Natural Minded OB/GYN? Midwife?

I'm a midwife, and I'm actually about to join the group of midwives that deliver at Norwalk Hospital. As far as I know, there are none that deliver at Stamford or Greenwich. But, as folks have said, a midwife might not be as big a move as you imagine. Most midwives are actually nurse-midwives, deliver babies in hospitals, and work closely with OBs in case of emergency. The main difference is philosophy and frequency of intervention. We have safety statistics that are the same or better than the docs, so you don't have to feel that you are taking on any additional 'risk' to get the kind of care you want. A good resource on the web is

http://www.mymidwife.org/

and a good book is Henci Goer's 'The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth"

http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Womans-Guide-Better-Birth/...

I suggest you look into working with a midwife. I am pregnant with my second and I am going again with a midwife. The quality of care and time you get (not being rushed through your appointment) is priceless.

Hi J.,
I started off with a midwife and ended up with Dr. Reiss at Greenwich Hospital because of complications. Dr Reiss was the back up Dr for my midwife and also specializes in fertility. The fact that he backs a a home birth midwife makes him not only aware of but more open minded to natural childbirth. His # is ###-###-#### and he delivers at Greenwich hospital. Hope this helps but the other comments are right if you truly want a natural experience a midwife is the best because they are trained in natural delivery and 90% of hospital births have some kind of intervention. I have a 6 month old and would love the name and # of your pediatrician! I have been searching for someone just like that an MD but also does homeopathy and chinese medicine.

Dr. Russell Turk is in Riverside, I believe. He actually has a naturopath associated with his practice. I considered him for my birth, but ended up switching to a midwife from another OB. Dr. Turk is affiliated with Stamford Hospital; I'm not sure if it's affiliated with Greenwich. I liked him after interviewing and would have chosen him if I didn't choose a midwife. I found him through an ad in one of the free holistic papers I picked up at Whole Foods. He also has a website, but I no longer have the address. It may be Riversideobgyn, but just Google his name.

I don't have a doctor rec for you, but based on what you posted, you are definitely looking for a midwife. The only thing a midwife can't do it a C-section. I know you said you didn't think you were ready, but for what you are looking for, a midwife is the way to go. OR, see if you can find an OB practice that has a midwife in it. Mine is in Sleepy Hollow, so too far from you, but it's 2 OBs and a midwife. I think in a set up like that the docs are generally more into natural choices and options - I know mine were.

Good luck!

Check out the movie, the business of being born. www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com
You gut is telling you to make a change, at the very least, you should interview some midwives and moms who have given birth with the help of midwives.

After my first dissapointing birth experience, I too, was not "ready" to go with a midwife. After child #2 and more of the same disempowering medical over-intervention silliness, I went with a group of midwives at a birth center for #3. It was the most healing thing I could have done and I wish I had moved to midwives a lot earlier.

Start looking! I'm sure there are excellent midwives in Greenwich, I know there are in Westchester!

"natural minded and ob/gyns" as you mentioned in the beginning of your request is a contradiction. they are trained to intervene and look for problems. most ob/gyns look at birth as a medical procedure. if you want a natural birth and a provider that's supportive of it not just tolerant of it, then you're looking for a midwife. you should talk to some, it may not be as big of a "move" as you think. feel free to write me if you want to discuss further.

I think, ultimately, what you're looking for is a midwife. However, if you like your pediatrician you can ask him/her for a recommendation. Also, if you contact Doulas in your area they work with so many doctors and hospitals, they often have connections.
Good luck!