it was also important to me that i go to a midwife that delivers out of a hospital since this is my first child...

i would love a waterbirth!! maybe for the 2nd baby!

Re: Midwife recommendations and midwife questions

I was seeing Susan Brockmann of Gaia midwives & I loved her, but because of insurance, I had to switch. I have my first appointment with the Stonybrook Midwives tomorrow so I can let you know what I think if you are interested.

Insurance does cover midiwives so check with your insurance company for a list of midwives they cover.

Re: Midwife recommendations and midwife questions

Message edited 10/13/2008 4:38:05 PM.

Re: Midwife recommendations and midwife questions

I am sooooooo happy I put up this post. Thanks everyone. I called a few midwives and my insurance company. I really want this to work out. I have been feeling so hopeless, so unhappy with the doctors!

Thanks again.