What are the pros and cons of having a midwife?

Question

Just curious. I'm not pregnant yet, but don't know if I'll use a midwife or not. Just looking to see if anyone has ever used one and what the pros and cons of having one are?

Answer 1

I would recommend you watch "The Business of Being Born".

It was extremely informative on the issue, and is a documentary done by Ricki Lake after she had a not-so-pleasant experience with her first birth.

After seeing it, I switched to being pro-midwife. Most doctors, believe it or not, have never even SEEN a live birth. They're just handing out c-sections left and right.  

Answer 2

Midwives are used for low risk pregnancies with very little medical intervention. For a first pregnancy or a high risk one I would suggest an OB GYN as they are trained in all aspects of pregnancy and everything that could potential go wrong.  

Answer 3

no idea

Answer 4

Are you asking about a direct entry midwife or a certified nurse midwife?

In any case:

Pros:

1. Lower chance of interventions (including c-sections).

2. Higher chance of having an unmedicated birth, if that's your wish.  (safer for baby and for you.)

3. Generally longer and more detailed prenatal exams, with more personal attention.

4. A generally different 'take' on pregnancy/birth -- midwives see it as a natural process; doctors see it as a disaster waiting to happen.

5. Cheaper (usually).

Cons:  

1. If there would be a complication that would require you to be transferred to a doctor's care, you might be attended during delivery by a doctor you've never met before. Which might be uncomfortable for you.

Answer 5

Everyone has, or should have a midwife during labour. But I am guessing you mean a private one you hire yourself. If you do, basically it just means you are guaranteed one on one attention with someone who have gotten to know. During my pregnancy I saw countless midwives and then got someone completely new on the day. I was lucky and it was the start of her shift so I got her throughout but at lot of people get 1 midwife to start with and another later one, and then another if they are still at it, as the shifts change. In busy wards you could also be sharing your midwife with a few other ladies, although this will be there for the actually pushing bit, or at least should be. Hope that makes sense, and let me know if I have mis understood the question.

Answer 6

I'm going to see a midwife, however, I want to have my baby at a hospital. With midwives, they'll usually let you try different positions during labor.

I have a friend who tried to have a homebirth with her first child and she almost died because her midwives were telling her to push when she wasn't even dialated. Her water had been broken for about 36 hours and the midwives told her not to go to the doctor.

She eventually had to have a c-section at the hospital and both her and the baby had an infection. It was a big mess! Come to find out, the midwives weren't even legal, liscensed midwives!!

So...midwives can be an exellent choice IF you choose a legal, liscensed, experienced professional.