Discussions

I am currently almost 7 weeks pregnant. What is your opinion on midwives v. doctors?  
 
Thanks.

First of all, midwives are hard to get in to see here in Brandon, as there are only a small number of them. I think in terms of Dr.'s vs. midwives, midwives will definitely give you a different type of care. You will have longer appointments, and they will spend more time with you during labour, delivery, postpartum, etc. I think you would develop more of a personal relationship with them, and have more support in the way of birth plans, etc.  
Appointments with a doctor are generally shorter, more medically to the point, and they will show up to the delivery basically when the head is showing, or when you are booked for a c-section. And you will not necessarily have your own doctor deliver the baby if you are seeing an OBGYN, it will just be whoever is on call.  
 
In the end though, it really doesn't matter if you become high risk in any way during the pregnancy, or require any type of medical intervention during deliver, you will automatically get a doctor, and generally once something like that has happened, getting a midwife again would not be easy.

If you are even contemplating a midwife, call right now. As in, get off the internet and call them right now!  
 
I usually call as soon as I find out I'm pregnant (usually around 4-5 weeks), and have always gotten in. I even called the midwives with baby #3 before telling my husband we were expecting!  
 
I've had babies with both OBGYN and midwives, and midwives win hands-down for uncomplicated pregnancies. There are more midwives now in Brandon than ever, so hopefully getting in will be easier than in the past.

I would vote for the midwives. They added 2? 3? midwives recently, which makes it easier to get in. We were waitlisted when I called, but got in with the increased staffing.  
 
They have been kind, compassionate and understanding. I had seen an OB (once before and once after conception) and hope that I never have to step foot in the OBGYN clinic again. If I do, then I hope someone has forced them to learn to ... well, if they learned to be nice human beings, that would be a great start.  
 
As an earlier poster noted, complications or need for medical interventions will get you sent to the OBGYN anyway, but if you can get in to the midwives, it will be more pleasant.  
 
I believe the medical intervention rate is lower with midwives. This would be partly because they take lower risk pregnancies, but also because they do more coaching and have a greater patience and appreciation for the biological process of birth. (not that doctors don't appreciate it, but midwives are more likely to support the natural processes whereas a doctor may lose patience and try to hurry things along, imo)  
 
Both practitioners will do what they feel, with their training and background, is best for you and your baby. But midwifery seems to be a kinder way of going about it.  
 
If you do end up with an OBGYN, think about a doula for the birth - they can fill the coaching role and be very helpful and positive addition to your birth team.

Like others have responded,the midwives are a great option. You do need to call as soon as you can because they only take so many clients on at a time. There are now 6 midwives in Brandon and they are all great. If you get on with them you will have a primary who you see at first and then you will have appointments with the others as well because wheb you go into labor your primary may not be on call nut you will be familiar with whoever is. Whichever midwife does your delivery also does your 6 weeks of postpartum care (which I do not believe you recieve from an obgyn).  
As some have said,if you become higher risk or need medical intervention during labor and delivery your care gets transferred to an obgyn however the midwife usually stays as a support. There are also scenarios that the midwife can call an obgyn in for a consult but not transfer care.  
I have not personally had any experiences with any of the obgyn's who practice in Brandon but have nothing but high praises for the midwives. (Not to say that the obgyn's don't do a fantastic job but my previous and current pregnancy have both been with the midwives)

My sister loved her midwife. But I have heard it has been really hard to get one in this area. Another option is a Doula, if you cant get a midwife.

I would strongly urge you to try and see a midwife. They are hard to get into as they have so many people on their list but they have hired a couple more recently and you may have a chance at getting in.  
 
I have had a doctor deliver one baby and midwife deliver the other and both experiences were great, however, the personal care you get though a midwife is something doctors simply do not have time for.  
 
A midwife is very thorough, explains everything, and is so supportive during the birth. They are in the room with you the whole time. Also, you will not be waiting hours and hours to see them when you go for your appointments.  
 
They are amazing and I cannot say enough great things about them.