Want to Hear About Midwife Birth Experiences.

Where to begin..... The birth of our Son was incredible. My midwife was incredible. We were both so empowered, we did it ourselves!

I believe the difference is being able to trust your body and intuitions. A midwife is your advocate in helping you achieve just that. You won't have a MD trying to rush your labor to get someone else in your room. Also, no shift changes with nurses and doctors... you always know who is helping you. To some people that is not important, for me it was. I labored for 10 hours and 4 of which my midwife was at my home. I was able to do it myself and listen to my body. I wasn't told how to give birth.

I could go on and on... typing one handed these days!

3 moms found this helpful

I just had a wonderful birthing experience 3 months ago at a birthing center run by midwives. I had a spontaneous rupture of my membranes (water broke early) and the midwife encouraged me to stay home, relax and come when the contractions start coming more frequently, or 12 hours from then. (drs would be more nervous and talk about infection risk and coming early etc.) We ended up going to the birthing center 12 hours later and my midwife checked me and saw that i was 3cm dilated, and then we were able to eat a delicious dinner. (we would not be able to eat a big dinner in the hospital in case you need to get a c-section. I think that gave me a lot of energy for the pushing) I was very comfortable but the contractions were still not too strong. Instead of stressing me out & persuade me to take medication to induce, she asked if i want to try some homeopathic remedies. I said sure, and within 1 minute of taking it, i started gradually feeling the contractions. I was able to move and do whatever i felt i wanted to do- initially on all 4s on the bed and doing some sort of dancing interspersed with deep breathing, and it was great to be able to be "in the driver's seat" and do whatever i felt my body was telling me to do without inhibition but yet know that she is there to help when i need it. She made some suggestions about trying to round my back so that the head could come out easier and then when i felt much more pressure in my sacral area, i wanted to go into the warm water which she encouraged as well. Within a few hours after the first homeopathic dose, our beautiful daughter came out in the water and directly onto my breast. I was able to wait until the cord pulse finished pulsing so that Aya, my daughter could get as much of the blood as possible (not sure if that is allowed in hospitals), and then my husband cut the cord and was also able to hold her to bond while i was getting out of the tub and cleaning up. Then the midwife gave us at least a half hour - just the 3 of us- to bond, connect and just enjoy this special moment as a 3-some. It was so amazing and i know that i wouldn't have as much of a wonderful birth had i been in the hospital. it was so empowering for me to know that i birthed myself (how nature designed it) by trusting what i need to do and with the help & support of an amazing experienced midwife. I also knew that if something needed to be done surgically, then the hospital was close by. I know other mothers who had the same thing as i did (premature breaking of their waters with not much contractions) and they all got induced with medication and it was too strong for them (no pauses betw contractions) that the baby went into distress or the mom got too tired and they had to get a c-section.
Sorry so longwinded. hopefully it will help in terms of you feeling good about birthing at the birthing center. Wishing you a wonderful birthing experience.

2 moms found this helpful

Me, first kid, hospital, second kid, puget sound midwives and birth center, kirkland location. hospital was fine until i exp. birth center which was SOOOO superior. the doctor insisted that I HAD to push even though I didn't feel ready at all and he said I had to dig down deep inside for the super human strength to push beyond the pain and he reproved me when air escaped my mouth and said that was wasted energy that I needed to direct toward pushing. So when I shared my anxiety about knowing when to push with my midwife, she was like, your body will know. you will feel this pushing sensation that will actually be hard if not impossible to stop. I could not relate or fathom this ata ll becaue it never happened with my first. but she was right. I labored, and all of a sudden my body went WHUMP and we all knew, okay, time for the baby to come out. I still had to push but it was completely different. the baby came out when she was ready, whereas the doctor decided according to his own timetable when I should be pushing.

there are many other differences; the hospital insisted I hook up an iv, "just in case," which meant I could not walk around or use the tub. so I HAD to have the baby the way that was most convenient to THEM -- on my back. At the time I accepted this, but now that I've done midwives, I know how much better it is to have choices. I had my second floating in water with my back cradled by my husband's chest. closest thing to heaven on earth.

