Those using midwives and/or water birth

I have an OB/GYN and currently plan on delivering in Huntington hospital...I have no clue what using a midwife entails. I am not against DR.s or hospitals, but I do like the idea of no epidural, minimal drugs...

My question is where would I even look for a midwife? I am in north western suffolk. Also do you still go to prenatal visits at the doctor's office? Do you still deliver at a hospital? Do most Ins companies cover the midwife?

I am also very interested in water birthing as my friend's sister did this in FL and had an awesome experience...no drugs and easy labor.

Does anyone know of birthing centers offering water birthing?

ANy info would be great. Thanks!

Re: Those using midwives and/or water birth

I am not using a midwife, but many ladies on this board do and seem to love them!! A midwife is used in place of your OB. The midwife would have an OB that she works with in case of problems with delivery, but other than that, the midwife is your OB practioner. Many midwives have practices where there are a few of them working together, like an OB practice would. Sometimes they are sole practitioners.

I would first check with your insurance and see who is a participating midwife on your plan. Then from that list, maybe ask for suggestions from the ladies on here or the Parenting Board.

As for having a water birth, I believe that Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow is the only hospital that offers water births on Long Island. Of course, if you chose to have your baby at a birthing center instead of a hospital, I would suspect that there are more options for having a water birth. I would explore them with your midwife if you choose to go that route!! HTH! Good luck to ya!!

Re: Those using midwives and/or water birth

Check your insurance -- they'll have a list of midwives. I've heard great things about Dale Cook of Gaia Midwives and I know she delivers at Huntington Hospital.

I used Stony Brook midwives -- they're great.

Re: Those using midwives and/or water birth

hiya!! i am currently in the process of switching over to a midwife!
ive read so many great things about them and i cant wait to share my own experience.

my first bit of advice is to go to your insurance provider's website. mine is cigna. i was having a hard time navigating through the site, so i called my insurance and had them walk me through the site to locate midwives that accept my insurance 100%.

i found a huge listing!!!! this was so helpful to me b.c i was beginning to think that the midwife route was not meant to be. all the ones i found online prior to my insurance midwife search were expensives and i would have had to pay all out of pocket!


anyhow, where are you located???i am in nj ( about 20 minutes from NYC) so long island midwives were not an option for me but that left the city wide open for me! i found a great midwife that delivers out of a hospital which is VERY IMPORTANT to me!
i was also interested in a waterbirth but unfortunately, the hospital does not have a birthing pool.

anyhow, good luck with your search! i would start with your insurance company and then work from that list. there is no sense in finding the perfect practice/midwife only to find that she does not accept your insurance! it will really crush you!

good luck!! i tried starting a midwife thread, i'll bump it for you!

Re: Those using midwives and/or water birth

I used Dale Cook from Gaia midwives and I LOVE her! Her office is located in Greenlawn so its pretty close for you. Here a link to the website Gaia Midwives

Re: Those using midwives and/or water birth

My doctors office is a little different. My doctors office has 3 midwives. They actually encourage you to see the midwives as well as your regular doctor. I've been alternating appointments between my doctor and the midwives.

I am delivering in the hospital. All the midwives work with the doctors and in the hospitals. The midwives in my doctors office have no problems with providing Epidurals, medications or anything.

Talk with your doctor. He may have a recommendation or have someone he works with.