MD vs CNM

[reedsbaby]

Anyone have any thoughts about certified nurse midwife versus an OB for delivery? The OB practice I use has both.

[GeekMom1213]

I had a midwife for my first baby and I'd never choose an MD as a replacement. Fewer unnecessary interventions, not nearly as many "routine" but useless prenatal tests (I think they tested my urine twice, might have been just once, and very minimal blood tests), no continuous monitoring during labor or stressing me out about progression (I pushed for over 3 hours med-free, as a nurse I don't know a single MD who wouldn't have insisted on an "emergency" c-section after 2 hours but my little man was healthy as could be and I managed just fine though most people would have said I couldn't do it at that point) oh and my midwife sat at my feet and did perineal massage for hours to help ensure that I wouldn't tear... even with a 9lb baby I didn't have a single skid mark.
Probably actually going with a CPM as opposed to a CNM for the second time around because I want a home birth and there aren't any CNMs around here who do those deliveries.

[wayfunmommy]

I prefer the midwife. They spend more time with you. They are with you for the entire time you are in labor and delivery. Most docs  are only in there after you have been pushing for a bit. Midwives take a lot more time to explain what happens in all of the stages of pregnancy, labor and delivery.  They are less likely to use interventions.  They spend more time with you after delivery where your doc will leave after placenta is delivered.
Midwives had lower induction rates. They also, with healthy moms, have a 1% nation wide (US) rate of c section compared with 30% for MDs.