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I do have a caveat, which is that i haven't used a midwife - i've only had one birth so far. However, reading through the responses i'm struck by a few things:
1) it is the quality of the doctors/midwives that affects the care, not necessarily the location. (The mom whose midwife pulled on the placenta too hard - that sounds more like a care issue, than an inherent problem. So, lesson - if you go midwife, be sure to choose one with lots of experience and good recommendations, and who is conservative about when to recommend more medical intervention. The woman whose doctor and nurses were cruel in the hospital - thats a care-giver problem, not something that is encouraged by the hospital.)
2) A lot of people who gave birth with a midwife at home or in a center seem to make assumptions that the hospital never would have allowed them the freedom they experienced at these other places. However, i don't think this is a fair assumption. In my hospital birth i had doctors and nurses who were compassionate, who payed attention to my birth plan, who encouraged me to try laboring in a tub, and to use as many positions as i felt like i needed. While i chose to have an IV based on my medical condition, this did not prevent me from moving, walking, etc. They did remove the IV for the tub, leaving in only the port. I was really pleased with my experience in the hospital, and i also believe that every procedure that was used would have been recommended by a competent midwife if i were with a midwife instead of my doctor. (I did consult with a an ex-midwife friend on many of the larger decisions, and she backs this up.)

My take away from my experience is that, more important than where you give birth, is who you give birth with. Your ideal person will not be the same as my ideal person, and vice versa, but what we can say generally is that trusting your caregiver, and being able to have (sometimes difficult) discussions with your caregiver, is going to get you a lot further than any generic approach.

Anyway, good luck!

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I see you've received lots of positive responses about midwife assisted birth, but I thought I'd go ahead and add mine to them! I've had two home births with the same midwife and assistant and, barring any complications, I would never consider any other way. I can't emphasize enough how grateful I was to be at home. The comfort of the familiar environment alone was greatly helpful, I'm sure. Also, the presence of the midwife throughout labor was such a blessing. She was not in a rush, didn't have any other births to attend (as may happen in a hospital) and could devote her entire attention to my labor. Yet, she was very laid back and offered encouragement and suggestions only as needed. I also felt very confident in my midwife's ability to know when a situation was beyond her expertise and it was necessary to go to the hospital. She's been doing this for 35 years and knows her limits! One other thing, for the first week after the birth, the midwife would come to my home to attend me and the baby so we didn't even have to go anywhere. What a blessing! All in all, I'm a huge proponent of home birth and would recommend it without reservation!! It's the best!

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Hi H.,

I had a waterbirth at Andaluz Waterbirth Center 3 years ago and I am so grateful! I started out being the typical first time mom. I went to an OB and got the ultrasounds, planned on an epidural, etc, etc. But at around 4 months, I started worrying about the pain to a huge degree (you know how everyone loves to give horror stories to new moms!)

I started researching pain relief, epidurals, etc on the internet and started discovering all the negatives and side effects of drugs and medications during childbirth. I also learned how each intervention would snoball into another one which gives us (the USA) one of the highest c-section rates, infant and mortality rates compared to other industrialized countries. It was shocking and terrifying!

As I continued to search, I found a few referrences to waterbirth and it being like an "aquadural." Women kept talking about how great they felt as soon as they got in the water and how it helped them relax and allow their core muscles to do all the work.

I brought up waterbirth to my OB and she had a fit and basically said if I went that route she would not be my doctor. So I walked out and never went back. I met with the midwives at Andaluz, they have a free hour long consultation where they show you videos, give you a tour and examine you and check on the baby (all non-invasive). My husband and I fell in love and knew that was the place for us.

A week before my due date, my water broke at 1:30 am. I waited until morning and called my midwife as contractions were barely starting and irregular. She told me to check my temperature and watch for any signs of distress every 4 hours since my water had broke, but since it was a small trickle at that point and I was able to drink plenty of fluids and everything seemed fine, we just waited for labor. All day my contractions went from 34 minutes apart to 4 minutes apart (back and forth!). We cleaned the house, my parents came over, we cooked, went for a walk up and down the street. Nothing seemed to help, so around 8 pm, I called my midwife and asked her what I should do. She said send everyone to the living room to watch a movie and that I should go to bed and try to rest as labor typically starts at night for many women. So off to bed I went and an hour later, I was definitely in full labor with strong and steady contractions. I called her backa nd she said to come to the birth center in an hour.

We all went over there and when we walked in, I was so comfortable! The bed is a 4 poster bed with a huge tub in the room. The lights were dimmed, candles were lit, soft music was playing and the tub was full and warm.

