Midwife vs OBGYN?

Question

Hi Ladies! Newly pregnant for the first time, only 4.5 weeks along. As I consider the route I want to take on prenatal and delivery care, I’m intrigued by the option of midwife vs traditional obgyn. I know as a black woman I have so much a higher likelihood of not being listened to, dying during labor, etc because of unconscious bias, and the idea of a midwife who really listens and takes a more holistic approach is advantageous to me for this reason, but wondering if anyone had good/bad experiences with midwives and what thoughts are? 
I have an appointment with both, but just wondering folks experiences. There is a midwife unit in the hospital center near where I live, I would still deliver in a hospital and get all of the routine screening and prenatal medical care along with this midwife practice. Any insight appreciated!

Answer

I delivered with a midwife at a large hospital, which sounds like a similar setup to what you’re looking at. I loved it-it felt like the best of both worlds to me. I got the more holistic approach but also knew if myself of baby had complications we would easily be transferred to the appropriate care within the hospital. 
They supported me in attempting a water birth and offered natural alternatives before medical interventions (as I told them I preferred)-but respected my choice when I decided to get an epidural etc.
I do know that they are only able to take “uncomplicated” pregnancies so if you develop gestational diabetes etc or other complications you would likely need to be transferred to an OBGYN group. I am setup to deliver with the same midwife group this pregnancy and really think it’s an amazing option! Plus the midwife who delivered my first had been a midwife for fifteen years and often with an OBGYN group you see residents who are also great but don’t objectively have as much experience. Haha ok I’ll stop my rave now!

Answer

I switched from an obygn to a midwife in my third trimester with my first. I was so much happier! The midwives values aligned with mine so much more than the OB. Now I’m starting off with a midwife this pregnancy and will only see an OB if medically necessary which hopefully doesn’t have to be the case

Answer

Just know that a midwife cannot perform a C-section. So my best advice would be if you want to go with a midwife, go that route but also meet with an OB as a back up.

Midwife vs OBGYN?

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