Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that its too bad more midwives aren't willing to just HELP women get through birth, whichever way they need to get through it. Would I love to have a midwife because of their extensive experience, special attention and knowledge of positioning etc? Of course! But am I willing to COMMIT to a natural childbirth (after experiencing an extremely painful 20 hour labor that was made bearable by an epidural) and then feeling like a failure? Absolutely not.

Why can't a midwife just say, "we are going to try and assure that you have the birth you want and if that means an epi then lovely!" Instead of "kind of making fun of you for begging for it" after the fact, as one PP said. This is why the movement gets a bad rap.

I posted earlier, but the MCA midwives are like this. They will do everything they can to minimize intervention, will educate you about the drawbacks of epidurals, and still support you if you choose one and recommend them in cases in which they're indicated.

I think people are confusing the issues here: the OP doesn't want to be judged for choosing an epidural during a long, complicated labor. She shouldn't be. You can be as committed as they come to unmedicated labor and still have a labor in which medication is, in fact, indicated. And if it is, you shouldn't be judged for that.

It's not that hard.

And the GW midwives don't judge you for that. Jeez. They're not judgey at all! A lot of people say Whitney is, but I don't even think she is as judgey as she seems. She's just driven by a set of ideals that frankly, don't get a lot of respect among a lot of medical professionals. She's got a particular point of view. But even she would recommend an epidural for a labor like OP's, or at least extend it as an option.

Except that a doula posted earlier in this thread that some of the GW midwives *do* in fact, judge women who get epidurals. And another poster wrote that one of the midwives jokingly chided a friend who'd ended up with an epidural. I don't know if Whitney in particular is one of them, but multiple people posting that they've either witnessed or heard about some judgment around epidurals coming from *some of* the GW midwives indicates that it does happen.

I don't think the MCA midwives walk on water or anything, I just haven't detected a whiff of judgment about this topic in particular from any of them. People on this board act sometimes as if the GW midwives are the only ones out there, and they're not.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that its too bad more midwives aren't willing to just HELP women get through birth, whichever way they need to get through it. Would I love to have a midwife because of their extensive experience, special attention and knowledge of positioning etc? Of course! But am I willing to COMMIT to a natural childbirth (after experiencing an extremely painful 20 hour labor that was made bearable by an epidural) and then feeling like a failure? Absolutely not.

Why can't a midwife just say, "we are going to try and assure that you have the birth you want and if that means an epi then lovely!" Instead of "kind of making fun of you for begging for it" after the fact, as one PP said. This is why the movement gets a bad rap.

I posted earlier, but the MCA midwives are like this. They will do everything they can to minimize intervention, will educate you about the drawbacks of epidurals, and still support you if you choose one and recommend them in cases in which they're indicated.

I think people are confusing the issues here: the OP doesn't want to be judged for choosing an epidural during a long, complicated labor. She shouldn't be. You can be as committed as they come to unmedicated labor and still have a labor in which medication is, in fact, indicated. And if it is, you shouldn't be judged for that.

It's not that hard.

And the GW midwives don't judge you for that. Jeez. They're not judgey at all! A lot of people say Whitney is, but I don't even think she is as judgey as she seems. She's just driven by a set of ideals that frankly, don't get a lot of respect among a lot of medical professionals. She's got a particular point of view. But even she would recommend an epidural for a labor like OP's, or at least extend it as an option.

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP who doesn't understand (appreciate?) the anti-OB mindset. My OB is very pro-natural childbirth and last appointment told me that her job, other than ensuring a healthy mom and baby, is to ensure I don't end up with a C-Section.

With the midwives, they often don't educate their patients about the realities of pregnancy complications. When I listen to midwife patients (I'm in a childbirth class), I often can't believe how innocent they are. I'd rather, personally, have a provider who is realistic to the risks than pretends it's all roses and cupcakes and tubs of flowing water. It's often not. And the GW midwives, who often fail to educate on these issues, benefit from the OB swooping in the basically save the day.

Anyone can attempt to have as natural a childbirth as they seek - I think you're going to find more flexible care with some local, younger OBs than with many of the midwives who are very judgmental.