I labored there all evening. From 10 pm until my daughter came at 5:30 am. In that time, I was free to eat (wasn't really hungry), drink, use the restroom, walk around, use a birthing ball, get massages, etc. The midwives checked the baby and I frequently, but in such a gentle and non-invasive way, I was unaware of their presence through much of the process. The only thing I knew was that they were awesome at putting pressure on the right spot on my lower back to help through the back labor I was experiencing.

I remember suddenly pushing. One of the midwives asked me if I was pushing and I wasn't sure until the next urge and then we all got excited. I remember getting to a point where I thought I can't do it and then remembered them telling me that when a woman says she can't do it, wants pain medicine, etc, etc, they would get really excited because it means the baby was coming right then! It renewed my energy and I was able to push my baby right out. It was hard and painful, but the hormonal release between contractions and after the birth worked as a very effective amnesiac for me and I could hardly remember how painful it was until the next contraction. Once the baby was born, the adrenaline took over. My husband and I were both in the tub, they swooped the baby up and put her immediately in my arms and my husband and I just sat the in shock holding our girl for a while.

Finally the midwives had us get out. They helped us dry off and moved us to the bed. One helped me latch the baby on to nurse and that started the delivery of my placenta which came easily. After that, I was quickly and gently examined and we were all tucked in bed together. My husband, daughter and I. We slept very soundly and I enjoyed 2.5 days being pampered and resting in absolute peace. My husband was worried I wouldn't ever go home!

Now we are expecting twins, so a birth at the birth center is not an option, so we are doing a homebirth. This was not an option before as I never considered a homehomebirth as it seemed safer to be ina birth center as s first time mom and our house was being remodeled, so it was too dirty and there were men coming and going constantly.

Now it seems perfect and ideal. Plus my daughter can be in the comfort of her home surrounded with her toys and distractions as I labor and she will be able to come in for the birth of her siblings. We are very excited and I wouldn't do it any other way!

The midwives were all extremely competent and I trust them. If they told me I needed to transfer to a hospital I wouldn't have a problem as it would be in the best interest of our health, but as long as things are safe and normal, I wouldn't go near a hospital to do something natural that they view as medicalized.

I will always look back on the birth of my daughter and every aspect brings a smile to my face. It was very beautiful!

A.

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H. - Having had three very different birth experiences, I can tell you that I got more "natural" and unassisted with each, and each one was better than the last. I can't praise my midwife-assisted delivery at the Puget Sound Birth Center enough! It was SUCH a wonderful experience when compared with my first delivery in a hospital. And the difference is from start to finish.

It is not a scary medical procedure in a birth center. It is a calm, peaceful, joyful life experience where you are in charge rather than the nurses and doctor.

A midwife is so well equipped to handle complications, and is happy to ask for help should she need it. She has to have 100 births under her belt by the time she can be certified, so she's seen many situations. You know how many a doctor has to have before his/her first delivery? NONE!!! A midwife isn't going to intervene unless she has to, whereas at a hospital they'll try to "help" before you need it, often causing stress and problems.

I would recommend watching the movie "The Business of Being Born". You can check out a clip on the website and you can borrow the movie from your local library. It gives you a good picture of the differences between hospital and home birthing philosophies and experiences.

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My OB/GYN has his practice with a midwife and she was on call for both of my births. I still delivered in the hospital but had the midwife experience. For my second birth I also had my Lamaze coach with me, which was a great. Since I didn't deliver with a OB I have nothing to compare my births to. However, my insurance didn't cover as much as they would have if a doctor would have delivered my baby, It was something we should have fought, but I was so focused on my baby that I didn't get it handled. Its something I would recommend looking into. I still would do it exactly the same, I really had great birth experiences.

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First, H., congratulations on your upcoming birth!

I had all three of my daughters at home with midwives, the last two were water births. I was so inspired the first time that I began studying midwifery myself, as well as perinatal counseling, and have attended many births of a wide variety of moms, family styles, religious backgrounds, and settings--hospital, free-standing birth center, and home.

