https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 23:19:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1974300 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 12:03:34 +0000 badwolf 1974300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the replies! A couple people mentioned hospital-based CNM, which is where I'm leaning now. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania does not appear to be a super midwife friendly state, at least if you want one with hospital privileges, so there's pretty much one option within an hour of me. I emailed her to schedule a consult and we'll see from there. Fortunately, the new insurance I'll be starting 1/1/15 considers her a preferred provider so that part shouldn't be an issue. Thanks again for all the feedback! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1974193 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 09:28:15 +0000 namaste 1974193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose an OB just for convenience's sake. There aren't a lot of midwives near me and I live five minutes from my hospital. The nearest birthing center that is run by midwives is at least 20+ minutes away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1974157 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 08:50:38 +0000 Happygal 1974157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm really happy with my OB who is partnered with a midwife and supports low-to-no intervention births, but is also set to do a c-section, etc., if need be. It's a good balance! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1974134 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 08:15:36 +0000 Beth24 1974134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went with a midwife just because my mom always used midwives and spoke very highly of her birth experiences. The doctors office I went to has a team of about 8 midwives (along with doctors) They delivered at the closest local hospital and there was always 1 midwife on duty. There was no expectation that I would have a natural birth - they were very supportive in allowing me to choose how I wanted my delivery to go. I did end up having an epidural and I had a great delivery. I liked that my midwife really got to know me well and took her time asking questions at each appointment. I don't have any experience with a regular OB but I highly recommend having a midwife. Just a fun little tidbit that I was amazed by: I had my last ultrasound around 18 weeks. At my 39 week appt the midwife felt around my tummy and guessed that my baby was between 7-7.5 lbs. I ended up having DD the next day and she was 7lbs 4oz! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1974118 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 07:44:06 +0000 avivoca 1974118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a hospital based CNM. I got the low-key, unmediated birth that I wanted but the OB was around if I had complications. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1974117 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 07:41:26 +0000 Mrs. Deer 1974117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a midwife with my first, an OB with my second. Both births were unmedicated and in a hospital setting. I would have seen the same midwifery group again had we not moved, but the area that we live in now doesn't have midwives (except for home births). I honestly think you'd be fine either way. I know most people that saw the midwives were actually not planning on unmedicated births, so I wouldn't let that stop you. I think the only difference I experienced was that the midwife was there throughout my labor while my OB came near the end. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1974073 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 04:32:17 +0000 Adira 1974073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My practice has both OBs answer midwives. There is always one of each on duty at the hospital where I delivered. Even if you chose to have a midwife, the OBS would be there for an complications. So I had a midwife for my prenatal care and midwives delivered both my babies. But again, it was in a hospital and there was always an OB around if I needed one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1974053 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 02:26:17 +0000 sarac 1974053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like a hospital based Nurse midwife would be a great choice for you. You can have an epidural, you can have great midwife care - kind of the best of both worlds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973969 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 22:17:42 +0000 chanada 1973969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The first of my closest friend who had a baby had a great experience with a midwife. Since then I had a good impression of midwives and went with one for my son. </p> <p>It was a great experience. They took as much time as I needed as a first time mom for each appointment. When I told my family doctor that I was going to a midwife, she was very supportive and said that they are very good..</p> <p>I was able to get to know my midwife well as well as a couple other midwives in the clinic and had great support through prenatal, labour and post natal care. Now that I am on pregnancy #2, I am with midwives again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973925 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 21:32:48 +0000 blackbird 1973925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Midwives aren't really an option here, so I had an OB. Most importantly, she was highly recommended and I've never doubted my decision to see her! I would ask around and pick someone with great reviews if you're low risk. I would ask your RE for a CNM recommendation, too </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973918 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 21:27:27 +0000 artsyfartsy 1973918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose an OB because there are no midwives in my area. If I had the choice, I would have chosen a midwife because I'm a more holistic kind of person too and I wasn't high risk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973915 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 21:24:33 +0000 MrsBrewer 1973915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 14 weeks pregnant with my first too! I am in a practice where there are 6 rotating OBs and 3 midwives. I decided to go with the midwives mainly because I will be able to get to know the. Better Also because I'm very low risk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973874 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 20:35:50 +0000 pinkb 1973874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have chosen the same OB both times, just personal preference. I had chosen an OB that turned out to be horrible so I searched everywhere for recommendations and went with the highest recommended, which was an OB. They have added a Midwife to the practice that I have been seeing quite often this second pregnancy since I am high risk and go every 2 weeks. I like her, I can see why they chose her, her demeanor and care is very similar to the OB, but I still prefer the OB. His vast knowledge and information eases my fears, he takes as long as needed to see you, and he has a very very very calm caring demeanor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973862 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 20:23:07 +0000 Astro Bee 1973862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went with a family doctor who specializes in prenatal care and labour and delivery. She was recommended to me by both my regular family doctor and a friend. If I'd been high-risk, I'd have been referred to an OB. I'll deliver in a hospital that has a great maternity ward where my doc has hospital privileges, but I also plan on getting an epi. