OB or Midwife?

Question

I am planning on starting TTC around June. I have had 3 c-sections and I will be high risk, I have been with all my babies and I have already been told this by my current OBGYN. 
I have heard so much about Midwives and everyone is telling me to get one, I try to be as healthy as possible, organic, etc. so everyone is telling me I would love one. But I don’t know anything about them! 
I know I have to have an OB for my c-section, I will be having one. But should I pay out of pocket for a midwife? Or do I just keep an OB only? Or is there another alternative?

Answer

You’ll have to have an OB at some point because of your c section. A midwife is not a surgeon so establishing care and a relationship with an OB who deals with high risk pregnancies is ideal. If youre looking for support you can try to find both who will worth together but honestly that’s difficult.

Answer

Depends where you live. You have to have an OB anyways, and at least for me it was whoever was on duty that day. Granted you can schedule in advance since it’s not your first. 
If you want a doula maybe but I don’t see the point in a midwife since you have to have an OB anyways. If you didn’t need the OB then I would say meet with a midwife and get a feel for them, maybe someone whom a friend used. I knew I wanted an OB the whole time due to the difficulties getting pregnant and in case of emergencies there certain things like a csection a midwife can’t have.

Answer

My OB also works with a team of midwives so I can see any of them, or choose a couple I like. That sounds like a good option for you as well. With my first I only had midwives and I adored every single one of them, but this pregnancy has some concerns my previous did not have so having my OB is a must, but the midwives work with the OB so they are in communication.

Answer

Get an ob that works together with a midwife.

Answer

This really depends on where you live. If you're in the US you need to be very cautious when choosing a midwife. You need to make sure it's a nurse midwife. They have specific credentials and training and will work closely with doctors and hospitals. 
I had midwife care through both of my pregnancies and delivered by c section both times.

Answer

Depends where you are, you can sometimes get a blended care model. Midwifery and OB working together. I have that type of care plan myself. I'm under the care ofudwovws, but will be having consultations with an OB throughout my pregnancy (one OB, who works closely with the midwifery clinic I'm with). If I happen to be "discharged" into sole OB care (per se) I will still have the midwives attending my birth, and they will be more of a doula role at that point,  until after birth when they take back over. So that I still get the care, compassion and informed choices from midwife team, as well as the amazing 6 weeks post partum home visits and breastfeeding support. It's a combined care model!! However midwives are free in Canada, so I can't speak to how that works where you are. Also, not all OB/Midwives do that kind of care model. Its often one or the other. But many midwives are well-equpped for certain type of high risk pregnancies and, depending on what issues they are dealing with,  may be able to provide the care throughout. Obviously,  exclusive of the c-section. But can possibly be present at your birth and there for the after care. All questions you'll have to ask both your OB and potential midwives. I freaking LOVED the midwifery model and cannot imagine any other way for my births. My husband originally never understood what a midwife was (and assumed that automatically meant home births or giving birth in the woods or something). But after having the incredible birth experience we had (Hospital birth, with care of an OB in tandem), he agrees midwives ALL the way! It was the best!

OB or Midwife?

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