The most important thing, I believe, is that the mother feel very, very comfortable with her choice of birth place and care provider. You can meet 10 different midwives and find 10 different personalities--because midwifery care is continuous care (you will NOT be handed over to nurses or see your midwife only at the last minute to help get the baby out) and you will spend many hours with her, you will want to interview a number of midwives until you know you have found someone you trust and can ask the hard questions of. It is also important that she be able to ask questions of you and get an honest answer, so you will really want to assess how trusting you feel with each person you interview. It becomes a very deep relationship, unlike that with most OB's.

How does midwifery differ from obstetrics? There is a completely different "frame" of what birth is. The midwifery model acknowledges that woman's body is uniquely and perfectly made to do the work of giving birth, and while this is a major and important life event that requires care and skilled support, it is NOT in itself a medical situation unless there is a problem that develops. Midwives are very well trained to manage health pregnancy and birth, and are equally trained to continually monitor for any signs of developing problems in either mom or baby. Midwives also have the skills and equipment to handle most birthing emergencies themselves, and also to know when to refer out to an obstetrician in a timely way--meaning in time for intervention to be possible given where the mother is giving birth. A major part of why midwives have such great birthing statistics for healthy babies and moms is that they truly get to know you and can see many things developing long before they become a bad problem, and can avert problems--avoiding most interventions with drugs, surgery, or other very typical hospital interventions.

While many hospitals are finally listening to parents and even to midwives in some cases, there will ALWAYS be malpractice insurance based protocols that will require certain things that are NOT evidence-based to be good for mom and baby and that ARE proven to cause more problems. Some of these things are time limits for labor, artificial rupture of membranes, continuous electronic fetal monitoring, immediate cord cutting, removal of the baby from you immediately after birth to a warmer across the room where the baby is suctioned, examined, weighed, etc, automatically without regard to his/her emotional state upon birth, even when there are no indications of a medical problem requiring them. Since these things can all LEAD to problems in and of themselves, which then may require other interventions, you can rapidly find yourself no longer in control of your own birth or the care of your baby.

With a midwife centered birth--whether at your own home or in a birth center--you will be allowed to labor in your own time frame, without intervention unless there are signs of problems developing which require hurrying things up. IF such a situation develops, the method that works with the least potential for harm will be used. There is no automatic rupture of membranes, for example--which can be very dangerous if the baby's head is not well engaged in your pelvis, and which I have seen again and again in hospitals. But, since rupture of membranes CAN bring on labor more strongly, it is held back as a possible method--only with extreme care and only if absolutely confirmed it will be safe, and ONLY if much less interventive methods, such as walking, squatting, herbs, and just plain giving you and your husband some space, haven't worked.
Instead of being forced to push holding your breath with someone counting, etc, which can rupture blood vessels and leave you absolutely exhausted, you will be encouraged to push your baby out gently, often in an upright position well supported by others, and even capable of touching your baby's head or even helping catch your own baby--with plenty of support by the midwife, of course.
Rather than immediately cutting the cord--a situation that unnecessarily creates an emergency response in your baby, since his/her life support system has suddenly been removed before he/she has fully transitioned to breathing on his/her own--a midwife will wait patiently until the cord stops pulsing, and only then will it be cut, ensuring your baby the richest supply of blood and oxygen from you until his/her system is fully ready to take over.
Your baby will be placed on your belly immediately, where any necessary care can usually take place, instead of whisked off to the other side of the room where all you will hear is your baby crying for you in a moment where every bit of yours AND your baby's need is to be close.

Most midwives will not do as one woman here reported with the placenta--it is normal to allow the baby to begin breastfeeding and the mother's contractions for her placenta to work on their own with just a little pushing. If a midwife attempted to pull a placenta out, it is likely there was some problem with the mechanisms of the mother's uterus and it was not detaching properly--if that is the case, an OB quite possibly would have caused the same problem. Yes, there are emergencies that can happen suddenly with ANY care provider in ANY setting, but they are no more likely with a midwife and often are less likely because the mother's system is encouraged and supported rather than forced artificially.

I personally would never consider a hospital birth for my own children unless there was a problem with the baby or myself that prevented me from birthing normally. If that were the case, I would still insist on midwifery care.

I could tell you three absolutely beautiful homebirth stories of my own children, and many many stories of others if you want...but it would take far too long to tell here. You can send me a message, though, if you would like to hear more.

