Having been a mother who delivered with both options (first hosp birth was only midwives as OB didnt make it and 2nd was OB & midwife) I voted yes I would. I dont think midwives give any less care and Im starting to realise that OB's charge a ton of money to women who in the end dont even need an OB there. My OBs did just about nothing for the $$$ I forked out (I was happy with their treatment though, great OBs) and the midwives did all the medical stuff.
So Im going to a birth centre this time round and ditching the OB option unless neccesary.
Half the problem nowdays is people tar all OBs and all midwives with the same brush when in every bunch there are going to be bad apples, including some dodgy midwives. I think the focus needs to be more on empowering women to make informed choices about their births. Maybe compulsory classes run by unbiased people about pro's and con's of all birth procedures, what options and rights birthing women have and maybe some personal stories from women who've given birth in every manner. Id certainly have attended as a first timer.
Funny side note - I had Dr Mourik as a locum for my OB that delivered baby #2 in Wodonga at the start of the year. Nice guy but very old school.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks