Midwife or OB?

[T_soon_2B_mom_of_5]

I'm on baby #5 always had an OB but always wanted a midwife, what is the difference between the two? And also I've always had to be included after my labor started because as soon as they would break my water my labor would stop but I really think they just probably weren't ready, I delivered all but my last at 37weeks so with that will a midwife even see me?

[Heatherm4]

Midwife for sure! You'll find I bet that you'll have a completely different experience and I bet you won't have to be induced.

[sorenr]

I think you will find that a midwife will agree with you that without the interventions you may not have had such a difficult time. I certainly believe that my problems were caused by the intervention and I was already overdue. I know that loads of folk have a much easier time with inductions etc than you and I did, but I personally wouldn't be happy with another unless it became necessary. Good luck with your midwife search, I hope you get the chance to experience the kind of delivery you want :)

[T_soon_2B_mom_of_5]

I've always wanted a midwife because I was under the impression they are more likely to not medically intervene unless necessary, but have been told that because of my difficult labor I wouldn't be able to see one, it's my feeling that my labor wouldn't have been so difficult if I'd had support in the first place instead of everyone, including family, down my throat to get an prodigal and the doctors and nurses in such a hurry to disrupt my natural process of labor, thank you that makes me feel better about seeking a midwife, hopefully my last birth will finally be what I wanted from the beginning

[stacey10]

as long as your pregnancy is progressing normally, theres no reason why you cant have a midwife, I've had all of my babies with a midwife, no doctor at all, they have been all active, drug free births, for me, midwives are less likely to jump for intervention straight away, unless its really needed, they should encourage you to be up off the bed during labour and delivery, so for me I always choose a midwife :)

[sorenr]

I would think a midwife would be perfectly happy to see you. I have only ever been under the care of midwifes and I definitely give my last one full credit for making my last delivery so special. With my first child, I was sent to a hospital 3hrs away from home (the nearest with a proper maternity unit) and ended up under a consultant who decided to induce me, I ended up with a forceps delivery and a 3rd degree tear. My second was a very quick labour (I only made the short journey to the small local hospital...and nearly didnt make that!!) and the midwife knew my history of tearing and as I had seen her throughout my pregnancy she also knew my fears of it happening again...she helped me so much with my delivery that I didnt need a single stitch, apparently I had a small graze, no more. I had such a wonderful experience that this time I hope to give birth at home, I will have 2 midwives with me and I have much more faith in them than any doctor when it comes to childbirth, obviously if necessary we will move to the hospital, we dont live too far away. Go for it, I've loved all my midwives, they are such a wonderful support