Re: Why do so many people choose to go to a midwife?
Thank you so much for all your advice ans support girls, I am already training my hubby to not let anyone "force " me to agree with epi and when the time comes to keep telling me that it will soon be over and all will be fine, because I know I can do it( I had a 29 hours labour with my son, but that was overseas where they have not heard about the epi and willing or not you go natural lol. I actually heard that in Alberta the midwifes are coverd by the healtcare - that would be awesome and I am definitly going to chec the midwifes and if they would accept me I would swich even now but I have to be carefull stil if they say it is too late to come to them now. . . then I have to stick to the ob/gn . If they can take me I would just call the other office and ask them to mail me my file or transfer to the midwifes.
Re: Why do so many people choose to go to a midwife?
As someone who had the worst birth experience imagainable (briefly I was induced at 41 weeks with cervigel which after the second dose brought on awful contractions less than 1 minute apart but did not dilate my cervix at all, after 12 hours or more of this...although it lessened for awhile...I was put on a drip and after almost 12 hours of increasingly painful contractions I finally asked for an epidural and 6 hours later gave birth to a son who didn't breath much on his own and had an apgar of 5...he's fine by the way) I decided to use a midwife this time.
However I have absolutely no desire to give birth in my own home and like the idea of being in the hospital in case something goes wrong...that and I really don't want to do it here. I am also open to having an epidural again if I have to but I will not be induced. I would rather have a c-section than be given those drugs again.
Now after saying all that I will tell you that I had no repricussions from my epidural and was up and moving around very shortly after birth. I didn't feel groggy just exhausted after my super long labour.
There are no medals handed out for being a hero and not taking drugs for pain. If it is what feels right for you and you've researched ways to delay it as long as possible then do it and don't let someone talk you out or in to it. It is your body and your decision.
Good luck!!!
Re: Why do so many people choose to go to a midwife?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jordyn
There are no medals handed out for being a hero and not taking drugs for pain. If it is what feels right for you and you've researched ways to delay it as long as possible then do it and don't let someone talk you out or in to it. It is your body and your decision.
Good luck!!!
I'm surprised you'd say something like this, and I think it's unfortunate you feel this way. I don't think any woman who chooses unmedicated birth is looking for a medal, or that women who choose medicated births are more realistic and less arrogant (that response sort of implies that women who choose unmedicated birth want a slap on the back and to be center stage).
You're absolutely right, it is each woman's decision, and every woman has her own experience she can speak from to help someone else be more informed of something she may not have considered before.
Re: Why do so many people choose to go to a midwife?
[QUOTE=jriegel]I'm surprised you'd say something like this, and I think it's unfortunate you feel this way. I don't think any woman who chooses unmedicated birth is looking for a medal, or that women who choose medicated births are more realistic and less arrogant (that response sort of implies that women who choose unmedicated birth want a slap on the back and to be center stage).
I said this because I felt there seemed to be a lot of pressure on this thread for women to choose natural and that many seemed to imply it was the best way to go. And guess what...it's not always for everyone. If you were in labour for 37 hours under an induction you might agree with me, if not, if you've never had lengthy induction, you might not be able to understand what that is like.
I by no means meant that women you choose unmedicated births think they deserve a medal or a slap on the back. What I meant was that there is not extra bonus for chosing medication or not having medicatoi because the end result is the same...a beautiful baby...
The most important part of what I said was that everyone needs to make their own choices based on their own feelings and I believe you should keep your mind open to having medication in case you end up in prolonged labour that tires you so completely that you can not go on.
Keep in mind that we are all entitled to our opinions here too!!!
Re: Why do so many people choose to go to a midwife?
Jordyn I completely agree with you, and I apologize to anyone who thinks my opinion is "all natural or not at all". I do not feel that way at all. I do believe, however, that methods that are involved in medicated and doctor-assisted (not that midwives can't be doctors, though) births usually precipitate the need for episiotomies and epidurals. In my experience, there are many choices and steps that can be made, and a wealth of information from women who have experienced both natural and medicated births, that can provide a woman with information to make an informed decision (regardless of what that decision may be) as opposed to a decision made out of fear and inexperience. Just like you, I am simply trying to share my experience and help educate women on possibilities they may not have considered yet.
