[Kiwi]

Most of the independant midwifes in the city I live in, seem to be taking January and February off next year (including the midwife that we used last time), so we don't get a lot of choice this time... However we have meet with two midwifes and they are both so nice, so I don't know who to pick...

Both midwifes work for the same independant company, both are totally all for Home Births and open to things like water birth and Hypnobirthing. Both love the idea of a natural birth and were so excited when we told them that is what we wanted... Both carry gas with them and have access to birth pools, so we won't have to pay for that.

Midwife 1
Pro's
- Best midwife in Whangarei (according to my doctor)
- Heaps of experience (over 16 years as an independant midwife)
- She wants a bit of a 'holiday' in January next year, so is only taking on women who she has worked with before or women who had our previous midwife before (so only one other women due in January so far).
Con's
- Although she'll come out and see us after the birth, I kinda got the impression they have it pretty 'set' as to how often they come out (ie once a day for the first week, couple of times during the second week and so on).

Midwife 2
Pro's
- Seemed to 'click' a little better with this one. Seemed very very friendly!
- Seemed to offer a lot more support after the birth. Was happy to come out to see me 'a few times a day if I needed it'. Heaps of support with breastfeeding etc.
Con's
- Due to so many midwifes taking time off in January, she is taking on 6 women due then, instead of her normal 5, so there is a chance I will end up with her partner as a midwife during the birth (who I will get to meet during my pregnancy).
- Much less experience - only two years as an independant midwife, and 3 years before that in hospitals.
- My doctor didn't say anything about this midwife, so not sure what he thinks of her!

[szczepanski]

Well it seems like you have to make a decision this way -

What is more important to you, support during labor or the support & care you will receive after labor?

[Kiwi]

Hmmm... I think both is important, but what I am most worried about is the support I will get after the labour. That is the only concern I have with a Home Birth. I kinda expect that my body will know what to do during labour, but I know I'll need more help with afterwards - breastfeeding etc.

[~*Bethy*~]

Im totally different. But then again Ive had kids before. Im more worried whats going to go on during the birth, than after.

If whats important to you is whats going on AFTER the birth, then yes, I would go with the 2nd one. Is there anyway to contact other women who've given birth with the 2nd midwife, for a testimony of their birth and after?

Good luck and keep us posted!!

[**Jenn**]

I agree with Beth. My midwife came at 3-4 days pp and that was it, though they called every day up until then to get our vitals and see how everything was. That worked great for me but sounds like you'll want more support than that. See if you can contact any of her previous patients for a testimony. Thats crazy that so many midwives are taking the summer off by you.

[~*sierra*~]

first of all i just want to say that i am now planning on having my future babies in NZ! they come out every day for a week!! that is awesome! I think here they come out the day after the birth, and then again a week later and that's pretty much it.

will ur DF be taking time off when you have the baby? Because once a day for a week seems like it would be great follow up care to me especially if you had DF home to help out too......that being said however, if you really clicked with the other midwife I'd say go with her. just because someone is the 'best midwife' doesnt mean she's the best midwife for you, plus she is more supportive afterwards than the other one, and with 5 years total under her belt she is definitely qualified to help you with labour and birth. As far as having her partner come over instead of her, as long as you get a chance to get to know her i think it should be alright. i will say avoid midwives who are still learning for your first baby, i found it really irritating having a student at my SILs birth and i wasnt even the one giving birth!

i am sooooooooooo excited for ur ultrasound tasha!!!!!!

[~*Bethy*~]

Student midwifes are one thing, but apprentices are another, Sarah. I will be having an apprentice at my birth, and Ive had her at every single one of my appointments, and I LOVE her! Granted, yes shes still learning, but I love her personality! I doubt a new midwife would be working alone. Then again laws are different there, but I highly doubt Tasha would be a "learning case" kwim? Shed have to sign a consent for it if that were the case.

[Mars]

Ditto Beth. Good luck!

[~*sierra*~]

oh yeah my SIL had to agree to have the student/apprentice midwife participate in her care, but in hindsight she wished she hadnt. SIL was nervous and stressed and every check had two hands going up there, i just dont think it helped matters to progress. not to mention it was really irritating to have the student check her and then have the other midwife correct her, someone experiencing birth (in any way) for the first time does not benefit from even that small moment of uncertainty (IMO). i guess it would depend on exactly how they did things too, but theres so much that you can't even fathom until you go through it that my reccomendation is to avoid students/apprentices for a first baby, or at least have them be 100% handsoff in the process and strictly observe. totally just my opinion. my opinion is solely based on my experience though....others could have completely different takes on it and they would be equally as valid! just sharing my experience..............btw sidebar, i feel so lucky to have been at my SIL's birth, more and more its an experience i cherish and wish that other women could experience too. that's one thing that modern medicine has sent the way of the dodo, so many people experience labour without ever having seen someone go through it.......

[Kiwi]

We have decided we'll go with Midwife 1. We both liked her, plus her experience, recommendation from doctor and the fact she only has one other women due in January makes her appeal to us more. I guess I'll just have to ask her about the extra support after the labour and see what she says.

Regarding a student midwife, I don't think we'll have one during our pregnancy/birth. When we went for the second scan with our last pregnancy, the midwife brought a student with her, but didn't ask us if that was okay first. I found it so distressing having a stranger sitting there looking at me while I was receiving this horrible news about my baby. Maybe I would have felt different if the news had been good, and our baby had been healthy, but it really pissed me off and upset me at the time.

That is one of the first questions I've asked each midwife I have meet this time around - and they all say the same thing, that it's up to me and I'll be asked first if there is going to be another person in the room.

I guess it's the same as picking your doctor or a midwife... meet them first, see how you feel towards them, ask what their roles will be during your pregnancy/birth... and go from there! That's how I figure it anyways

[~*sierra*~]

so glad you've made a decision you are happy with! its def nice to know theres only one other person due that month.

[Kiwi]

Sarah - forgot to add, DF will be taking off at least two weeks after the baby comes.

[~*sierra*~]

oh sweet as! (just throwing some kiwi lingo around hehehe) you should be all set then!

[~*Bethy*~]

Congrats on making a decision!!

[LisanAndy]

Just now reading this.. congrats on making a decision