I'm about 29 weeks in, and I'm thinking about switching to a midwife. From my 3rd month when I finally got health insurance until now, I've been going to the women's clinic a few blocks from my home for all my visits and have been planning to deliver there. That seemed fine until now. Every visit, I see a new nurse practitioner. I haven't seen an actual doctor yet. I don't know who will be delivering my baby. The more and more I become attached to this baby, the more I'm distressed about bringing him into the world in such an impersonal way. My insurance covers it if I want to have a midwife and there's a few in the area who take my insurance. So my questions are: Am I too late in my pregnancy to switch to a midwife? My pregnancy is going perfectly with no foreseen complications thus far. Also, can I expect a delivery by a midwife to be more fulfilling, as opposed to the sterile, get in get out, mentality of doctor assisted births? If I switch to a midwife, do I go see the midwife for prenatal visits instead of the doctor? How does it work? I'd be the first in my family to even consider a midwife, so I'm completely clueless. Any help is much appreciated.
No, you are not too far in to switch! I was 37 weeks when I was forced into finding a new midwife. Heck, you could be in labour and find one, probably. Start interviewing now. Read lots of books on natural birth. Start meditating on what you want your labour to be. And don't settle for someone you don't click with!
of course you're not too late! We had women switching to use the midwives in the clinic here at 30 weeks and on. I had an OB/GYN birth in the hospital with an epidural and all that. The second time I used a miwife, had a water birth, and was in a much more peaceful atmosphere. I personally found the experience with the midwife sooooooooooooo much more fullfilling. With my doctor, I felt like a nobody. You would see a midwife the same you would a doctor. They do all the same things a doctor would, but in a much more "gentle" way.
Thank you so much! That cleared up a lot for me. I'll be making some calls next week for sure. Thank you!
