Any Advice on Hospitals, Ob/gyns, or Midwives?

Congratulations, K.! I had a nurse-midwife with my first. They are no different than an OB/GYN oftentimes, and that was the case with mine.

I had a OB/GYN for my second. She was super, but I really don't like being hooked up to everything.

For my third I plan on using a Midwife (not a nurse/midwife) and a birthing center. I really like the idea of water-births. (I get bad sciatica with my pregnancies. Hopefully it will help that.) If I wasn't in a condo, I would definitely be interested in home birth.

I advise visiting a midwife clinic and have them tell you about the services that they offer. There is probably more than you know. (I didn't -- even after two kids.)

There are also a lot of birthing methods that you can look into. My sis-in-law did Bradley, and that method is very interesting to me (strict diet/physical&mental exercises for coping with pain.) Basic pregnancy books often cover a small blurb about different birthing methods, but the Puget Sound has TONS of resources for pregnant women. Interview some midwives & doulas and find out what how they can enhance and support your birth experience.

Best of luck! And congrats again.

I used the Midwives at Valley with the births of both of my children and I loved them! You see each midwife though out your pregnancy so that by the end you know everyone. With both of my births I went natural and they were a great asset to being able to do that.

We delivered both of our babies at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland with midwives from the Center for Women's Health at Evergreen. There was a team of three midwives in the practice we rotated with for our prenatal visits so when it came time to deliver we were familar with all three. The attention, support, advice and coaching offered during labor was wonderful and we would definately go this route again. For us delivering with midwives in a hospital was a perfect combination. The nurses and staff were amazing too. The Puget Sound Birth Center offers home like births in a birthing center with midwives and would consider it if there was a next time. Neither of these locations are close to you, but perhaps the settings will provide some ideas for you to search for in Seattle. Best of luck!

My advice is not on hospitals, but on setting your birth plan. While I appreciate you wanting a natural delivery, do not feel like you're a failure if you need an intervention. The most important thing is a healthy baby, not how it was delivered.

Be it a ob-gyn or a midwife, you won't be their only patient, so if two or more are in active labor and delivering at the same time, their partner in practice could deliver your baby. They could be out of town or ill, so they always have a back-up plan in place and will introduce you to that possible back-up sometime around your 7th month. Parenthood will introduce you to the 'no guarantees' in life in a big way. You plan for things, make contingency plans and sometimes things just don't go according to those plans. A mid-wife isn't going to know you any better than your ob if you don't talk to her and get to know her and share your entire medical history with her. It's all about communication, regardless of who you go to. A thorough health evaluation is necessary foundation for excellent pre and post natal care and the basis for a good relationship with any care giver. My ob-gyn ended up being my biggest supporter during some very rough times, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when my youngest was 3 yrs old and later that year my Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. It all depends on your ability to communicate your needs and concerns. Listen to your primary care doc, your friends for recommendations for an ob or a mid-wife and make a visit to interview them. You'll know from this first appt whether or not they will be a good match, as they will be interviewing you as well. This is an awesome journey and partnership, one that they want to be successful just as much as you. Congratulations!!! Your life will never be the same, never. And even in the challenging moments you will find joy.

Hi K.. I just had my first child 16 mon. ago. I used a midwife. In the beginning I said I was going to go to Swedish Hospital becasue my doctor, that I had and had delivered me into this world, was there. I was sure that she would deliver my son, BUT I felt like I was just another number to her. Since it was my first child I wanted to feel pampered and like someone was listening to my concerns, excitement and complaints! So I switched to a midwife and planned a water birth in my home. You also have the option of giving birth in the birth center. I LOVED my experience and LOVED my midwife. I actually had two midwives that I got to know very well and I knew one of the two, depending on which one wasn't at another birth, was going to deliver my son. They were very supportive and made me feel comfortable the whole pregnancy and during delivery. I used the "Eastside Birth Center" in Bellevue. The midwives are Christine Thain and Loren Riccio. :)

Initially my plan was to use a midwife with my first. My friend, who was due six months ahead of me, was using one and said she was wonderful. When it came down to labor (she was delivering at home) things didn't go as planned. She ended up in an ambulance and had to go to the hospital for an emergancy C-section. At that point I decided for my first that I wanted to be in a hospital "just in case". I searched and tried a couple of ob/gyns and until I found one I loved. (Dr. Michaels Puyallup) In my case it also was good I was in the hospital. I had a 37 hour labor and wouldnt progress further than a 5.

All we can do is make our best thought out plans and know that kinks will happen. Go meet with numerous different housewives and obs. Most would love to chance to take a couple of minutes and meet with you. It is very easy to see if thier ideals match up with yours. And you will know what is right for you and your baby.

Good luck!!