Blessings,
Fiora

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I had my first in a hospital in Chicago, with a midwife. I had great care but I did not like being in the hospital and having so many people around me. The nurses drove me crazy. We moved to Portland and I just had my second in February with Alma Midwifery. The birth team is 3 midwives and I had the best care.

I loved being at home because I was so relaxed and comfortable. I trusted the midwives. When my water broke and she wasn't born for 4 days... many of our friends told us to go to the hospital. But they never checked my dilation so no bacteria was ever introduced, I was in my house so nothing was new to my system. The birth was amazing, it was exactly what I wanted and how I had imagined it. The midwives were there for us but my husband and I pretty much did everything by ourselves until the end. I was worried about how strong the contractions would get, but they didn't even come close to how painful they were in the hospital with my first. They were not painful this time just uncomfortable. The active labor was only 4 hours. Then the midwives cleaned up and made us dinner and tucked me into my own bed. They came over 1,3 and 7 days post partum.

My cord was tight around her neck and they had to give her some oxygen, but they were so calm I was not worried. She is a happy, healthy 7 month old now.

In my experiences and what other people have told me, most midwives will not hesitate to go to the hospital.

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Oh there are HUGE differences! I had all 3 of my kids at home with midwives present and I would never do it any other way unless the baby and/or I were not healthy!

You can read my actual birth stories on my blog here:
http://mommyintimeout.blogspot.com/

The main differences are your quality of care and your personal relationship with your care provider. You truely become family with a midwife and that just doesn't happen with an OB. The length of time they spend with you for every visit and they really focus on you and your health and mental wellbeing as much as they focus on the health of your baby.
The whole way midwives think about babies and birth is different! They see birth as something we are MADE to do instead of something dangerous that will most likely go wrong at any moment and an opportunity for surgery. Every OD is a surgeon..

The "requirements" are different too. You won't be pressured to stay in bed, get pain meds (that often lead to other intervention), get an IV, not eat or drink, push on demand, have bright lights and tons of people you don't know, be away from your baby for any reason, get cut, give your baby eye ointment if you know you don't have an STD, give your baby a Vit K shot when they really don't need it.

I highly recommend you read "Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin!

You can also feel free to ask me anything! ____@____.com

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I had one birth with a midwife in a small hospital and would never see again see an OB for my well-women's or perinatal care. I still see her for my annual check-ups and birth control needs and the personalized attention you get is just such a different experience from seeing a doctor.
It really isn't only the male/female thing, I have had what I have considered good female OB/GYNs before, but having a health care provider who really takes their time and listens to you and more than anything does not talk down to you. Now, there are some good doctors like that out there, though those are hard to find IMO, but even in choosing a midwife, make sure you choose someone you feel comfortable with.
As for my birth experience, I had an unmedicated, natural birth and it was one of the most wonderful, most empowering experiences in my entire life and I would do it again any day!

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Good for you!

I changed to midwifery at 7 or 8 months with my first ... this will probably horrify many, but I didn't really seek prenatal care at all (OK, yes, I actively avoided it) until I was about 6 months along. I thought I'd found a good match with an OB who was herself a homebirth mom but practiced in a hospital I was covered at ... and as far as she goes, we were a pretty good match, but the contracts the hospital required of her were things I couldn't live with. (Plus one of her two nurse midwives was seriously bitchy, probably because I kept questioning the hospital standard of "care.") I was pretty sure (intuitively or whatever) that I was going to go more than a week late (required induction with much higher chance of C-section), and that the labor would be over 24 hours (required C-section). Both of which happened, so I was glad I switched!!

The book that gave me the most strength was Michel Odent's "Birth Reborn." It is so gentle, while also being very specific and facing all the ways that hospital birth virtually guarantees at minimum maternal distress, and realistically also fetal distress (he doesn't state it that way, but when you look at the facts, there it is).

I was working in medical statistical research at the time, which is why I went looking for an MD open to alternatives (natural birth).

I got laughed at (well, giggled at) when I tried to ascertain if the maternity ward had a fetoscope, because I wanted no ultrasound monitoring. The older nurses knew what I was talking about, and thought "there might be one in the cupboard somewhere," but also thought only one of the nurses probably knew how to use one. (Later when I went postdates and had a false start of labor, my midwife sent me home with an extra fetoscope so I could monitor the baby for a few days ... it takes some practice, but it's not hard to do!)

