Hellobee Boards

* What is their standard birth plan - doula required? Hep lock? Water? Skin to skin? Delayed cord clamping? Delayed vaccinations/newborn procedures?
* how long will they let you go? 42 weeks? Induction policy and procedures?
* how do they handle breech presentation?
* how do they rotate on call schedules? Will a specific MW be with the whole time or will they switch shifts?
* specific diet and exercise regimen?
* testing - what do they offer/recommend? In house or separate lab?
* recommend specific birthing method?

@grizz: just want to say ! I think that considering your previous experience, you're being very level-headed and open-minded about moving forward. Super proud of you! I hope that the consult goes really well and that you leave armed with good info!

@grizz: Is it a home birth/center midwife group? I just emailed a friend questions we asked our midwife. Let me dig them up.

ETA: Just saw your transfer rate question, so I'm assuming home birth.

@grizz: I'm thrilled for you! And for the thought of maybe-baby Grizz, but only if it also comes with an at peace mama. Let us know how it goes!

I'm not sure how applicable this is for the American model of care but I would be asking how big their caseload is at any one time. NZ midwives typically take between 3-6 births per month but they tend to work independently and are also responsible for postnatal care for six weeks following the birth.

I would ask about some of the practical things like how it works when you have questions both during off hours and during regular hours, how test results will be relayed to you, how easy scheduling is, how late they typically run etc.

I got all the right answers from our midwife group about care but I failed to ask thorough questions about these things and it's making me miserable- I don't know if they would have told me their office is a disorganized mess and it might take them days to call me back but after I brought the issues up with both the midwives and the office manager no one was shocked or tried to suggest it was out of the ordinary. I can't imagine other offices could possibly run this way too but I strongly recommend digging into this side of things too.

@grizz: she's amazing. very smart and practical. I think she does a great job of being an advocate of "however you want to give birth." I've never heard her be judge-y about any kind of birth decision. If all homebirth midwives were like her, things would be a lot different. She works really hard to have good relationships with local hospitals, and thinks that collaboration between providers is the best way to ensure safe deliveries. She is never self righteous....anyway, just bragging
I'm sure if you have questions that remain unanswered she'd be happy to talk with you. Best of luck!

@grizz:

@grizz: So glad it went well! So is that you a step closer to possibly considering a second child, then?

@grizz: So I have to ask because I'm curious -- what were some of the main things that you were impressed about by these midwives? Besides their detailed plan for necessary transfers, that is!

I'm glad you were able to find providers that seem like a great fit for potential Grizz baby #2!