I went to Meet the Midwives and decided against it because I felt like they didn't care about me. I never felt that way with my OB. Everyone is different, and the only sure bet is to be an educated patient.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP who doesn't understand (appreciate?) the anti-OB mindset. My OB is very pro-natural childbirth and last appointment told me that her job, other than ensuring a healthy mom and baby, is to ensure I don't end up with a C-Section.

With the midwives, they often don't educate their patients about the realities of pregnancy complications. When I listen to midwife patients (I'm in a childbirth class), I often can't believe how innocent they are. I'd rather, personally, have a provider who is realistic to the risks than pretends it's all roses and cupcakes and tubs of flowing water. It's often not. And the GW midwives, who often fail to educate on these issues, benefit from the OB swooping in the basically save the day.

Anyone can attempt to have as natural a childbirth as they seek - I think you're going to find more flexible care with some local, younger OBs than with many of the midwives who are very judgmental.

I went to Meet the Midwives and decided against it because I felt like they didn't care about me. I never felt that way with my OB. Everyone is different, and the only sure bet is to be an educated patient.

You have a chip on your shoulder the size of Detroit, and I'm not sure why, but since you are not a patient of the GW midwives, how the F do you know they "often fail" to educate on the issues? I don't even believe you went to meet the midwives, since they spend time at that session talking about when childbirth does NOT go through door number 1, i.e. the normal childbirth. You are welcome to your opinion, but I sure do wish you'd keep the inaccurate depictions of a practice you don't belong to, to yourself. I'm a patient of the GW midwives, and I've found that they are clear as a bell on complications (I have some). They are actually more pro-intervention on some things than my first OB was, so I'm not in complete disagreement with folks who say that some OBs can be less intervention happy than some midwives. But a midwife and an OB specialize in different things. Your rancor toward the midwives is really hard for me to understand, but I am sure you have your reasons. It would be good for you to advise on your opinion only, though, and not try to give factual information that you don't possess.

Because I would say 90% of the pregnant women I know are with wisdom, and their lack of understand of the basic complications shocks me. Perhaps it's because there's always an OB back up, there is a the little luxury of "if something does need to be taken care of, there's someone there".

And i could easily say the same thing about how people respond to OBs here. I'm obviously stating my opinion and experience. I don't know anything else about any medical provider. Neither does anyone else. And yes, I met with the midwives (prior to getting pregnant). I was not a good "candidate" because I was open about my belief that the worst thing in the world isn't a C Section (not that I want one, but I understand there are reasons when they are appropriate and save lives).

Okay, so what you are saying is that your conclusions are based on information provided to you by the 90 percent of your own personal friends, (which of course must be complete, because don't we all relay word for word what a care provider tells or does not tell us, and they would never forget to tell you some tedious detail that their midwives went over...) the wisdom midwives do not inform patients of complications? LOL. What are you doing, grilling your friends about complications to see how their responses measure up against your own, as informed about complications as you are from your OBs?

Your characterization of what the midwives say or why you're not a candidate, does not match reality. I've had complications. I am WITH wisdom. My complications include spiking blood pressure, a cord abnormality, and another issue, plus AMA. They collaborate with their OBs all along. I've seen an MFM to go over my blood pressure, at the recommendation of wisdom. (the MFM said i was fine to continue with midwives). I've had monitoring for my cord issue, and it has been explained VERY well to me. They do not guarantee nobody will ever get a c-section. What they guarantee is that you will get a c-section if you need one, but you will not get an unnecessary one. This is very different from your absurd insistence that you were not a good candidate for their care because you do not see a c section as "the enemy."

You are just sounding sillier and sillier every time you post!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The GW Midwives expect that their first-time pregnant clients will take a comprehensive natural childbirth class, and any good one will go over the MANY complications that can arise. My Bradley class was 3/4 GW midwives patients. It was really long--I think 12 weeks, 2 hours a week--and in addition to learning things like labor positions and breathing techniques, we spent a lot of time talking about complications that can arise.

In fact, when my water broke about a minute before my daughter came out, there was meconium in it. Laura (GW midwife) told me this and I said, in between pushes "oh, that means that you can't let the umbilical cord pulsate and that the neonatal care unit will need to see the baby right away to suction and make sure sure there aren't any inifections."