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973715 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 16:19:44 +0000 lawbee11 1973715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose an OB, but admittedly I never really considered a midwife. I knew I wanted an epidural and I felt more comfortable having an OB in the event of an emergency even though I was low-risk. I'm also not sure if insurance would've covered a midwife. It was great and I'd choose an OB again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973660 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 14:57:11 +0000 snickers 1973660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in New Zealand. Over here midwifes are free but you have the option of paying to go to an OB.</p> <p>Most people I know choose to go the midwife route and we did too.<br /> Our midwife was very straight up and said if there are any complications at all during the pregnancy she will refer us to an OB and with a hospital birth she said she always makes sure a Dr is nearby incase of complications.</p> <p>I had a natural drug free birth and she was so supportive.</p> <p>Also midwives come visit their patients at home after the baby is born, whereas I think people who go to an OB have a different midwife visiting (based on my SIL's experience with an OB) so it was really nice to have the same person during the pregnancy, birth and the few weeks after DS was born. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973655 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 14:42:39 +0000 lamariniere 1973655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have had both. I had an OB throughout my 1st pregnancy and an OB delivered my first LO. I had an epi and an otherwise complication free birth. Although, there were tons of people in and out of the room the whole time since it was a teaching hospital. </p> <p>My 2nd LO was born in Austria and the custom here is that a midwife oversees your care and delivers your baby unless there are complications. Since I don't speak the local language and didn't know much about midwives, I found an English speaking OB (who was just wonderful) who provided all my prenatal care and agreed to deliver my baby. Normally he only did high risk deliveries. However, when I finally went into labor (after my water broke and it took several hours for the contractions to start), the whole L&amp;D was literally less than 45 min, so one of the hospital midwives delivered my baby. My OB didn't have enough time to make it to the hospital and walked in 10 minutes after the baby was born. That birth, which was unmedicated since there wasn't enough time, was much more peaceful, it was just DH and I, the midwife and a nurse. She was fantastic at coaching me through the contractions and there were no complications with the birth. </p> <p>I think there is a general misunderstanding about midwives (and I include myself in this) and what they can and can't do. My experience was extremely positive and I would consider going through just a midwife if we ever had a third child. That said, both of my pregnancies were low risk and deliveries were complication free.</p> <p>Eta: to give another idea about midwives, in the hospital I delivered in in Austria, I think they always have 5 midwives and 2 OBs in L&amp;D at any given time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973635 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 14:09:49 +0000 marionberry 1973635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have always preferred OBs but many choose midwives who deliver in the hospital here. If you're low risk midwives are great. I ended up with a breech baby and now twins so I would've ended up with an OB anyway but I totally support CNMs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973613 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 13:38:47 +0000 Arden 1973613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose a midwife team at a birth center. Even though I ended up needing to transfer to the hospital, I would still choose midwives next time.<br /> I never had to wait for my appointments, they spent a full 30-45 minutes talking to me at each appointment, and they stayed with me throughout almost my entire birth process. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973604 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 13:15:26 +0000 MrsBucky 1973604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB actually recommended I consider the practice's related midwife group. He said he was happy to have me stay with him, but because I am "young" (I still find it odd that 30 is considered so young in NYC) and low risk, it is a good option for me. I was sold when they told me that they would be with me from the time I head to the birth center (in the hospital) until the baby is born- even if I transfer to L&amp;D or have to have a c-section. With an OB, he would mostly be there at the end, and my care would primarily be the L&amp;D nurses. So that made the choice simple in my mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973559 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 12:02:43 +0000 fairy 1973559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I chose based on the place I wanted to give birth. There were 3 options in my area: 2 hospitals(one bigger and one smaller) and a midwife birth center. I did research on the places and chose the smaller hospital for more personalized care and better facilities, and that basically sealed the deal for who I saw for care because it was only 1 OB group that delivered there. It is pretty personal based on what you want, and different OB and midwives will have different "philosophies" on birth. It is good to ask questions on what to expect at birth if you have specific desires like the walking epidural etc - some places may be more accommodating than others and some midwives cannot do pain relief like epidurals. The birth center near me was right next to the hospital in case something went wrong, but I still felt better being at the hospital with my first just because it was all so new and I wanted to be there in case anything went wrong. Good luck, and congrats :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ob-or-midwife-1#post-1973554 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 11:49:15 +0000 badwolf 1973554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi bees,</p> <p>I am 14 weeks pregnant with my first baby and am thinking about what kind of birth I am hoping to have. I’ve been seeing an OB for prenatal care after being referred there by my reproductive endocrinologist, but am also considering transferring to a midwife for a more holistic model of care. I’m not 100% crunchy (walking epi sounds GREAT to me over a fully unmedicated birth!) and am not currently considered high risk, so it isn’t necessarily a requirement for me to see an OB.</p> <p>Since I’ve never done this before, I’d like to hear from others who’ve been in this position. How did you decide whether to use an OB or a midwife during your pregnancies and deliveries? What were your experiences? </p>