As many of you are parents, you've probably had to make the decisions whether or not to see a docter or have a midwife. There are a lot of advantages to either side, (midwives are a lot cheaper, and they can do it at home if you like; docters are there throughout the entire pregnancy, and can preform c-sections and whatnot) and I was wondering which you personally think is a better deal. I ask this because I was thinking of becoming an obstetrician because it's such a rewarding career, but I've been looking at some of the money I'd have to pay for college and it's also an expencive career. And then I get out into the hospital, and yes, I get paid very well, but these people are going to have to pay a lot of money for my services, and they're already going to have to pay plenty of money to take care of a new baby. Kids are expencive, and I'd feel kind of guilty adding to that. Plus, midwives have been around for centuries. It would be kind of interesting doing something that other woman have been doing since biblical times, don't you think? So which do you think is better, obstetricians or midwives?
I had seriously considered becoming a midwife, as well, but I have kids, and I don't think that I could put them second to my job...i.e. leaving in the middle of a school play to deliver a baby. If you have the opportunity, I vote for becoming a midwife. Ob's tend to treat pregnancy like a sickness, while midwives are treated pregnancies like what they are...a natural process. There are also different kinds of midwifery...you could become a certified nurse midwife, or a lay midwife. I personally think that a midwife is more rewarding choice than an ob. The pregnant woman feels more in control of her pregnancy with a midwife. They are more pregnancy guides. Ob's tell you exactly what to and not to do...don't let you follow your instincts, and make you feel inferior. Follow your heart and instincts, you will make the right choice for who you are!
I really dont care for too much explaination why right now as its almost 12 am here. I would go for a midwife. Not jsut b/c that is what I am doing but because Its less Dr/ Patient relationship its more of a trusting, friendship that you form with your "patient" and whole family! I will try to explain why later just wanted to show my opinion first
Midwives rock!!!! I had a midwife attend my second pregnancy, along with my OB. I have quadruple high risk pregnancies and would not personally be able to have a midwife only pregnancy or birth. But the midwife did a lot of the prenatal care. She wasn't there when I was in labor though. Ended up with an other section. I think midwives are great choices for womyn who have low to medium risk pregnancies and for womyn are happy to take a lot of responsiblity for thier own care. I know womyn who want to learn NOTHING during their pregnancy, want to go into the hospital and be "knocked out" and are really afraid of the good power of their bodies during pregnancy childbirth and breastfeeding. This is a really sad attidude, but all the midwives I know require a womyn to do a lot of learning during pregnancy. As it should be! It would be great if we could educate these womyn who are afraid of the power of their mamabodies. Brighid is out of town. She is our Site Official Midwife and is amazing. She can tell you a lot about the work and dedication of a midwife.
My Mum delivered all of us with a midwife. Midwifes also stay in touch through the pregnancy. Nowadays it seems OB want you in and out of the hospital as soon as possible. Problem is many doctors tend to "force" a woman to push out the child, studies have shown babies must come out as natural as possible with little pushing as possible. I also could not believe when I heard some women were asking to have C-sections so they would not have to go through the discomfort of labour pains!!! So you go for surgery instead!?! D
They are both wonderful in their own ways, and both absolutely necessary. I chose midwifery because I am strongly called to caring for women and their babies during the most transitional period of their lives. I am dedicated to preserving the sacrament of birth, and the knowledge that it is inherently normal and miraculous at the same time. I want women to know the power of their bodies and respect how well their bodies work. I believe women have the right to choose when, where and with whom to have their babies. I believe birth happens best with little or no interference and lots of loving support. And most importantly, I love what I do! OB's are trained to care for the AB-normal, and so are needed for those women who are not expected to have a complication free pregnancy and birth. Doctor's certainly do make a lot more money than midwives! You need to search out your own philosophy of birth and pregnancy and discover what is best for you. You could always become an OB who supports and backs up midwives! Lord knows we need them out here!
I think it would be so great if there was one more compassionate OB in the world. Both of mine were men. One was just indifferent, like a drive-thru obstetrician. The other was a total @$$hole! He said terrible things to me! He frightened me on purpose! I didn't want male OBs, ideally I'd want the help of a woman (who'd at least had some menstrual cramps) and preferably a mother, but I had no choice. The very rude OB kept telling me, after 36 hours of labor, that I was going to have to work harder than that! Oh! I wish he had to give birth with no annatomical adjustments, if you know what I mean. I also had high risk pregnancies and deliveries because of my epilepsy. That's one reason why I think it would be wonderful if there was one more compassionate, respectful OB. Not all of us are Amazons who can have our babies at home, sadly.