Ultimately, I feel like whatever makes a woman most comfortable and relaxed (something many women don't even know is possible during labor - for some it isn't but for many it actually is), and whatever will be most healthy and safe for mom and baby - outcomes that are all dependant on multiple factors both inside and outside of birthing options - is the best way to go. And it is different for every woman. I'm glad we have this resource to share our experiences and advice for people who are interested in knowing all the angles and aspects, and I'm glad that you are sharing yours to help "balance" out the information.
Re: Why do so many people choose to go to a midwife?
Glad we cleared the air...just keep in mind everyone that everytime you talk to someone that every birth experience is different. Mine was pretty awful and not typical at all. I think I must scare some pregnant women lol!!!
I went into it with the plan to absolutely not have an epidural but man...after 30+ hours of that I just couldn't deal with it anymore. This time I plan to avoid the induction that really was the root cause to all my problems....thus the need for a midwife. I plan to not do an epidural again unless I get too tired or just can't take it anymore because as soon as I have an epidural my care gets put into an OB and doesn't go back to the midwife until after delivery.
Good luck to all of you going the midwife route...I am really hoping it is the difference for me!!!
Re: Why do so many people choose to go to a midwife?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jordyn
Glad we cleared the air...just keep in mind everyone that everytime you talk to someone that every birth experience is different. Mine was pretty awful and not typical at all. I think I must scare some pregnant women lol!!!
I went into it with the plan to absolutely not have an epidural but man...after 30+ hours of that I just couldn't deal with it anymore. This time I plan to avoid the induction that really was the root cause to all my problems....thus the need for a midwife. I plan to not do an epidural again unless I get too tired or just can't take it anymore because as soon as I have an epidural my care gets put into an OB and doesn't go back to the midwife until after delivery.
Good luck to all of you going the midwife route...I am really hoping it is the difference for me!!!
I have to admit, your story did scare the hell out of me! But it's just like my mother. She's always saying how bad it was, etc. She actually told me she felt like she was dying. But then I asked her, if you felt like you were dying, why did you have 4 kids? No answer. LOL
I feel like this, if it was that bad and you're brave enough to get pg and do it again, it can't be THAT bad. Could it?? LOL
Re: Why do so many people choose to go to a midwife?
EXACTLY my point!!! Although I did plan to have only 18 months between kids when I got pg with ds and he'll be 3 before this one is born!!!!
I think you always need to take what you are told with a grain of salt....some people tolerate pain better, some respond to drugs different, some are more prepared (I refused to even read about birth till about 38 weeks (dumb I know but I was so scared to think about it till then!!!).
Again why the midwife is a good choice...much better at preparing you and at using all methods needed before medical interventions.
Take care ladies!!!
Re: Why do so many people choose to go to a midwife?
Jordyn, you should really consider reading "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth". It is very eye opening to a woman's ability to go through labor. I think, considering your last experience, it could really help you put to rest some fears you may have, regardless of what the possible outcome may be, or for anyone that would read it regardless of what method they choose, just to read about how a woman's body is designed to go through and handle labor helps relieve a lot of the fear that can make you tense and worried and make labor more uncomfortable and take longer. She writes a lot about how relaxation is the key. If you are tense, ALL your muscles will be tense (your cervix especially) and how it makes labor take that much longer, and what a difference it makes when several different mothers in labor voice a fear they have and once she deals with it, she relaxes and deliveres the baby within a matter of an hour or a couple hours. It really is an amazing book and makes you feel like you can do just about anything!
Re: Why do so many people choose to go to a midwife?
I'll see if my midwife has that one...no chance of our small town library having it and I am too broke to buy anything extra now!!!
I have a good book by a British author (i think) Sheila something that I didn't read much last time...I really didn't prepare myself at all and had no help from the OB to do so either. My eyes are sure wide open this time. I am positive it will be a better experience....how could it not be.
Thanks for the info!!!
Re: Why do so many people choose to go to a midwife?
Definitely. I've heard it's pretty common that second, third, etc. births go better than the first. not always, but usually. i did buy my copy online at the biggest online store ever (i'm sure you can figure out who that is) and they also sell used copies, sometimes under $5.00, that might be an option for you. OR you could ask your midwife to purchase it for you (if she doesn't already have it) as a resource...
lol