Anyhow, I've had al four kids with midwives. The first two at a clinic near a hospital, since I was a lot more worried about the "something might go wrong" idea (and because, especially for the first one, our home was not a place I could imagine having a baby); the last two were at home ... I wish I had had the courage to do at-home sooner, maybe even with the first one, because all of the advantages of a clinic are just so much more at home: you can control (at least better) who is there (and not there), no strangers, the food *you like and eat* is right there (even if your birth goes long--my first was 38 hours, I hadn't packed for that!!), your clothes, your blankets, are right there ... you don't have to get in a car to go, you don't have to get in a car to come home (the clinic version of this advantage is your support person doesn't have to search in an overcrowded hospital lot for parking after they drop you off at the maternity door) ... for at least one kid I almost forgot to get the carseat before the birth, and planning on being home meant that was a recoverable situation, noone was going to have to go to Babies R Us and purchase a carseat before I could be discharged ;)! (I did end up getting the seat in time ... but with less pressure and stress :).) And you still have no needles, no disrobing in public, light levels under your own control, *actual* choice about ultrasound/fetoscope, consistency of care providers, access to a real bed and a bath (I have to say for my clinic, their jacuzzi was a lot nicer than my bathtub ;)!! ) ... not to mention the floor, a bedframe, the doorframe, chairs ... ;). There's just SOOOOO much less to worry about. A couple of tours of the maternity ward can put you in some level of 'knowing what to expect of your environment,' but not any level like what being at home, or having all of your prenatal checkups in the clinic where you will deliver, provides :).

I had labors of
38 hours, 12 textbook hours, 6ish and 10 ish hours (the last two I don't really remember for sure, but they were pretty short).
At the end of those I had pushing of
4 hours (OUCH), 40 minutes, 2 minutes, and 40 minutes, respectively.

For births 1 and 4 I definitely hit a point where I *understood* why women choose epidurals, and although I think I would have stuck my decision to avoid epidurals even if I were in a hospital, part of the reason I chose midwifery was so if I got too distressed I would still not be *able* to back-choose on that, which I considered an important decision for the well-being of the baby.

My second birth was done with a lower back injury. Choosing my own position (and never once being on my back during labor!) was sure key to that being a very peaceful birth ;)!! By the time I was having #3, I knew enough about my body from the previous two births and the therapies I'd been having for the back injury, that I used the labor and birth to get the greater part of the injury finally straightened out--I can't imagine I would have been able to keep that focus in a hospital (it required not only choosing my physical positions but a lot of emotional and spiritual focus, and definitely required *me* running the show).

The first, 38 hour labor, is the story I trotted out for a long time to help other first-time moms realized that they can do *anything* (I forget which famous birth-rights groups uses the tagline: "Birth is hard. And you can do it")--and that moms need to trust their intuitions ;). Now most of the women I know have had at least one baby; I don't tell the story much anymore.

The last birth, a few months after their Daddy left me, was textbook for "emotional stress causes pain in labor" ... fourth time mommy, but for the first time I went all Hollywood: "I can't DO this anymore!!" "Oh God MAKE IT STOP!" (of course both of which probably were only binding the situation up harder ;) sigh). And yes, that yelling and begging was during "transition" ... that was the first time I really hit the traditional "the moment you think you can't possibly do it anymore is the moment it's almost over" ;). My other transition stages were just, hard, but I met them in acceptance and didn't feel the freakout like I did with the fourth birth ;).

I have never regretted for an instant choosing midwifery. There were bumps and bruises, as in any relationship, and after #2 I changed providers, but midwifery over AMA birth?, absolutely no question, I am glad I chose it, and stuck with it even when challenged. Bringing birth back to nature, bringing women back to their natural power (not power "over," just natural power of existence, where we should be), bringing babies into the world healthy and whole, re-creating an expectation of warmth and welcome, women supporting other women in birth ... midwifery is a beautiful thing. Welcome :).

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I'm the in-betweener type myself...

I had my son @ Evergreen Hospital, through the midwife group with Center for Women's ____@____.com ME that was the best of both worlds...complete medical care right there in case of emergency, but if not needed, then not used. :)

The biggest difference is that my midwife was there with me the whole time. The birthing suite was the same as if I had had an OB instead (huge tub, daybed, birthing bed/chair, room for 20 people -ahem, which I know because at one point there WERE 20 people...believe me my husband and I had words about that-, etc. The same encouragement to "talk a walk" either in the hallways or out in the garden, the same "bring your own : music, food, people, priests, what have you".

