[Rosario]

I'm planning on employing an all-natural midwife and homebirth. As long as you are close to a hospital in case of emergency, what are generally seen as the disadvantages of using a midwife?
All I see is the advantages: for us "natural" minded women, no unnecessary pills and drugs; personalized, one-on-one prenatal care and advice; way cheaper; not having to deal with hospitals, etc

[journeybirth]

Depending on the state you're in, you might not be received well if you do have to transport. Other than that, I didn't see any disadvantages to using a homebirth midwife! Good luck!

[fawnanddoe]

I am also using a midwife and I wouldn't have it any other way!

I also do not see any disadvantages. I do not like unnecessary medical interventions, and there are a lot of them in birth

[heartofadoula]

I'm a student midwife, so I guess I'm a little biased. But midwives are THE way for all low risk pregnancies. There are very few disadvantages- the only legit. one being the fact that you aren't at a hosptial in case something bad DOES happen. But so often the midwife can just take care of it herself- and faster- than at a hospital. :-)

[laboroflovedoula]

I have often heard it said, "A doctor sees birth as an emergency about to happen. A midwife sees birth as normal." If you are looking for a low interventive birth- the midwifery model is definitely the way to go! The countries that have a better infant mortality and maternal morbidity rate all have one thing in common- midwifery is the model of care and home birth in most of those places is considered normal.

[roknrbn1]

The only disadvantages I can think of are financial, for the hospital & entourage that is. Some insurance will cover midwives, but who has insurance these days anyway? Good luck, you'll be fine!

[bellabirthing]

the only disadvantage i can think of would be if you have insurance and it won't cover a midwife. but check it out carefully, sometimes it just depends on how she bills it, you might get it covered.

i would understand what might happen in the unlikely event of a transport, why it might happen, where you would go, who would care for you, etc. just so you are prepared for that contingency, but you probably will have a wonderful birth under a midwife's care. i know i did! painfree, quiet, comfortable, intimate, in my own bathtub, and a beautiful healthy baby girl.

Sasha Lindberg,
birth doula and natural birth educator

[roknrbn1]

One thing that will help smooth the way as far as the hospital goes, is if you pre-register at the hospital you would attend if you had to. It doesn't cost anything and there is certainly no obligation. My daughter did that even though she had a midwife and delivered at home. Her midwife suggested it, to make any emergency transitions go more smoothly.

[WombToBloom]

Great idea...at least you have a Plan B at the ready just in case.

[SnowWhite]

To Teresa Howard: I am interested to know what all the letters behind your name stand for.