Comments on: Seeing a midwife does not mean I’m giving birth in a hut in the woods

By: Janna

Janna — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 15:27:43 +0000

Great post! I had an OB who at first was hesitant about natural birth, but was won over by the end and had a wonderful birthing experience. I have had dozens of insensitive comments about “opposing” modern medicine and why I would “choose to go through the pain.” I was saddened that I had to have an emergency C-section with my second pregnancy, but my twins were very pre-term and complications were snowballing. I still encourage women to think about what THEY want and make educated choices. I always say if you choose epidural, OB’s, hospital, home birth, or midwives, just make sure it’s YOUR choice, not what you have been TOLD to do. Thanks for the shoutout to those who opt to take an active role in their childbirth experience.

By: Carla

Carla — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 15:40:22 +0000

Great post! I love the idea of a midwife, but I’m staying with an Ob because I had one pregnancy that ended on the high-risk side of things. Luckily, my experience has included two really great Obs–and neither were opposed to natural births. They were both very supportive and let me make the decisions necessary.

~Carla

By: Vanderbilt Wife

Vanderbilt Wife — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 02:55:37 +0000

I really appreciate this post! I can’t believe how many people have asked me if I am having a homebirth when I tell them I am with a midwife. I just explain that my birth with Libbie was really scary and I don’t want to repeat that.

I actually thought all midwives were super natural-birth friendly. Mine is not, really. Not that’s she against it–she is just not crunchy granola, like I expected her to be! I should have interviewed some people, but went by a suggestion instead.

By: Veronica

Veronica — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 23:59:28 +0000

Are u kidding – people from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s were all having home births. But what about those of us with high risk pregnancies. My first birth – swallowed meconium – couldn’t breathe.
My second delivery – I hemorraghed, lucky me my third delivery was vaginal breach. Sorry I’ll take a doctor and a hospital anytime

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:36:57 +0000

In reply to Amy.

Amy – It seems that attitudes about midwives are also much different in the UK. Midwives are much more common there, as well. I’m not sure where the idea that midwives are inferior came from in the United States, but it’s prevalent here.

I saw an OB for the first half of my pregnancy and switched to a midwife for the second half. Obviously, I can’t judge all care providers based on this limited experience, but I will say that I definitely have preferred the care I received from my midwives over the care I received from an OB. Based on this experience, I would certainly say midwives are better.

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 07:44:13 +0000

Its so weird to see how different the US is from other countries. I am currently pregnant and living in Australia. In Australia, you have gov’t healthcare…which means you can have all of your dr. visits and the birth covered 100% and not pay a penny, but you see a midwife. Sometimes I think they are even better than OBs. When I tell people in the states I am planning a natural water birth in a birthing centre with midwives, they think I am crazy!! It’s the norm here. Why would you pay $3-5K to give birth with an OB, when you can do it for free with a midwife? So here in Oz, people see Midwives as equals, not as less superior than a OB. I say, good luck with YOUR birth…it’s yours and your hubby’s…it’s not anyone else’s to judge or tell you what to do.

By: Carla

Carla — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 06:17:38 +0000

Great explanation, Karen.

I agree with Corinne, you are just talking about CNMs. But I also agree with Susan, CPMs are licensed in many states and not “illegal”. Most providers who practice as midwives, whether a CNM or CPM, have training in childbirth and obstetric emergencies.

Current CNM student,
Carla

By: Susan Peterson

Susan Peterson — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:30:27 +0000

Corinne, It is not only CNM’s who have training. There are Certified Professional Midwives who also have training, but who didn’t become nurses first. Quite a few states have licensing requirements for them and it is legal for them to attend home births. This varies from state to state.
Some midwives have this training and a great deal of experience, but live in states where the state does not recognize the training. Anyone who wants to use such a midwife should find out what her qualifications and experience are, for sure. But just because someone isn’t licensed doesn’t mean she doesn’t know what she is doing.
If a CPM moved from a state which licenses her to one which doesn’t, would she thereby become unqualified?
There are risks in all birth settings, and people who practice dangerously no matter what initials they have after their names!
Susan Peterson

By: Corinne

Corinne — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:13:41 +0000

I think it needs to be made clear that you are talking about CNMs (Certified Nurse Midwives) who are highly trained and licensed. In some states anyone can call themselves a midwife, and I think that’s where a lot of people get their stereotypes about midwifery, and in those cases you can be taking a huge risk with your and your baby’s life. In Indiana only CNMs are allowed but a quick google search comes up with several “midwives” who have no official training and are operating illegally.

By: jonathanwthomas

jonathanwthomas — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:30:31 +0000

The wife and I recently watched a series about a birthing unit in the NHS in the UK and it was very interesting. They do things completely different in the UK. Most birthing units are pretty much run by Midwives who are there for the entire process. There’s only a doctor involved if there’s a problem – and it would have to be a serious one. It was nice to see that a midwife stays with the woman the whole time during labor.

They also do something kind of strange – they give women laughing gas to help them breathe and relax – it comes out of the wall and all women take it.