Midwife groups that support epidurals

[Anonymous]

Are there any in the DC area that are a good fit for patients that generally want midwife care during pregnancy but are certain they will be using an epidural?

[Anonymous]

I LOVED Arlington Women's Center at VHC. It's a group of OBS and midwives, but they all sort of act like midwives. They're fantastic.

[Anonymous]

WHC Midwives will support you if you want an epidural

[Anonymous]

Washington Hospital Center, for sure. Loved those midwives. I didn't have epidural, but I wanted the nitrous oxide, which really made my induction bearable. (I mean, it still hurt, but I could deal) No one made me feel bad about any pain relief choice at all.

[Anonymous]

Side note - do they ever prescribe benzos during labor? I ended up with an epidural, but I feel like I probably could have made it through labor with an anti-anxiety drug. From how I've heard nitrous described, I don't think it's exactly the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WHC Midwives will support you if you want an epidural

+1 I was with the WHC midwives and got an epidural during labor with no issues AND they induced me with no pushback (I was a week + overdue). The only "pushback" I got on the epidural was they wanted me to try to wait until I was dilated a certain amount before getting the epidural in case it slowed down labor but the emphasis was on "try", it wasn't a requirement. After a couple of hours, I couldn't do it anymore and they ordered the epidural no problem. Labor did slow down a bit at that point but it was fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Side note - do they ever prescribe benzos during labor? I ended up with an epidural, but I feel like I probably could have made it through labor with an anti-anxiety drug. From how I've heard nitrous described, I don't think it's exactly the same thing.

I think Xanax is a benzo? I asked for it going into my c-section and they said no because it would affect the baby. I had a scheduled c-section because of a breech baby, so no imminent distress to the baby. I was so freaked out about the surgery that my blood pressure shot to 220 and they gave me Xanax in the IV as soon as the baby was out. So that makes me think they wouldn't give it to you for hours of labor?

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I’ll check them out. I delivered my first at sibley - is WHC fairly similar experience?

[Anonymous]

Midwifery Care Associates, if you’re in MD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, I’ll check them out. I delivered my first at sibley - is WHC fairly similar experience?

WHC and Sibley are very different hospitals serving very different patient populations, from my understanding. They have different level NICUs as well. I have heard positive things about both from friends who delivered at them.

[Anonymous]

Physicians and Midwives in Alexandria didn't blink when I demanded all the pain meds (Epi included)

[Anonymous]

What's the purpose of having a midwife over an OB if you're planning on having an epidural?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Midwifery Care Associates, if you’re in MD.

+1
Tara in particular is so supportive of individual choice.

As for why go to a midwife if you want an epidural: they still can help minimize unnecessary interventions during L&D and often have a different approach during pregnancy that some women prefer. I am so grateful I was low risk enough for midwives-they were awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Physicians and Midwives in Alexandria didn't blink when I demanded all the pain meds (Epi included)

+ They were fantastic and I went in to the birth knowing I wanted an epidural.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the purpose of having a midwife over an OB if you're planning on having an epidural?