MW vs OB
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23908
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Topic: MW vs OB
Posted By: Mum_mum
Subject: MW vs OB
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 9:46am
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Hey just wanted to know your opinions on either getting a Midwife or an Obstrician?
Obviously they can't prevent a M/C or anything and i know that an OB is heaps more expensive but im not sure what to go with. My parents said they would pay for OB and also we ahve some health insurance that will cover a bit but is it worth the money? What different things do they offer from a Midwife? Thanks in advance  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
 Angel baby - May 2008
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Replies:
Posted By: Margs B
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 11:16am
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We went with a OB. It was a personal choice but was well worth it. Most are about $3000 and to be honest worth every cent for the peace of mind. I saw my OB once a month until 32 weeks now i see him every 2 weeks till bubbas born and each time he saw me scanned to check bubba (i have a lovely collection of pics) checked my BP and was very good with my DH. Two people from work have had him to deliever there babies and all had nothing but fantastic things to say about him.
I have meet some lovely midwifes too but we live up the kapiti coast and so there work load is not so heavy. I guess it just depends on you and if you have had any problems. Our bubba was an IVF bubba so we wanted to make sure that we were looked after. Had it been a normal conception i probably would have just gone with a midwife. Hope that helps.  ------------- DS March 09 IVF Angel Baby Jan 13 |
Posted By: RubyG
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 11:26am
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Hi Hannahbil, Congratulations!!
We decided to go with an ob over just a midwidfe - so that if there were any complications we knew who we were dealing with rather than having to go thru the public system and have a different Dr each visit. Like you we have got $1200 thru southern cross - so only leaved a couple of grand. I know lots of people who have just had midwife care and had really positive experiences - but I am sure we have all heard the horror stories too. I am in Welly and have Dr Michel Sangalli - he is great and I get to have a scan every 4 weeks when we see him. He has a team of three midwives that work with him - so you get the specialist/Dr experience as well as all the support from a midwife team too. I really like having the scans each time - beacuse until I could feel the baby moving i was completely paranoid about something going wrong. If you want to go with him you need to get in really quickly as he books up fast. I would definitley do a specialist next time too - as long as we can still afford it on one income!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 11:39am
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Midwives are for a 'normal' pregnancy and birth and if you are interested in a natural birth this is the way to go. They will refer you on to an OB if something isn't 'normal' They will come to your house and probably get to know you as a whole a bit better your relationship should be more like a partnership.
OB are obviously more medicalised and will probably intervene a bit more (more scans, earlier induction etc) but then they might not as well. Obs focus soley on your pregnancy and anything that is directly involved with it. If you think about the kind of pregnancy and birth you want, if there is any family history of complications and how you feel about the pregnancy you can figure out what is best for you. No matter who you chose you should always feel like your issues are addressed. Congratulations on your pregnancy
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Posted By: Bel
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 11:45am
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Think thats a great way of putting it Rach. It all depends on what type of birth and care you want.
I thought seriously about an OB for this pregnancy after BP issues with DS. But up here we don't have any private OBs, only public, so you have to be referred through from your mw/gp anyway. This has worked out well for us, as my BP has been perfect so far! I am not entirely sure, but maybe you could meet with both and see which way you want to go? I know that you can meet with MWs before they sign you up to make sure you get along and agree with their philosophies... ------------- Mum to two beautiful kids 
Luke (09.11.2007) Amy (01.04.2009) |
Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 12:27pm
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Hi Hannahbil. My parents also said they would pay for us to get an OB. I wanted to try and do things myself too, so did try and find a midwife, but the first one I rang said I can't be pregnant if I was due in March (hmm ok then) and the second one never rang me back. So I decided to flag that idea and accept my parents' offer! We go to Howard Clentworth in Lower Hutt. It's $2700, with the first $1000 payable around 28 weeks, and the balance after the baby is born. It's been great so far. We had an appointment every two weeks from 8 weeks pregnant, which he said was to "reassure" us (after my previous m/c). It was great seeing that wee heart beating away on the screen every fortnight! Then after 18 weeks we went to 4 weekly appointments because everything looked perfect with the baby and my pregnancy was going really well. Now I'm back on fortnightly appointments again and they apparently go to weekly from 36 weeks.
Overall I'm glad I'm with an OB for this pregnancy because it's really set my mind at ease knowing that I'm well looked after. And he delivered quite a few of my friends so must know what he's doing!! Good luck making your choice, in the end it's what you feel most comfortable with! ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 12:33pm
It also depends on who you get as a Midwife mine was useless! She had such a huge caseload I hardly ever saw her and she couldn't make it to the birth  Luckily because I was having twins I was seeing a specialist and having scan once a week in the last few months so my mind was mostly set at ease. It was just a shame I ended up seeing a different person every week  -------------  
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 12:44pm
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I was happy with my mw , she was there at every appointment and at the birth, my friend however had a completly different mw to the one she'd had through out pregnancy . Not that she cared much by then , she just wanted the baby out .
