At 36 weeks Jason and I decided to switch from the OBGYN
practice that we used throughout the pregnancy to a practice of midwives. It was a scary and emotional
switch.
At the time none of my friends or family members had used
midwives and the thought made me anxious and a bit scared. I wanted a positive natural birth
but I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my baby’s health and safety to achieve that
goal.
The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice your
baby’s health and safety by choosing to go with midwives vs. a traditional
OBGYN office.
Prior to making the switch I was concerned that if I chose
to use a midwife practice I would not receive as quality of care as I would
with my OBGYN practice. I
could not have been more wrong.
At the first meeting with one of the midwives, I was asked
to describe my birth plan.
Prior to this, my doctors told me how I would give birth. I felt more in control with the
midwives and also more confident in my abilities to birth this baby!
The appointments at my OBGYN felt like a medical process
rather than a natural and normal event. I was asked to vision and verbalize my ideal birth with
the midwives and was asked to describe and discuss any fears I had about giving
birth. These weren’t topics of
discussion with my OBGYN and trust me I had some serious fears!
I felt like I was giving birth with my sister or a good
friend when working with the midwives. I know
that my experience may not be the same as others and I also don’t want you to
think that I am totally against OBGYNs.
I am just pro-midwives J You will know what is the best decision
for you when the time comes.
I have now switched practices for good and will tell anyone
who will listen to consider using midwives for the birth of their baby and for
routine health visits.
Midwives have a lower rate of cesarean sections and actually
strive to minimize the need for interventions. They strive to allow women to achieve the birth that they
desire rather than what maybe convenient for the doctor. Midwives can deliver babies in a
hospital, birthing center or even within your own home.
In our experience, midwives treated the whole person rather
than treating my pregnancy as a medical condition. When I was in labor the midwife working with us was a
calm and reassuring voice.
If you are thinking about using midwives for the birth of
your baby, have no fear!
Below are a few books and links that I found to be helpful when making
the switch. Enjoy!
Books: Anything by Ina May Gaskin and if you have not already done so, read The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
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