I got a notice that I have a package to pick up and the notice said P.Eng. on it, so I am quite certain that the package is my stamp! Yay! I am going to pick it up tonight after work… I’m excited!
So today I go back to the doctor for more blood work. I should receive the results tomorrow and I’ll be sure to update once I receive the results.
CT talked to his sister last night, who had already heard the news from his parents. She is absolutely thrilled and has requested that we have a girl. She wants to be able to buy pink frilly things for the baby ;)
I have already started to think about the whole doctor vs midwife thing. I know it’s still early, but I know that the midwife practice in town only takes on a certain number of patients for each due date range, so if I want to go that way, I should book in within the next few weeks. I am seriously considering going with a midwife. A couple people that I know are currently under the care of these midwives, and they are absolutely thrilled with the care they are getting. And midwives are now covered under OHIP, and they have full hospital privileges.
Other bonuses are you have a team of 2 midwives, and every time you go for an appointment, it’s one of those 2 that you see (there are a total of 6 in the practice) . So they really get to know you. And one of those 2 (they swap out as necessary) are with you right from the early stages of labour (they come to your house to care for you and assess when it’s time to go to the hospital) through the entire birth and even 3 hours after the birth to help you with breastfeeding, etc. Then they visit you at home to provide care when the baby is 1 day old, 3 days, 5 days, and 7-10 days… then you take your baby to their practice and they provide care until the baby is 6 weeks old.
I also like the fact that every time you go for an appointment, it is 45 minutes long so you have all your questions answered and they are very thorough. And they have a pager on 24/7 if you have any questions or concerns. So, it seems that the level of care you receive is just phenomenal. So, I am seriously considering going that route. I want to wait until I receive the results of the blood test this week, and if everything comes back okay, I think I’ll call the midwife practice to go for an initial interview to find out more about midwifery care and to help us decide if it is the kind of care we are seeking. I have heard nothing but good things about them. Decisions, decisions!
7 comments:
My cousin - the OB/GYN had always wanted to be a midwife and ended up becoming an OB/GYN because she didn't get into the Midwife school (hard program to get into). Anywho, she is all for midwifes and feels that they definitely have a role to play in childbirth. She has several midwife friends as well. Their common consensus is that it is better to go the OB/GYN route with your first child, but that after the first Midwife is equal and at that point it comes down to preference.
My sister went used a doctor when she had her baby and she saw the same doctor consistently throughout her pregnancy and it was the same doctor that delivered for her. I'm not sure why you would be concerned with not seeing the same person consistently going the doctor route. OB/GYNs have practices just like all other doctors. The ones that don't have their own practice assist on the surgical side of things.
Anywho. Congrats C-Dub, P.Eng.
It's not that I'm concerned about not seeing the same doctor, I know that would be the case, it's just doctors are so darn busy, you wouldn't get a 45 minute appointment with them every time. The midwives just seem to be more accessible, etc. They are with you for the entire birth, whereas a doctor would only be there for the very end.
I haven't made my mind up yet, I want to explore both options.
Both of my co-workers here that had babies in the last year went with midwives (first baby for one of them, second baby for the other). Both preferred the midwives because they felt that they received more personalized care. One caveat that I would bring up is to make absolutely sure that you like your midwife. If you meet them and it doesn't feel quite right, then obviously don't do it.
I don't think there's a problem going with either a midwife or a doctor, it really is just your preference. I say meet the midwife, get a feel for what you'd be getting, and go with what you feel afterwards. There's no right or wrong and everyone will have their opinions. You have to do what is right for you. :)
Being in the only province in Canada that does not cover the cost of having a midwife through the health system (and we're supposed to be the richest province... go figure) - I may be a little bitter on this subject! ;)
In all honesty, I'd go the midwife route. I got lucky and had spoken to a co-worker's wife who gave birth before me and I "requested" a certain nurse when I went into the hospital - providing she was on-shift and available. This woman is currently training to be a midwife, which is why she's so good.
Some people have the misconception (ha!) that having a midwife means a home-birth. This is not true. It is an option, but not a necessity. I think you will get a much higher quality of care with a midwife.
Which ever way you go... I hope your pregnancy is fabulous!
Oh... and Nej has a good point. I think you would have to feel 100% comfortable with your Midwife for things to work out. I certainly hope this is the case for you, if you go that route.
Yeah, I just know that my co-worker met with a couple of midwives and wasn't completely comfortable with one of them, so he went with the other person. I figure if I'm going to entrust my child with someone, I'd better like them! :)
Good point Niki. Midwives have traditionally done home births, but they now have full hospital access. I want to give birth in the hospital whether I go with a doctor or a midwife.
And yes, I would make sure I feel comfortable with the midwife before signing on. That's why they want you to come in for the "initial interview" before you officially begin care.
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