Melanie Summersille, Midwife recommendations?

Hi everyone,
I am currently in my first trimester and I am starting to think about having a natural birth, if at all medically possible :). I live in Nassau County and have found Melanie Summersille's information online. A few of the threds on here mention her. Can anyone specifically recommend her from a current experience? Why would you specifically recommend her?

Thanks for any info you may have!

Message edited 7/31/2012 8:22:24 PM.

Re: Melanie Summersille, Midwife recommendations?

I'm using her - for me it's specifically because I'm trying for a VBAC. I liked the Gaia midwives as well, but didn't feel as comfortable not knowing the ob who could potentially perform the c-section if necessary. Overall I've liked my experience - I'm extended nursing DS1 and I appreciate her support. My questions were more VBAC related - but I found her responsive and understanding.

I did have a friend who felt that Melanie was pushing for a c-section at the end of the pregnancy. The friend ultimately switched to another midwife at 39 weeks and had a successful natural birth.

That story scared me, but I'm going with my gut on this one. For me, comparatively I feel less criticized in my decisions than I did with the ob practice I used previously.

Good luck!

Melanie Summersille, Midwife recommendations?

I'm 16 weeks and thinking about switching to melanie. I have an appointment with her in 2 weeks. Once I meet with her I'll give you my feedback. I know 4 people IRL that have used her and raved about her.

Re: Melanie Summersille, Midwife recommendations?

Thanks for all of the detailed info gals! Best of luck on your VBAC, Mama2Max. I hope you have the birth you are planning!

Samira0407, I have an appointment with her for Ag 14th, so I will also give feedback after that. Great that you have heard good things.

I am wondering what specific support she would give during the birth that would be different from an OB. I know generally what midwifes do, but I am wondering about her supports and views.

I am also happy that she is affiliated with Winthrop. :)

Message edited 8/1/2012 10:49:21 AM.

Re: Melanie Summersille, Midwife recommendations?

I love, love, love Melanie!!! She was my midwife with DS and again with this baby. Your appointments are very quick and may leave a lot to be desired, but write down a list of any questions you have and she will answer them. I was a little turned off by that at first, but I've just come to realize she's not a hand-holder and I'm okay with that. Just go in to your appointments prepared with any questions and you will be very pleased with her.

As for my birth experience, she was wonderful. Most (if not all) doctors and many midwives would have pushed for a c-section because I pushed for 5 hours. The first 2 hours of pushing DS would slide right back up every time I pushed, so she had me change positions. I could labor and deliver in whatever position I wanted, I wasn't hooked up to a monitor or IV, and she never once pushed me to get an epi or any drugs. Actually, at one point I asked her if it was too late for anything, and she just reminded me that I really wanted to go drug-free, that I could DO this, and I was almost there. I am SOOOOOOOO happy that she gave me that extra push, because right at that moment I needed it. The nurse was pushing for me to get the drugs and Melanie shut her right up, so I was grateful for that.

The only thing that I was not happy about was the pitocin. My labor stalled about 8 hours in, and I had only an hour or so to get it started again. At that point I had had 8 hours of excruciating back labor, I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast around 9am (it was now 11pm), I threw up multiple times and I could barely stand I was so weak and shaky so I couldn't walk around. I tried to get my labor started again with nipple stimulation, but it didn't worked so she had to give me pitocin. I was still having contractions but they were like 6-7 minutes apart (they were previously 2-2.5 min apart). I am going to bring up the pitocin at my next appointment and discuss with her how I can avoid that if the same thing happens this time around.

All in all, I had a wonderful experience. Going drug-free and having a vaginal birth were extremely important to me, and with Melanie I was able to do both. FM me if you have any additional questions! Good luck!

Melanie Summersille, Midwife recommendations?

I was also wondering about her support during the birth!

I have a list of questions to ask her already. (May appt isn't until the 21st so i guess it's more like 3 weeks from now LOL). I was wondering if she would definitely be the person delivering the baby; and if she's be at the birth the majority of the time?

Re: Melanie Summersille, Midwife recommendations?

Re: Melanie Summersille, Midwife recommendations?

Re: Melanie Summersille, Midwife recommendations?

Re: Melanie Summersille, Midwife recommendations?

I just delivered with Melanie last September. I was VERY happy with her. Like a pp said, there is no hand holding at the appts. But she is very thorough.

Here is a brief synopsis of my exp:

At 39 weeks and change, baby flipped head up. Winthrop will not let a breech baby be delivered vaginally. Melanie did a successful external version. She was awesome.

I went into labor, but went to the hosp too early (husband's urging). Labor slowed significantly after admission. She allowed me to walk around the hospital and neighborhood to speed things up. When that didn't help, she let me go home (most OBs would not let you leave once you are admitted).

I went back later that day once I was really in labor and ready to go. Melanie did not breathe down my neck, but she was there enough to feel supportive. You do have to do a fetal monitor when you are admitted, and periodically after that, but not the whole time. Melanie gave me an idea of what to expect and two or three things I could do (e.g. "You may start to feel the need to push. Some positions you may feel comfortable in are kneeling, hands and knees, runners lunge.") This was very helpful.

All in all, Melanie helped me with a beautiful birth, and I was very happy.

Compared to an OB, Melanie was there a lot more, did not make me wear a fetal monitor the whole time, did not make me have a hep-lock, and suggested different positions that would be comfortable to birth in. (I gave birth to my first child with an OB, and that was a good experience too, but it was in Boston, where they are a lot more natural birth friendly). I understand that OBs in Winthrop all make women have the monitor for the whole time they are there (which is VERY annoying), and have an IV or hep-lock.

Hope this isn't too long. Feel free to FM me or respond to this with more questions. Good luck!!

Re: Melanie Summersille, Midwife recommendations?