Midwife

I'm in alberta, and have a midwife. I like having one cause they are more personable than my general physican and they stay with you the entire pregnancy instead of just the beginning. There is no passing you on to an OB. In Canada, midwives can deliver in hospital, home, or birthing centre's. My midwife had the option of 2 separate hospitals she had authorization to deliver patients in. From the beginning of my pregnancy she would see me every 4 weeks. And now that I'm over 30 weeks she is seeing my biweekly and then weekly after 36 weeks. She stuck around with me during my first pregnancy where I ended up having a TFMR after our daughter was diagnosed with a fatal condition. I did have an OB "deliver" my stillborn. But the midwife stuck around at the hospital the entirety that I needed her during my first labour. I'm now using her for my second pregnancy and she has continued to be amazing with both experiences. And very gentle, and takes her time to answer any of my questions. I never feel rushed.

I’m in Canada as well and I had a midwife. I wouldn’t say you need one but I would highly recommend getting one. For me it made my pregnancy journey so reassuring. My husband and I gained so much knowledge. If there were any questions I had she was just a message/call away which isn’t as easy with an OBGYN. Our appointments weren’t rushed. Our midwife was just heaven sent. Even during postpartum she brought us food a couple times. She now feels like part of the family. She was with me throughout my pregnancy, during labour and delivery and PP. I was having trouble breastfeeding and she was so encouraging, supportive and informative. My daughter is almost three months and she came by and dropped us food yesterday for Sunday dinner. I witnessed my sister give birth twice and both times her OBGYN wasn’t even available when it was time to give birth. The doctor didn’t even come in until she was ready to push and literally deliver baby. The midwife experience was more intimate.

Im in nyc, i didnt have one aibce over here they arent included in family planning fees for insurances (its an out of pocket expense mostly), but i did have pregnancy and after care services at a very good hospital here nyu, that had a joint midwife program so i got to experience that after my csection. It was great.

@Jesika I’m in Alberta as well in Calgary. Thank you so much for the insight. I had a stillbirth last time and I’m very very scared this time. Between every visit with the doctor there’s a huge time gap plus my family doctor wants me to see the OB asap and OB wants to know why should they see me earlier than 18th week. For most part my family doctor is either away on vacation so she is not the best I have right now. That’s why I thought whether or not should I see a midwife. Can you suggest as to what should I look for in a midwife? Also, is it covered by Alberta health or is it something I will have to pay out of pocket?

@Xiomara E. yeah! I think it’s different in US. Here you don’t get as many visits with your OB/Gyn and are not very easily reachable.

@Nika thank you so much for your insight. I guess I’d like to explore the option of a midwife. I’d just want to know as to what should I look for and how should I search for the right one.

I think it depends on your values and what is important to you. When I was searching they normally have a picture and a little description of the background of the midwife. So I would read each one and see who resonates with you the best. Age, ethnicity, education, experience, etc. May be things that you may want to look into. I personally looked for someone with a similar cultural background- that was important to me. And yes, it is covered by Alberta health. You have to go on a website, you can apply to as many places as you want and they will ask you which midwives you prefer. You will get a call in a couple weeks if you’ve been accepted. I applied when I just found out I was pregnant (around 4/5 weeks) and got a call back when I was around 12weeks. I got the midwife I wanted cause I live in a rural area so I guess it’s not as busy as Calgary. I would apply asap cause it can take a while to get accepted, especially in the city.