Midwife or OB? What did you do with your natural birth?

Question

I currently am with an OB. I don't know who will be delivering my baby from the office, because it is whoever is on call. So every appointment, I meet with a different OB. All of whom I have really liked so far, so I'm okay with this. Anyway, I have finally decided wholeheartedly that I do not want an epidural, although I will be giving birth in a hospital. For those of you who have given birth naturally already, did you have an OB and did they support you in your birth plan? There are midwives in the same office I go to, so I could easily switch. I'm the first one in my family and my husbands who wants to do natural, so I have no support with this being new and lots of questions. I don't want anyone to push me to not go natural. What was your situation like? Would you suggest a midwife? Or was it the nurses who you mostly dealt with?

Answer

I did a hospital without Epi and used an ob for my first. I am delivering at a birthing center for my second, so that can kinda give you an idea on how I feel about the hospital birth i had. Lol. I was induced and it made labor very hard. I would talk to them about how long they will let you go past your due date asap, and make sure they aren't going to rush the baby out. You will be much happier with your natural birth if you don't have to have pitocin.

Answer

It can be done exactly how you want with an OB in the hospital! 
I was very happy with my OB for my natural hospital birth. He was really laid back, supportive and in favor of whatever we wanted to do. We also used a doula, and labored at home so we weren't at the hospital for any extra unnecessary time. Got there at around 12, had baby just before 1:30. Left our birth preferences in the car lol. Everything went exactly as we wanted. I'm all in favor of hospitals and Obs, as I had an extremely positive experience. 
You have to make sure you find the right doctor/midwife for you. Talk to each one, since you don't know who will be on call, make sure they're on board for your birth preferences. If you're low risk, I don't see why anyone would push you toward any direction other than what you're wanting. Prepare yourself as well. Hypnobirthing, Bradley, both very helpful books in preparation for a natural birth.

Answer

I have a midwife and they are set up like like your current ob ( you see a different one every time.) they're pretty nice and usually just let me do my thing. They asked me about the Flu shot, all I said was im not getting it and they left it at that, they actually care about you as a person always ask if anything new happened and how my fiancé is doing. I used to smoke so they always check and see if he still smokes or if he plans on quitting, they also arent judgmental at all im only 20 so that was EXTREMEY important to me when looking for a provider. My experience with the midwives have been great! I don't always see the same person, but it's nice to know they're all nice! I usually see the practioner and she takes care of most of the paperwork and stuff, but the midwife will come in, answer any questions, and use the Doppler, im currently 13w and I'll see them again at 13w 5d

Answer

I switch from an ob to a midwife at 33 weeks. I only met my delivering doctor twice and was told I was over weight multiple times... I was 30 weeks and weighted 150.. 
So we changed from the hospital to a private birthing center not attached to the hospital. Best decision of my life! Make sure you do your research and have a good labor team(;

Answer

I had a hospital birth with midwives. Very supportive natural birth. I was born at 42 weeks and my son would have been too if I hadn't chosen to do a membrane sweep at 41 weeks, 5 days. An OB would have pushed to induce at 41 weeks.

Answer

I'm in the same boat. I've been seeing an OB and over the past month have decided I want to try to go without an epi. I'm currently 24 weeks along. I'm worried it's too late to switch but I'm going to call a midwife group Monday. I feel crazy for wanting to do this so far along in my pregnancy. I've had two children 9 & 11 years ago and was induced with both. Pitocin is a bear. I really don't want to go that route again unless necessary. And I really think that I could do it without an epi if I wasn't induced. I just don't think my OB will be as supporting as I need. I'm scared the hospital will rush me along also.

Answer

I believe there's some research that midwives are more supportive of natural birth. And have a doula! See if you can find a natural birth group in your area.

Midwife or OB? What did you do with your natural birth?

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