But instead of a nurse fetching a doctor when it was time to push, my midwife was there the whole time.

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I had my 2 children with a midwife group in a hospital. I LOVED the midwife experience but I now would NEVER consider a birth anywhere without it being a medical facility. My son was born last December and his delivery was fantastic, 3 pushes and he was out, amazing experience. BUT, when the midwife went to deliver the placenta she pulled too hard and I had what is called an inveted uterus. Basically what it is is she pulled my uterus out inside out. It is VERY rare and life threatening. I lost 40% of my blood volume very quickly and it became a medical crisis. The OB was called and I was taken to surgery as they could not put it back in and keep it there. They had to put me under and give me medications for it to contract to stay in. It was a traumatic experience for me and honestly the whole team working on me looked freaked out, especially the midwife. The OB told me I would not have survived if I was not in the hospital. Although its rare I would never advocate for a birth that is not in a hospital just because "things happen", but that is me. I found my midwives made my birth experience in the hospital very personal and amazing overall. Good luck and congrats!

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I had midwives for both of my children, but they assisted me at the hospital. For my son, I lucked out...we had a family friend that was a certified midwife. Having her there though, eased so much of my stress and tension. The hospital I was at didn't make me feel at ease and having her there turned the tables and made the experience totally worth while. I had decided for my daughter (who I just had on 9/11/09) I wanted a midwife again. I'm glad I made that decision. She delivered my daughter. The comfort you feel is to that of a close friend. The midwife I had matched my personality and gave me an experience I'll never forget. I think it's up to the mother though. I know mothers that prefer their OBGYN to a midwife. Personally, I think a midwife adds a touch of home. :D Good luck and congrats!

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Hi H. - For my first we went to childbirth classes with a midwife and we learned lots. Our insurance did not cover a birth at that facility at the time. Plus with it being my first I really was not "comfortable" with doing a home birth (I could do it now if needed). But my OB/GYN has certified nurse midwifes in their office (everyone in their office is wonderful). My first child was delivered with the midwife at the hospital and my second was "caught" by the hospital nurse (the OB was walking in the room & my son did not wait for anyone).

I have many friends who have used the same midwife we took birthing classes from & they have loved it. They offered their office for births or people can opt for it to be at their home. One thing is to make sure that any midwife that you use has an agreement with a local hospital/doctor if there ends up being a problem (like breach, etc) that requires a c-section. Most births go just fine but it is always good to have a just-in-case plan. Expect the best but plan for the worst and you will be just fine. God Bless

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Congratulations on just making the best decision of your life! You will have a minimal or no-intervention birth that will be satisfying & peaceful with you being in control the entire time (if you don't have serious medical issues, of course). For me having a midwife meant no induction with pitocin (you wait until the labor begins on its own), no episiotomy (the research has shown it is safer to tear), not being confined to bed while laying on my back (I had the freedom of movement during labor & used a variety of positions including squatting to birth my daughter), freedom to eat & drink during labor, minimal number of vaginal exams (the 1st time I got checked was during labor), no counting to 10 during pushing (my bearing down efforts were spontaneous & I pushed for as long as my body told me to - of course, it helps, if are going natural), delayed umbilical cord clamping, & baby on my breast right after birth for skin-to-skin contact. Midwives view birth as a natural process that requires minimal intervention, NOT as a risky medical emergency like OB/GYNs do. You will LOVE having a midwife! I had both of my babies in the hospital. If you decide to go the hospital route, pick a natural-birth-friendly one like Swedish Ballard or Group Health Coop.

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My second born was a midwife assisted home birth. It was nice because once my midwife was there, she was there the whole time unlike my OB who came and went. The really big difference for us was that we didn't have someone interupting us all night after our little girl was born. It was a great experience!

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I didn't have a mid-wife for either birth so can't share that experience with you. However, I applied for a job with a birthing center (in Oregon) and thought they were very well equipped to handle any situation. My only thought would be to make sure they are close to an ambulance service just in case. Had I known about the beauty of the birthing centers it might have changed my delivery plans. Good luck and congratulations.

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i was thinking the same thing myself i would love to here feedback!!!