These are great guide lines for interviewing an OB or midwife. With my first, I was seeing a midwife and I connected with her immediately. I met with her twice at her office where she had a birthing center and was also where her husband practiced as a family physician and it was also where they lived! Very professional, yet so comfortable. Unfortunately she was involved in an accident and she had to retire. I was so disappointed but she had a back-up midwife who took her place and is now my midwife for the 3rd time. :) I still see the first midwife from time to time when I go for check-ups (like checking for infections or ultrasounds) She is just an OB but doesn't deliver anymore.
Everything happens for a reason and I couldn't be happier with my midwife now. She understands me, never pressures me to do anything, and believes birth happens naturally. She now has a birthing room off of her house and I delivered my second son there since hubby isn't ready for our own home birth experience just yet.
It's very important to trust and feel comfortable with your care provider. With this pregnancy, I thought I wanted to go elsewhere for care, well I learned very quickly who was I most comfortable with and I switched back. I felt bad at first for leaving the other place, but I'm glad I stepped out to see and now I realize I have a great midwife and no one understands my concerns quite like she does.
She is a certified midwife who works with an OB in case a patient needs to go to the hospital. I love the idea of being completely out of the normal medical picture, but it's there if I need it. Best of both worlds in my mind.
My midwife only checks for dilation if there was a bloody show or if you are experiencing too many contractions. With my first, she didn't check me until I was 36 weeks, which is when I had my bloody show.
Another great thing is she is always willing to work out a payment plan with us. We don't have insurance and she has a set rate, but in this economy we couldn't afford her rate. I asked her if x amount of dollars was okay, and she completely agreed to it and as long as it's paid before 37 weeks, no worries. I love how she is about birthing babies safely and naturally, answering my questions and truly caring about me, rather than just caring about the amount of money she is going to make. Most OB's care about the money, and don't have your best interest in mind. That is something to remember as well.
I think I went on enough. :) I really hope most of us can achieve our goal of a natural birth and enjoy our experiences. Just remember, it's your baby and your pregnancy, like Joy said, it's okay to say "NO!" if you are not comfortable at any time in your pregnancy.
This will be my 3rd natural delivery, hopefully, and anyone can feel free to ask me questions as well. I may have done this twice before, but I don't quite feel like a pro just yet. ;)
Joy,
Very very good information. Your so right, your doctor/midwife should never make you feel like a child or push unnessesary testing/labwork. I see a Midwife with this little one. She is great, but its not like I can call her up personally if i have a question. :( I wish the office I go to would be more personal, but around here its a little hard to find someone who puts the time and effort into knowing their patients.
With DD I saw a midwife up until I got protein in urine, and they immidiately sent me an Ob/gyn. I ended up seeing him from six months to delivery. He actually sent me over to get induced, and throughout my labor popped in twice to see how I was doing. Not once did he "come" into my room, Just opened the door and said hello. A MIDWIFE ended up delivering my baby girl. I dont understand how some people say they want an "ob" to deliver their baby..... DO YOU ACTUALLY HAVE SAY IN THAT? Thats what confuses me the most.
ANYWAYS fast-forward to today. Im 29 wk pregnant with a little boy, and I plan to let labor come on its own, unless any complications arise of course. I am seeing a midwife, not because I "think" she'll deliver my baby, but because she also seems very personal at my appointments and I always have a pleasant time speaking to her. She is very straightforward with all the questions I ask her, where my OB (with DD) would only say "well we'll see....."
Theres a big difference in both, Im sure there is good and bad everywhere. Just like there are good and bad pediatricians. I feel comfortable with my midwife and I like where Im at right now. =o)
I wish I would of known all this before I had my daughter. I hate that the Ob that I had pushed me to brake my water at 3 cm and to stick me in the bed when i got there and start an iv drip and start continuous fetal monitoring. When he broke my water my labor slowed and almost stopped. I was put on poticin and rather than wait on me to progress after he said it would be 6 hrs he came in an hour later said she wouldnt fit and made me have a c-section. I will never go there again and I will make sure no one else does. He also wouldnt listen to me or talk to me b/c I was a younger mother.