Aboyade

I had a friend who had her first two children at home with a midwife. While I am a firm advocate of alternative medicine, I was a little hesitant about going all the way "natural" for my childbirthing experiences so I opted for a midwife who operated through a hospital. My second and fourth children were born in this way.

While not the complete natural experience, it was close enough for me. I was able to walk around during contractions as opposed to being forced to stay in a prone position which was a big plus for me. The room was more conducive to delivery. The approach was much more humane than the dryness of a doctor popping in and out. It is an experience I would encourage all expectant mothers to at least explore.

alexis

I am still debating this if we have another child or not. I am not really sure I want to be all natural myself but I guess only time will tell.

grandma2twins

When I had my first (almost 23 years ago!), it was strictly labor room then delivery room with no options or choices for moms. Just 2 1/2 years later when I had my second daughter, you didn't go to the delivery room anymore but stayed in one room. By the time my son came along, five years later, you had the baby in the room you were staying in for the whole hospital stay and the baby stayed with you. In fact, the rooms were then called "birthing rooms" instead of labor rooms. I'm sure nowadays it's even more conducive to a natural birthing process.

KateWantsAnother

Was this like IV drugs? that's what I have had with my labors, up to around 7 or 8 cms, then I got the epidural, except with my 3rd, because it went to fast. I went from walking around to ready to push before the anesthesiologist could give me my epi! the doctor almost missed the delivery!

organicmum

I was blessed to have my choice of a couple local midwives. I can't say its for everyone and many people are probably not comfortable with an all natural birth, but it was important to me. Lots of them will come to the hospital as a nice midway between natural and technological as well.

Seattle_mom

Me too organicmum. Having an all natural birth was very important to me. I had both my 2 at home, and will have any future children at home too. Really, the pain, while intense in the moment, is so fleeting. And I loved not having anyone telling me when to push, or that if I didn't have that baby by such and such time they'd do a c/s.

momx3angels

I wish I had the option. Where I live there isn't a single midwife. I'd have loved to go that route though. I did the hospital births. The only good thing is I knew what I wanted and wouldn't take no for an answer. It wasn't bad, except I wanted to go home by 24 hours and here they keep you 2 days.

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MichelleG

I have never had a midwife but have seriously considered it for when we have baby #2.
I had my first in the hospital and I have to say my L & D nurse was fantastic!

knitting.mama

I had my girls in a birth center with midwives. Both times I gave birth in the tub. It was wonderful! We're planning the same thing this time.

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Sandra, mom to Freya (Aug 03), Elsa (Feb 05), ~Milo~ (Jun 07), and baby bean due mid-Aug 08.

katie

My brother's wife is a mid wife. I would have used her with my last baby except, at the time she and my brother were living in Alaska.