alexis
07-06-07, 02:47 PM
I thought about this during my second pregnancy alot. I was not sure if I wanted to go through the fun of a hospital again, or since living in a different state how being with a midwife would end up.
Advantages of a doctor:
- their expertise. Should a problem occur - they are well educated and equipped to handle it - even to the point of performing a cesarean if necessary. Their knowledge and know how can well treat a high risk pregnancy and comfortably treat a low risk pregnancy as well. They can order pain relief in the hospital during labor - which has many options itself. Because of their education - they do not have to answer to anyone else in the event an emergency arises. This in itself is reason enough that many women choose a doctor.
Advantages of a midwife:
- are personal attention and the allowance of you to labor and delivery with more freedom - from medical procedures. A midwife will undoubtedly be able to be with you during most of your labor and will promote and support an all natural childbirth. Most midwives charge less than that of doctors.
The 'less than a doctor' is one of the main things I was concerned with. My husband and I had just switched insurance companies about 6 weeks after I was pregnant, and we had no idea who to contact for the insurance questions (they sent out all vital information late!).
Random statistic:
In 2003, CNMs attended just over 7 percent of deliveries in the United States and over 10 percent of vaginal births (cnm: certified nurse-midwives).
Just somethings to think about. I am still happy that I choose a hospital, my OBGYN clinic was great, I had 8 doctors and met all of them before delivery time even came close. All were personal and understood exactly what I wanted for my birth plan, which is more than I can say for the doctors I had with my son. :)
Advantages of a doctor:
- their expertise. Should a problem occur - they are well educated and equipped to handle it - even to the point of performing a cesarean if necessary. Their knowledge and know how can well treat a high risk pregnancy and comfortably treat a low risk pregnancy as well. They can order pain relief in the hospital during labor - which has many options itself. Because of their education - they do not have to answer to anyone else in the event an emergency arises. This in itself is reason enough that many women choose a doctor.
Advantages of a midwife:
- are personal attention and the allowance of you to labor and delivery with more freedom - from medical procedures. A midwife will undoubtedly be able to be with you during most of your labor and will promote and support an all natural childbirth. Most midwives charge less than that of doctors.
The 'less than a doctor' is one of the main things I was concerned with. My husband and I had just switched insurance companies about 6 weeks after I was pregnant, and we had no idea who to contact for the insurance questions (they sent out all vital information late!).
Random statistic:
In 2003, CNMs attended just over 7 percent of deliveries in the United States and over 10 percent of vaginal births (cnm: certified nurse-midwives).
Just somethings to think about. I am still happy that I choose a hospital, my OBGYN clinic was great, I had 8 doctors and met all of them before delivery time even came close. All were personal and understood exactly what I wanted for my birth plan, which is more than I can say for the doctors I had with my son. :)