Midwife or MD?

Question

I'm pregnant with my first baby and I am very interested in a water birth. I like the idea of a midwife because they have a different perspective on labor and delivery than MDs. Can any one help me with the pros and cons of midwives and MDs?

Most of my mothers side had to have c-sections because of dilation issues. I want to stay away from a c-section birth at all cost. I have done research on water births but , can anyone give me additional input on water births ?

Answer

I am a labor and delivery nurse. Both MDs and midwives  are experienced professionals, and both are very good at what they do. However, I prefer midwives over MDs because midwives are more patient, they want their patients to be active, walk in the hallway, use birthing ball, water labor, they are not too pushy with patients. They do everything and I mean everything before they discuss the possibility of C-section!  They have a better bedside manner, they are very good listeners, they wait for the baby to come down low enough before you start pushing, this way some mothers don't have to push for a long time and the baby is less likely to be in distress. Most importantly midwives are very patient!

Answer

Both my midwife and water birth were AMAZING. I'll be going the same route when this baby is ready. As far as a water birth, find a way to check out the tubs in person. My only complaint was that I didn't have anywhere to put my feet when I was pushing, the tub was too big until my husband (who was sitting behind me holding me up) starting rocking me forward when I was about to push, the I could plant my feet. So, next time, we are buying some of those suction cup handles for the tub at the birthing center, that should help. Oh, one other complaint, they don't have heaters or recirc pumps at my birthing center, so the tub was frequently being drained and refilled with warmer water in preparation for the baby. It wasn't a huge deal, but the water was colder than it should have been when my son arrived, I'll be sure to fix that next time.

Answer

If you like, check out the author Ina May Gaskin.  She is wonderful.
In my opinion.

Answer

I onlybhave pros for Midwives !!! Love them , had 2 water births at home 😊

Answer

This is my first one too, and I'm going the midwife route. I only heard great things when my sister and sister-in-law went that route. I'm not planning on a tub birth just because I hate baths anyway--they gross me out lol--but it seems like the midwives listen to you more, and care about YOUR birth plan, not what's on their agenda for the day. Hope this helps!

Answer

Search for a certified nurse midwife. CNMs have almost as much training as OBs. They have more training with normal, healthy births, because MDs focus training on higher risk pregnancy, interventuons, and complications.

However, you still may need a c-section, but a CNM will help you make that decision instead of assuming you'll need one based on family history. Women in your family must have had babies with c-sections at some point, because they haven't always been around. Also, all kinds of things can cause dilation issues, including stress and current hospital policies that limit movement during labor.

Answer

Midwife

Answer

I really recommend you watch 'water birth in the 21st century'. It is amazing. 
Midwife pros: 
More likely to allow freedom of movement when you want
Present during labor (doctors generally won't be. But nurses and a doctor are on site and nurses check in on you. The nurses an on L&D are usually really good).
You possibly have more say in the amount of people permitted in the room (not if the midwife is working in a hospital- it will be the hospital policy for a certain number).
You can be more picky about who you hire. 
Midwives have lots of training in non-invasive interventions.

Benefit's of an MD
You are directly in a hospital
You are a brief transfer away from OR
Doctors have more invasive interventions - can be a good thing such as internal fetal monitoring with fetal scalp electrode. Or vacuum assistance.. Stuff like that.

I'm assuming because of your consideration of a midwife you are planning on a more 'natural' approach if possible. The thing is, some MD's are not into skipping lots of intervention but then others are very much so into a more midwife approach to intervention. With midwives some are extremely quick to transfer you to the hospital if they want to.  Others are very much like MD's while other fit into the midwife picture of being very calm and well trained. 
See reviews of them. Know their stats.
A midwife doesn't automatically mean she's naturalistic.

Answer

Midwife all the way!

Answer

25 weeks pregnant and absolutely LOVE my midwife!

Midwife or MD?

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