You said all that while pushing, eh? Did Laura give you an A?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP who doesn't understand (appreciate?) the anti-OB mindset. My OB is very pro-natural childbirth and last appointment told me that her job, other than ensuring a healthy mom and baby, is to ensure I don't end up with a C-Section.

With the midwives, they often don't educate their patients about the realities of pregnancy complications. When I listen to midwife patients (I'm in a childbirth class), I often can't believe how innocent they are. I'd rather, personally, have a provider who is realistic to the risks than pretends it's all roses and cupcakes and tubs of flowing water. It's often not. And the GW midwives, who often fail to educate on these issues, benefit from the OB swooping in the basically save the day.

Anyone can attempt to have as natural a childbirth as they seek - I think you're going to find more flexible care with some local, younger OBs than with many of the midwives who are very judgmental.

I went to Meet the Midwives and decided against it because I felt like they didn't care about me. I never felt that way with my OB. Everyone is different, and the only sure bet is to be an educated patient.

You have a chip on your shoulder the size of Detroit, and I'm not sure why, but since you are not a patient of the GW midwives, how the F do you know they "often fail" to educate on the issues? I don't even believe you went to meet the midwives, since they spend time at that session talking about when childbirth does NOT go through door number 1, i.e. the normal childbirth. You are welcome to your opinion, but I sure do wish you'd keep the inaccurate depictions of a practice you don't belong to, to yourself. I'm a patient of the GW midwives, and I've found that they are clear as a bell on complications (I have some). They are actually more pro-intervention on some things than my first OB was, so I'm not in complete disagreement with folks who say that some OBs can be less intervention happy than some midwives. But a midwife and an OB specialize in different things. Your rancor toward the midwives is really hard for me to understand, but I am sure you have your reasons. It would be good for you to advise on your opinion only, though, and not try to give factual information that you don't possess.

Because I would say 90% of the pregnant women I know are with wisdom, and their lack of understand of the basic complications shocks me. Perhaps it's because there's always an OB back up, there is a the little luxury of "if something does need to be taken care of, there's someone there".

And i could easily say the same thing about how people respond to OBs here. I'm obviously stating my opinion and experience. I don't know anything else about any medical provider. Neither does anyone else. And yes, I met with the midwives (prior to getting pregnant). I was not a good "candidate" because I was open about my belief that the worst thing in the world isn't a C Section (not that I want one, but I understand there are reasons when they are appropriate and save lives).

Anonymous wrote:The GW Midwives expect that their first-time pregnant clients will take a comprehensive natural childbirth class, and any good one will go over the MANY complications that can arise. My Bradley class was 3/4 GW midwives patients. It was really long--I think 12 weeks, 2 hours a week--and in addition to learning things like labor positions and breathing techniques, we spent a lot of time talking about complications that can arise.

In fact, when my water broke about a minute before my daughter came out, there was meconium in it. Laura (GW midwife) told me this and I said, in between pushes "oh, that means that you can't let the umbilical cord pulsate and that the neonatal care unit will need to see the baby right away to suction and make sure sure there aren't any inifections."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP who doesn't understand (appreciate?) the anti-OB mindset. My OB is very pro-natural childbirth and last appointment told me that her job, other than ensuring a healthy mom and baby, is to ensure I don't end up with a C-Section.

With the midwives, they often don't educate their patients about the realities of pregnancy complications. When I listen to midwife patients (I'm in a childbirth class), I often can't believe how innocent they are. I'd rather, personally, have a provider who is realistic to the risks than pretends it's all roses and cupcakes and tubs of flowing water. It's often not. And the GW midwives, who often fail to educate on these issues, benefit from the OB swooping in the basically save the day.

Anyone can attempt to have as natural a childbirth as they seek - I think you're going to find more flexible care with some local, younger OBs than with many of the midwives who are very judgmental.

I went to Meet the Midwives and decided against it because I felt like they didn't care about me. I never felt that way with my OB. Everyone is different, and the only sure bet is to be an educated patient.