Here in Washington I believe there are a few different options. I think some community colleges have some sort of course you can take, even if its just a week long deal. There are other things too like, hospitals might have training, or there might be some clinic you can go to to take some classes. Id call up a local midwife in your area and ask how they got started.
An excellent book to read for anyone interested in midwifery is Paths to Becoming a Midwife. You can order it from Midwifery Today. Don't forget to check out the discussion forum and articles! http://www.midwiferytoday.com/books/paths.asp In some states, there are accredited schools which combine academics and apprenticeships. There are distince programs which you study at your own pace and apprentice with an experienced midwife. Depending on your state and it's own laws and rules, you may have to be prepared to practice and study illegally. I would strongly suggest you become a labour support doula and a childbirth educator first. It gives you a good solid background in birth and also the opportunity to witness births and assist women with comfort measures, invaluable skills to have as a midwife. You can attend a 3 day workshop with DONA, ALACE or other program, attend 3 births and be certified. Doulas can make decent money, and it gives you an idea about what it's like to live "on call". Good college courses to take are Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, statistics (we have to do stats every year for the Midwives Association of North America *MANA*) biology, psychology. There are many options available!
I would much rather have a midwife, just because Ive sat in on a few hopsital births and they are so zip zap youre done and outta there. Just so not the way a birth should be remembered. There you are, in some place you dont know, with people you know nothing about that put on the same happy act for everyone. You sit in a bed with some gown on that who knows how many other people have worn, and it reads on the tag, "property of such and such hospital." Sometimes they dont even allow you to eat, or drink certain beverages. If your baby isnt out within the 3 or 4 hours youve been there, they start you on Pitocin, or some other labor inducing drug. They hardly ever tell you your options, they just do what they think is best. Because, they know what theyre talking about. Yeah Right!! How about a home birth? How about staying at your own home and giving birh to your child in its new home. With familiar settings, with people you know and trust. In your own comfortable nightgown or wear absolutely nothing at all! And who cares, its your home! You can eat when you want, and drink what you want. Use the friggin bathroom when you want!! So your water broke 24 hrs ago...you know the baby is on the way. Bake a birthday cake, or finish knitting those little booties. Wait another 24 hrs, if you havent had contractions, call your midwife. Light some candles, turn down the lights, play some music. Wouldnt that be a most beautiful way to give birth? Im not doggin on the doctors, heavens no. But when it comes to giving birth, they just dont cut it for me. Their job is to make a baby come out. If its not out, they arent doing their job. So oh, lets make her stay in bed and hook her up to some drugs that will make the baby come. When walking around would have probably just done the same thing, and you wouldnt have to use drugs. AHH!! Doctors, they just irk me ya know? I guess some OBs are cool, Ive met a couple. But there arent many!! Ok Im done
Okay, next question: Say I was a midwife, and I was helping a woman who had started to have some problems during labor. Are there things midwives can do about it, or do they call the hospital and get them to step in or what?
Yes you have to go to college to become a Midwife. Its I believe a 4 year program.... I am taking an Online practice course By Gloria Lemay Very soon! As well a Doula course!
Depends on the problem. there are problems midwifes can help /control and there are things that need hospital care...
Midwifery care is about preventing problems....since you are monitoring the woman, and not a complex system of machines and wires, you should be aware of signs of potential complications and promptly intervene. Prenatally, you encourage and educate Mom about taking proper care of herself to prevent problems in labour or with baby. Sometimes, albeit rarely, unforeseeable complications do occur. Sometimes, the midwife is able to assist, sometimes, she needs to go to the hospital (which is what hospitals are for, BTW). Sometimes, prenatally, you decide a Mom is at risk for compliations (high blood pressure, anemic, diabetic, baby too small) and transfer her care to an OB or CNM. In Florida, we may administer oxygen, pitocin (for post partum bleeding) methergine, IV fluids, sutures, and herbs or homeopathics, and we are trained in both adult and neonatal CPR.
Not necessarily......Certified Nurse Midwifery is a 4 year degree, you need a BSN in nursing and another year in midwifery. Direct entry midwifery you can study independently, in a classroom, or online, with a preceptor midwife. From the NARM website; "A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is an independent practitioner who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and is qualified to provide the Midwives Model of Care. The NARM certification process recognizes multiple routes of entry into midwifery and includes verification of knowledge and skills and the successful completion of both a Written Examination and Skills Assessment. The CPM credential requires training in out-of-hospital settings." http://www.narm.org/
