Midwives

I love my midwife! I think that phrase would be a bumper sticker on my car if I used bumper stickers. Actually, to be more accurate, I love my midwives! Instead of going to an OB, I chose a practice that consists of group of midwives and a group of OBs who work closely together. In fact, while I usually see a midwife for my monthly appointments, my next appointment is with the OB. With my first child I only saw an OB once and that was to get a prescription for Glyburide (for my gestational diabetes). With this pregnancy I might see an OB a bit more often because of the twin thing but my main caregiver is still a midwife.

Why do I love midwives so much? In my experience they are almost always on time for their appointments and they take the time to talk to you. That makes such a big difference! They also aren't quite so quick to suggest things like a c-section or an episiotomy. They only use those tools when absolutely necessary. I would say all but one of the midwives I've seen are also warm and friendly. You definitely want them there at the birth of your child.

I think some people think that using a midwife means that you are planning a home birth or a natural birth without drugs and that isn't necessarily the case. With my first child I gave birth in a hospital, with drugs and with a midwife. I only needed a doctor at the very end when part of my placenta was still stuck inside me and even then, she was only needed because her hands were smaller than my midwife's hands were!

With this pregnancy I know that I may not get just the midwife doing the delivery, I might need an OB as well but at least I know that she will be there for me during my labor. I've been told that I should be able to labor in a normal room but they might keep me close to the operating room just in case. She also recommend an epidural (which isn't a problem for me), again, just in case they need to do an emergency c-section. I asked if they would be able to "version" one of the babies if necessary and she said it depended on the OB and the situation. So, while I know things may not work out the way I'd like to them too, at least I know I have some good options and they aren't pushing a c-section unless absolutely necessary.

What is the moral of the story? If you are pregnant and can find a good OB/Midwife practice then you should go for it! You will get the personal care of a midwife and if needed, the medical care of an OB. And if you are like me, you'll also have regular ultrasounds with a perinatologist!