But it would be nicer if the mw at the birth is the same one you have all through your pregnancy imo ------------- 
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Posted By: Mum_mum
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 1:13pm
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Thanks guys, I think firstly i might need to tell my parents then go from there. I like the idea of an OB but then who looks after me for the first few weeks after baby? Do i still go to the OB? Or does a nurse or something come to you? We get about $1000 off through health insurance so that will help heaps! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
Angel baby - May 2008
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Posted By: RubyG
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 1:22pm
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With any specialist you have one of their midwives who work for them aswell as the Dr for care and support. The midwife will visit you at home for the same amount of visits as just having a midwife and you and your baby go back to your specialist after the birth to be checked up too. I see my specialist every 4 weeks and from 20 weeks see my midwife every 4 weeks - alternating. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: ginger
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 1:38pm
We went for an OB ($4,000 later  ) but I wouldn't have it any other way now. The pregnancy care we have had has been incredible, and one thing that makes me feel very comfortable is the accountability of a specialist if anything goes wrong. I feel so, so comfortable with our OB, and absolutely relaxed about every decision we make together - I feel like I am completely informed, in control and in very, very safe hands. I also like that if we require intervention or a c/s HE will be doing the lot, so if it goes to c/s I know who will be cutting me open and I trust him absolutely.
The extra scans are awesome - we get one every visit and he is on the end of the phone 24/7 for everything. I know this is coincidental, and doesn't speak for all midwives, but of our antenatal class 3 have birthed so far - 2 have had a horrendous time and the other said she had a good birth. The 2 who had awful births were with midwives and the other was with a specialist (me and her have the same guy so that makes me feel a bit more relaxed too!!). I know there are awesome midwives out there, but personally, I'm an OB girl. ------------- Cuinn Lachlan 23.1.09 - 22:00 Antonia Helene 4.8.11 - 09:41 |
Posted By: Margs B
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 1:55pm
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I'm with Dr Michel Sangalli as well and he is great. His midwifes look after you after bubs is born for the same amount of time as a m/w. All 3 m/w are all very good and really easy to deal with.
Good luck ------------- DS March 09 IVF Angel Baby Jan 13 |
Posted By: Jessica
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 2:01pm
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I have been under both and I have chosen to go back to my midwife this time, because she was so awesome with my last preg and birth. I really think it comes to down the individual people and who you are most comfortable with. Our midwives work in pairs so we always see one or the other at appointments and will have one of them at the birth, with lachie they were both there Mine are also awesome becuase they refer me for a scan anytime I start feeling nervous (lots!), mainly because of my past history. ------------- 
Our con-joined boys 20 wk |
Posted By: FreeSpirit
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 2:31pm
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For this pregnancy I had a midwife, and I'm one of those horror stories. After an incredibly long labour, on day 9 I saw a OB and she gave my MW a huge dressing down and asked why I wasn't seen by an OB 6days ago, I was in surgery for an emergency c-section 45 minutes later. If I did it again, I'd push to have an OB see me from the start. ------------- http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: whitewave
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 3:52pm
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Okay, just so you don't get a bad opinion of midwives, I only have a midwife, and so far she has been wonderful, and I trust her completely.
I think you do have to have a good relationship though, with MW or OB, and if you trust your MW to refer you if something did start to go wrong, then its all good. Personally, I've had a very normal, healthy pregnancy, and it would feel like a waste of money having an OB, especially with DH and myself having fairly low incomes, and being on a budget. But if I needed medical help, then I wouldn't hesitate on getting the help of an OB. What I'm trying to say, is trust your gut instinct on what kind of help you think you need, and go from there. |
Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 7:10pm
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We are using a team of MW's. I looked into using a OB - but my DH is a Dr and we have very strong natural views, I would hate scans every visit as we don't know the long term affect of them (they have only been in use for 20 yrs) and we feel much more in control with a MW.
If there are any complications however I will be referred to a private OB for anything that requires a specialist. So far I have had 2 MW apps they have been ok, I am def going for a home birth next time though if all goes well with this baby. I hate that (even MW's) are so interfering. Ok thats my rant over ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: bluebird
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 7:57pm
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I'm a more natural person, I believe a major reason so many births so wrong is because we seem to expect it to. So for me, a midwife is the way to go. I also wouldn't like to have a scan every visit etc.
