Midwifery vs. OB/GYN

I have thought a lot about what kind of birth/delivery I want to have with this baby. I am a big believer in doing things as naturally as possible. So, I have been researching my different options when it comes to my care as well as my baby's care during the birthing process.

I came across a group of midwives who are part of the Woman's Specialists of Houston. It's a group of 4 midwives and 7 ob/gyns. I have read nothing but fabulous reviews of the midwives! And, the philosophies they have about pre-natal care and giving birth are right in line with my own. So, I made an appointment with them and I had my first visit this past Monday. I get to meet with a different midwife each time I go, so that I get to know all 4 of them. I won't know who will deliver my baby until I go into labor. Whichever midwife is on call at that time will be there with me through delivery. Dawn, is the first midwife I met, and she was awesome! She talked to me for over an hour! I got to know her better in this hour than I had with my previous ob/gyn the entire 3 years I had been going to her! She really put my mind at ease! Here are just some of the differences between a midwife and a regular ob/gyn:

Ob/Gyn:
Too many patients to handle
Non-personalized care
More c-sections & medicated births
IV during all of labor
Laboring happens mostly in a bed
Delivery is posed on your back w/feet in stirrups
Baby is taken to nursery immediately after birth
Breastfeeding starts hours after birth
Doctor has little to do with actual labor

Midwife:
Small # of patients
Personalized care
Very few c-sections & medicated births
No IV unless absolutely necessary
Labor on a birthing ball, in the water, or walking around
Unlimited options of positions to give birth in
Baby remains with mom after birth
Breastfeeding starts within one hour of birth
Midwife is there almost the entire time during labor

Needless to say, I have completely switched my pre-natal care over to the midwives! They will tailor my birthing plan to exactly my specifications, and they will try to help my stick with it during labor. They are more supportive and more like coaches, than actual doctors. Another great perk is that the midwives have their patients deliver at St. Lukes Hospital in the medical center. So, if there was to be an emergency during my labor, I will immediately be transferred to the care of one of the ob/gyns on call that day.

I feel so much better about labor and delivery now that I have made this change in my care! I go back on October 14th for my anatomy ultrasound, and Giff and I will be able to find out the sex of the baby! I couldn't be more excited! Less than 2 weeks to go! :)