Anyone used/used a midwife? What was/is your experience with them?

Question

What was your first appointment like? Do you like it better than seeing a regular obgyn? What was your experience?

I go next week to meet and tour a birthing center where my midwife is and meet with her for my first appointment. The wait is killing me but I'm excited and want to know what others experience was like.

Answer

I had just a midwife with my first pregnancy & I loved it. I was in a small country town and my midwife was actually a family friend I'd known my whole life. In New Zealand small towns like mine have 2 or 3 midwives per town, all paid for by the govt, that have little offices at home and then travel to the maternity centre in the main town (15min away) to give birth. It was also where we had out ante-natal classes.

This meant thw whole experience was very personal and relaxing, instead of being kind of clinical, like it generally is at a hospital. My birth plan was for an all natural water birth and I felt so prepared. Just wish I'd had better luck and actually been able to stick to it. Because our maternity centre isn't a full medical facility, I was sent to hospital due to risk of an infection 17hrs after my waters had torn & I was only 1cm dialated.

I wish I could have the same midwife experience this time but I'm now in Australia and at a public hospital where my care is shared between my whatever midwife I see each time, whichever OB they book me in with and my GP - my GP went on maternity leave in June though so now I just have another doctor from our medical centre & it's just not the same. I hate it all but there isn't much I can do about it really unless I want to pay for my care, which I don't. Sorry for the rant lol

Answer

I'm sure interested to know as well. I had a first appointment with my OBGYN and was not at all happy with how rushed she was, uninterested in answering a couple basic questions, and I was her first appointment of the day. Seriously looking into my other options.

Answer

Funny I have a midwife but she works in the hospitals and can administer a c section...please avoid this type of midwife....they are no different then a obgyn. As soon as I explained to her I wanted a natural labor, she kind of brushed the subject off and asked me could I even handle a natural birth!!??! Nope, I'm changing over to a birth center with a midwife who not only believes in natural birth, but believes I can achieve it as well!

Answer

I have my first midwife appointment tomorrow afternoon. I'm hoping for a good experience. 
I liked my Obgyn but the hospital she delivers in is currently undergoing three separate labor & delivery lawsuits, two of which I know the details about and terrifies me.

Answer

I'm near the end of my pregnancy. I've seen a homebirth midwife the whole time and I love her! My appointments are long and unrushed. She answers all my questions and even gives emotional support when I'm feeling overwhelmed. I can call or text her anytime I have questions. She truly believes in natural birth and that I CAN do it, but is also realistic about transfer to a hospital if/when necessary, which I may have to do. I highly suggest consulting with a few midwives to see if it's the right model of care for you. I would never go to a doctor unless medically necessary. 
Make sure you consult with more than one. Not all midwives are the same and you may not like the first one you see. Some are heavily religious, some are very anti-medical establishment, some are extra 'hippy'. You just have to find the one who meets you at your level and who you connect with. I also highly suggest hiring a doula!

Anyone used/used a midwife? What was/is your experience with them?

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