Midwife or MD?

I was wondering how many of you have opted for a midwife or a doctor. Could you also post why you made that choice? Also, does age of the mother/risks affect your choice?

Thanks everyone!

Some interesting reading on the topic: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...ub=CTVNewsAt11

The study compared at-home births to low-risk hospital births and found:

* Five per cent of the women at home needed epidurals, compared to 63 per cent in hospital;
* Two per cent of women needed episiotomies, compared to 33 per cent in hospital; and
* Forceps were needed in one per cent of women, compared to two per cent in hospital.

"It is the most definitive study to date," said co-author Betty-Anne Daviss.

"The risk for home births is very similar to hospital birth, but you have one-tenth to one-half the intervention, so a lot of the caesareans being done, a lot of the forceps being done in hospital, are not really necessary."

Although the article is mainly about home delivery with the help of a midwife, there is one other option that should be considered: hospital delivery with a midwife. That works around the objection of the doctor at the end of the article, as well.

(It's easy for me to suggest a more natural delivery without being drugged up... I'm not the one that has to experience any pain! )

doctor for us.

Why? didn't even care about researching any alternatives really...

I did my research, but ultimately decided on a doctor, because of the associated likelihood of a c-section with twins. Our first singleton will likely be born at home, in a birthing tub, with a midwife.

We used a doctor. If something goes wrong, I'd rather be at the hospital. Plus, you don't have to clean everything after..

Originally Posted by Rehan

Some interesting reading on the topic: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...ub=CTVNewsAt11

Although the article is mainly about home delivery with the help of a midwife, there is one other option that should be considered: hospital delivery with a midwife. That works around the objection of the doctor at the end of the article, as well.

(It's easy for me to suggest a more natural delivery without being drugged up... I'm not the one that has to experience any pain! )

Interesting...but does this also speak to the 'profile' of the woman who chooses a mid-wife over the hospital....

Originally Posted by skanji

Interesting...but does this also speak to the 'profile' of the woman who chooses a mid-wife over the hospital....

Midwives and hospitals aren't mutually exclusive.

By choosing a mid-wife you have all the options you would have if you had a doctor. Including hospital birth; drugs etc.

They only work with low risk pregnancies; if there is any concerns or risks there is an immediate transfer of care.



You do get consistent care ( same mid-wife throughout, no shift changes) and lots of post-partum care. Home visits etc.

It is also covered by OHIP.

The study compared at-home births to low-risk hospital births and found:

* Five per cent of the women at home needed epidurals, compared to 63 per cent in hospital;
* Two per cent of women needed episiotomies, compared to 33 per cent in hospital; and
* Forceps were needed in one per cent of women, compared to two per cent in hospital.

"It is the most definitive study to date," said co-author Betty-Anne Daviss.

"The risk for home births is very similar to hospital birth, but you have one-tenth to one-half the intervention, so a lot of the caesareans being done, a lot of the forceps being done in hospital, are not really necessary."

That's cuz all the high risk pregnancies are handled in a hospital.
Since only low risk is done at home so you would expect these kind of results.

Originally Posted by dlander

That's cuz all the high risk pregnancies are handled in a hospital.
Since only low risk is done at home so you would expect these kind of results.

You might have skipped over the first part of what I quoted:
"The study compared at-home births to low-risk hospital births"

I cracked 2 ribs a month before delivering and had to be in the hospital for the birth.

I wanted a tubal with #2, so I went the ob/gyn route for that...didn't end up having it (too young ), but with #3 had yet another c-section and had it done!!

I had a OB with my previous births and have opted for a midwife this time around. Truthfully the difference is night and day - the level of care/compassion etc. that I'm receiving with my midwife is amazing. I also love the fact that I *know* who will be at my delivery.

We are planning a homebirth and the midwife brings along all sorts of equipment in case of an emergency. We are also registered at two hospitals in case we have to transfer there for whatever reason.

Kelly

Originally Posted by Rehan

Some interesting reading on the topic: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...ub=CTVNewsAt11
* Five per cent of the women at home needed epidurals, compared to 63 per cent in hospital;
* Two per cent of women needed episiotomies, compared to 33 per cent in hospital; and
* Forceps were needed in one per cent of women, compared to two per cent in hospital.

We decided on a doctor, but I made sure that my wishes would be followed-ie. no pain meds, no episiotomy, etc. With my two pregnancies, I saw three different OB's and all were very willing to do things the way I wanted to. Even though I had very positive experiences with my OB's, if I were to do it again (and I'm not) I think I'd go with a midwife. My pregnancy/birthing philosophy tends to follow that of midwives moreso than OB's.

Doctor for us, since I always knew that I would not tolerate the pain, so getting an epidural from a midwife would not be an option Plus with our twins, you don't really have a choice

For baby #1, I used a family doc. For baby #2 -- I had a midwife but ended up having to *mostly* have care transferred because I ended up with gestational diabetes.

For both births I was in the hospital. Some people assume that if you choose midwife it means you are at home and that is completely incorrect... you have the choice.

I found a huge difference with midwifery care. Definitely more caring/compassion BUT the biggest difference, for me, was the level of information. The midwives gave me way more information on just about everything. I also felt extremely comfortable with them and built a closer relationship.

Even though my care was transferred my midwives were still with me at the hospital in more of a supportive "doula" type role.

The other nice thing was that after the birth -- there were 3 home visits for the baby... this was nicer than having to get up and trudge out (especially in the cold weather!)