Some of my friends and family have asked about me mentioning a midwife. I guess we had never discussed what I wanted my birthing experience to be like. Several years ago a co-worker described her midwife experience to me and it sounded really nice. This does not mean I want to have my baby at home, underwater or in a chair. Not that there is anything wrong with those options. But I am all about the hospital and emergency medical care should the need arise. I want a more personal experience than you get with most doctors. I want to hear all of my options and most importantly I want them to hear me. Even though I conceived with IVF that doesn't mean that I shouldn't have as normal as a pregnancy and birth as any other woman. They say a positive outlook is really important during pregnancy. I want a relationship with my caregiver that allows me to feel comfortable and an active part of the decisions made in my care. I don't know a lot about labor & delivery but I have some definite opinions either way about some procedures. I will be giving birth (hopefully) in a hospital, supported by the most important people in my life and seconds away from a doctor if anything happens. That and a healthy baby are my deepest wishes.
I copied the text below from Maternity Wise which describes the role of a midwife.
Midwives are well-suited to care for healthy women who expect to have a normal birth. They provide prenatal care, care during labor and birth, and care after the birth. Many give priority to providing good information to women, involving women in decision-making, and providing flexible and responsive care. Many work to avoid unnecessary tests and treatments; and women under the care of midwives typically are less likely to have a cesarean, an episiotomy, and other interventions than women receiving care from doctors. Some midwives provide continuous support throughout labor and birth, which has many benefits for women, infants, and families and no known risks. Midwives often encourage, are well-informed about, and provide much support for breastfeeding.
http://www.fillorburst.com/mt-tb.cgi/292
You also might want to look into a "doula", which as a recall is slightly different than a midwife, designed to provide more hands-on support.
Midwives Rock as do doulas ( for your own personal support system ).
P.S. Did the lupron burn and ball up under the skin when you took it? And where did you take it? The leg or the arm?
hi alisa :) i absolutely love that you're pg! enjoy every single moment of it - given your previous troubles, who knows when you'll have another chance (and i mean that in the nicest, most sincere way as possible - not as an insult).
hubby and i are planning to start trying in july (just a few short days 'til babymaking begins!) maybe you and i will get the chance to be pregnant together for a few months!?
anyway, what i originally wanted to say is this: i'm an only child (an only female child to boot), so you can imagine the pressure i'm under to produce a grandchild (even though my parents insist they are perfectly okay with us remaining childless, if we so choose - i don't believe them, though).
anyway, hubby and i live in maryland, and my parents live in northern california (approximately 3000 miles away) - and momma does not do airplanes.
we've discussed the whole "birthing center/midwife/doula" thing, and my parents have adamantly vetoed those ideas (except the doula), because, as my mother said (and i quote), "you are not going to give birth anywhere except in a hospital. i don't want to be 3000 miles away, and worrying about your health and safety, as well as that of my only grandchild's."
so, while i think the whole "birthing center/midwife/doula" thing is fabulous and beautiful, and most likely totally relaxing (if you consider labor & delivery relaxing), it will not be an option (for us).
not to mention the fact that i will be passing my 35th birthday during the pregnancy, which magically turns me into a "high risk" pregnancy (having gastric bypass surgery actually turned me into a "high-risker" over two and a half years ago).
i would definately consider a doula though (i have a friend who is a terrific certified doula). my first stop would be the doulas of north america website. on the site, there are discussion boards, as well as a link to finding a doula in your area.
good luck, think happy, healthy baby thoughts, and feel free to contact me anytime :)
a-this is definitely a topic near and dear to me. i was born in a birthing home by a midwife. i was also a cleft palate baby and was immediately rushed to a hospital for icu care and was there for the first few weeks of my little life. my younger sister was born in a hospital. the story goes, that my dad didn't want to take any chances. i think you have a wonderful idea to combine the safety of being in a major medical center if god forbid there are any unforseen complications. however, having a midwife or other non-doctorly support staff who you :know: will be there for you and who you have working with before will, i am sure, be extremely comforting. i have heard many stories of friends and co-workers who's personal doctor for whatever reason couldn't make their delivery. you don't hear these stories about midwives. they will be there. because that is what they do. you are going to have one lucky baby!
i enjoyed reading this entry. my hubby and i are thinking about starting to *try* soon, and i am definitely interested in a midwife and birthing center for a more personal, holistic, natural, and caring approach. my husband is supportive, but maybe a little worried as well. so i was interested to hear the midwife/hospital option. i didn't know you could have a baby in a hospital without an actual doctor being present. is this really true?? i have been looking into a birthing center that is directly across the street from a major hospital, so that is also an option.
Myla, it all depends on your state regulations and the particular hospital. But in many cases, yes, you can deliver in a hospital with a midwife (and doula, if you chose) without a doctor being present. In many situations, a doctor has to be the final "check" on your records, and midwives have to work under the "supervision" of a doctor (ie, there will likely be at least one doctor in a midwifes' office, or they have a doctor who signs off on a pt.s record) but the doc. doesn't need to be around for much.
For instance, my ultrasound had to be reviewed by an MD.
But I'm going the same route - midwife delivery in a hospital. I'm so happy, there's even a jacuzzi tub I can labor in, I can walk around all I want, and I can bring in all sorts of things (music, birthing ball) to make the experience fit me and my baby, instead of some doctor's schedule. :)
I really wanted to have a midwife to deliver our baby. I had a bad doctor/hospital experience last time, and I wanted things to be different. But there was just no way we could afford it and our insurance wouldn't cover it. Luckily we found a doctor that we are very comfortable with, and a different hospital. Here's hoping that things are better this time around!