You have a chip on your shoulder the size of Detroit, and I'm not sure why, but since you are not a patient of the GW midwives, how the F do you know they "often fail" to educate on the issues? I don't even believe you went to meet the midwives, since they spend time at that session talking about when childbirth does NOT go through door number 1, i.e. the normal childbirth. You are welcome to your opinion, but I sure do wish you'd keep the inaccurate depictions of a practice you don't belong to, to yourself. I'm a patient of the GW midwives, and I've found that they are clear as a bell on complications (I have some). They are actually more pro-intervention on some things than my first OB was, so I'm not in complete disagreement with folks who say that some OBs can be less intervention happy than some midwives. But a midwife and an OB specialize in different things. Your rancor toward the midwives is really hard for me to understand, but I am sure you have your reasons. It would be good for you to advise on your opinion only, though, and not try to give factual information that you don't possess.

Because I would say 90% of the pregnant women I know are with wisdom, and their lack of understand of the basic complications shocks me. Perhaps it's because there's always an OB back up, there is a the little luxury of "if something does need to be taken care of, there's someone there".

And i could easily say the same thing about how people respond to OBs here. I'm obviously stating my opinion and experience. I don't know anything else about any medical provider. Neither does anyone else. And yes, I met with the midwives (prior to getting pregnant). I was not a good "candidate" because I was open about my belief that the worst thing in the world isn't a C Section (not that I want one, but I understand there are reasons when they are appropriate and save lives).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that its too bad more midwives aren't willing to just HELP women get through birth, whichever way they need to get through it. Would I love to have a midwife because of their extensive experience, special attention and knowledge of positioning etc? Of course! But am I willing to COMMIT to a natural childbirth (after experiencing an extremely painful 20 hour labor that was made bearable by an epidural) and then feeling like a failure? Absolutely not.

Why can't a midwife just say, "we are going to try and assure that you have the birth you want and if that means an epi then lovely!" Instead of "kind of making fun of you for begging for it" after the fact, as one PP said. This is why the movement gets a bad rap.

I posted earlier, but the MCA midwives are like this. They will do everything they can to minimize intervention, will educate you about the drawbacks of epidurals, and still support you if you choose one and recommend them in cases in which they're indicated.

I think people are confusing the issues here: the OP doesn't want to be judged for choosing an epidural during a long, complicated labor. She shouldn't be. You can be as committed as they come to unmedicated labor and still have a labor in which medication is, in fact, indicated. And if it is, you shouldn't be judged for that.

It's not that hard.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP who doesn't understand (appreciate?) the anti-OB mindset. My OB is very pro-natural childbirth and last appointment told me that her job, other than ensuring a healthy mom and baby, is to ensure I don't end up with a C-Section.

With the midwives, they often don't educate their patients about the realities of pregnancy complications. When I listen to midwife patients (I'm in a childbirth class), I often can't believe how innocent they are. I'd rather, personally, have a provider who is realistic to the risks than pretends it's all roses and cupcakes and tubs of flowing water. It's often not. And the GW midwives, who often fail to educate on these issues, benefit from the OB swooping in the basically save the day.

Anyone can attempt to have as natural a childbirth as they seek - I think you're going to find more flexible care with some local, younger OBs than with many of the midwives who are very judgmental.

I went to Meet the Midwives and decided against it because I felt like they didn't care about me. I never felt that way with my OB. Everyone is different, and the only sure bet is to be an educated patient.

You have a chip on your shoulder the size of Detroit, and I'm not sure why, but since you are not a patient of the GW midwives, how the F do you know they "often fail" to educate on the issues? I don't even believe you went to meet the midwives, since they spend time at that session talking about when childbirth does NOT go through door number 1, i.e. the normal childbirth. You are welcome to your opinion, but I sure do wish you'd keep the inaccurate depictions of a practice you don't belong to, to yourself. I'm a patient of the GW midwives, and I've found that they are clear as a bell on complications (I have some). They are actually more pro-intervention on some things than my first OB was, so I'm not in complete disagreement with folks who say that some OBs can be less intervention happy than some midwives. But a midwife and an OB specialize in different things. Your rancor toward the midwives is really hard for me to understand, but I am sure you have your reasons. It would be good for you to advise on your opinion only, though, and not try to give factual information that you don't possess.