OBGYN V. Midwife [The Hilariously True Appointment Comparison]
ceridwen
|
Do you spend a lot of time with your doctor at check-ups?
Here’s a cute phone video-ode to the midwife. I often shy away from the doctor versus midwife debate, just because often black and white arguments don’t match the gray of life. And because I think we might be better off thinking about how midwives and doctors work collaboratively– rather than pitting them against one another. But this video does capture something many women observe in their own pregnancies.
And though midwifery care is on the rise in America, it’s still largely misunderstood. When I was first pregnant I didn’t know midwives were an option, let alone covered by my insurance.
Check out this funny low-tech, compare-and-contrast video and tell us what you think: Will you go for a doctor or midwife?
video: youtube/CandidMommy
Every pregnant woman can use a doula… So what are they?
This was exactly the experience I had. When I was trying to get pregnant (2 miscarriages) I went to 3 different Ob’s and had the same experience with all 3 of them.
My first midwife appointment was a revelation. My husband, who was very skeptical of home birth, immediately changed his mind after meeting with our midwife.
Whenever friends of mine tell me how much they love their Ob’s I’m always in a bit of disbelief. Did I somehow see the 3 lousiest Ob’s in NYC? Or maybe these friends just have no basis for comparison?
All I know, is I won’t be going back to an Ob-Gyn for well woman care or future pregnancies. The difference in care with my midwife is astounding.
I feel more comfortable with a doctor, but it could be because I had the best doctor EVER for my first two babies. He was my family doctor, delivered my babies, and then was their doctor as well. He was with us every step of the journey and felt like a part of our family.
I only waited for one appointment in six years and whenever my children were sick he got them into the office that day. Even better, after the first kid got pink eye, he would call in a prescription for the second when they came down with it, without making us come in for an appointment. Additionally, he would call us at our home whenever one of us got very sick, to check that the medicine was working and the symptoms were lessening.
This is exactly the experience I had, only the waiting at the OB was even longer. He is the best in the country but your 1PM appointment turns into you waiting from 1PM to 3PM and then seeing him from 3PM to 3:12PM and then you pay his exorbitant fee and make an appointment to endure the same torture some time in the next 4 weeks.
I switched to Midwife care and they are there waiting to see me. My appointment is no shorter than an hour sometimes and hour and twenty minutes and they always answer my list of questions and offer so much advice and support.
I found a new backup OB and though we don’t spend as much time as the midwife at appointments, she is a definite improvement over my old OB.
In NZ we have a midwifery model of care which allows most women this level of care at each appointment – having said that, we aim to have a good working relationships with the obstetricians so that we can work with them when their expertise is needed – this collaborative relationship is essential for providing all women with safe care.
Yup, says it all. And if you are high risk, the appointment could last even longer with the mfm. I had 2 hour appointments. A 30 minute ultrasound and a 5 minute meeting with the doctor. All the while wrangling my older two home birthed kids. I much preferred my home births.
Yup, says it all.
And if you are high risk, the appointment could last even longer with the mfm. I had 2 hour appointments. A 30 minute ultrasound and a 5 minute meeting with the doctor. All the while wrangling my older two home birthed kids.
I much preferred my home births.
I think the term “midwife” means very different things in different countries. In the UK, my midwife appointments have been nothing like this video, made in the US. The quality of midwives here is far, far ranging, and the 3 different ones I’ve seen at a top-rated teaching hospital here have not been very knowledgeable- as in I can research the internet and find more information than they’re able to give. My time spent with them was under 10 minutes per appt, and there was certainly no hugging going on. They’re simply checking a list set for them by the public health system here, so I don’t blame them entirely. But wow, the term midwife does vary!
While “hilarious” is just about the last word I’d ever use to describe this video, I certainly did enjoy it. It was very informative and actually makes me consider using a midwife if I have another baby!
Not everyone needs or likes a touchy-feely approach…but I understand that a lot of women do. I have the best OB in the world. He is always cheerful, on time and to the point. I’m very grateful to have had his knowledge and expertise during my complicated pregnancies and births.
I had six with midwives. All were great experiences and the highest standard of care. This is not touchy-feely but a necessary component of care to access mother and child. The hugs and sicere emotion are extras relating to the fact that these women truly have a gift that they are sharing and have a level of love for you and your family. No $$ attached. Even the midwife I used in a hospital was hands on and by the birth a friend, though I did have to wait sometimes. That’s the hospital system. Home birth is the way to go if you can!
I’m a little confused. At 0:12 into the video, it gives the date (of your OB appointment) as 10/27/2011. I am watching this video on 08/10/2011. Are you able to project yourself into the future?