OB or MW you need to find a person who you get on with and feel comfortable around. If you don't feel comfortable telling him/her you are constipated in your pregnancy then your not going to like to have his/her fingers up you when you are in pain. It will just make it worse. I would recommend meeting a few of each choice and make the decision on their personality. ------------- DD1 10/10/04 DD2 10/06/09 |
Posted By: katie1
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 8:26pm
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I had a midwife for both mine. The first pregnancy was smooth and at the end I thought that I was glad we hadn't paid for an OB. My second pregnancy was with a different midwife (as we'd moved city) and it wasn't as simple. Nothing major but she didn't refer me on to specialists quickly and I ended up really stressed about things. It was a terrible last few weeks and I wished SO much that we had paid for an OB. I think I would have saved weeks of unnecessary worrying and anxiety. I would definitely have an OB for another pregnancy (if there is one!!!)
It is a personal choice though. |
Posted By: mrsturtle
Date Posted: 21 January 2009 at 8:54pm
| It really dose come down to who you get on with. My 1st Mw was very very good and i was gutted when she had to leave to go back to the uk. I havent had an "easy" or "normal" preg and before she left she reffered me to the Ob through the public system the 2nd mw i have ended up with im not quite on the same page with and so am seeing ob next week and am going to see about the cost to have her finish my care. So all said if my first mw was still here i would stick with her and have public ob as back up but since shes not i think ill pay for ob privatly. I guess it would also depend on your location. Good luck with whatever you choose and congratulations on your pregnancy! |
Posted By: Mum_mum
Date Posted: 22 January 2009 at 8:07am
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Well had a good talk to hubby last night and we decided that we will go with a midwife. I think i like the more personal aspect that a midwife can give you with home visits and maybe coming to home when im in labour and yeah. Im sure if anything goes wrong then they will refer me straight to an OB anyway.
So calling one that lives in the same small suburb as me, hope she is nice lol. Thanks heaps for your advice girls, always appreciated and alway great advice given on Ohbaby! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
Angel baby - May 2008
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Posted By: kabe
Date Posted: 22 January 2009 at 8:58am
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Hannahbil, it would be good to get some MW recommendations from some of the girls from Welly. Perhaps they can PM you some names? ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Mum_mum
Date Posted: 22 January 2009 at 9:03am
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Yeah good idea Kabe, thank you!
Im not too sure what i am classed as tho - probably Upper Hutt but we pay rates to Lower Hutt but are bang in the middle! Will be going to Hutt Hospital for birth. If anyone has any reccomendations PM me, that would be awesome!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
Angel baby - May 2008
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Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 22 January 2009 at 10:03pm
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Hi Hannahbil....Congrats on the pregnancy. I have always used a specialist...and interesting to see from this that a few of us are using the same one - Dr Michel Sangalli and I also think he is brilliant. But having said that, we have had quite a few people have babies at work and they have used one particular MW who they all say is really good so I'll get her details and send them through to you. I work in Lower Hutt.
Might not get it through until tomorrow night as I think OB is blocked at work ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Alex 6 and Harry 8 |
Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 24 January 2009 at 8:40am
Ooooh Linda! Didn't know you were from Welly too  I work in Wingate, live in Churton Park.
Anyway I had a MW to start with, once it was twins I got referred to the public OB team. The only 'fault' I had with them was the different registrar at each app. Next time round if it was twins again I would definitely go for private OB, and this is more to do with the consistency of who you see rather than anything else. Otherwise I would be going back to my MW. Oh and Sangali was my OB at the hospital, even though I met him all of twice We thought he was great too and have to say we 'd his humour.
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Posted By: tropics
Date Posted: 25 January 2009 at 7:18pm
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we went for a private ob was the best $4000 ive ever spent they were contactable 24/7 had regular scans and appointments whenever I needed them, since I developed hypertension then pre-eclampsia I think I got my moneys worth with the amount of visits i had lol! but they were on top of everything every step of the way and very professional, I would fork out to go under them again for sure! we had a midwife that the obs organised for post natal care that came under the $4000 and she was lovely too but im so glad I went under the ob! ------------- http://lilypie.com">    [/url]
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 25 January 2009 at 7:36pm
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Hiya, I know you've made your decision now Hannah (congrats btw!) but for anyone else making this decision:
I think not only does it depend on you and your pregnancy, but it also depends on the individual LMCs. While I had a fairly nightmare labour ending in emergency c section (although nothing like Flutterby's! ) I would go with my midwife again in a heartbeat, I absolutely adore her and she was wonderful throughout my pregnancy and especially after JJ arrived. I liked that feeling of 'partnership' someone else referred to. Having said that I totally understand why people with previous m/c or difficult pregnancies prefer to go with an OB.
I would also say, don't settle on just anyone, your midwife (or OB for that matter) should 'feel right', have a similar sense of humour to you, have a similar approach to birthing as you etc. ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 25 January 2009 at 7:37pm
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oh yeah, and there's a thread about midwives in the hutt area http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5566 - here -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: Mum_mum
Date Posted: 26 January 2009 at 8:22am
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Thanks Guys, the one i rang, Alison Witeley hasnt been reccomended by anyone but anyone had her? I called her as she is really close to where i live. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
Angel baby - May 2008
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