2 midwives vs. doctor / midwife

[Muffy]

I havnt read any posts as im in a bit of a hurry but i had both in hospital and both times i only had 2 midwives!! no doctors either time!!!

So i dont see how it could be any different having a home birth?? id definatly still go the 2 midwives

[Talia*L]

Hmm! Intestesting! I just spoke to my aunt, who had a home birth in 2002 (VBAC). She had Jan as her midwife, and it was a really great birth I'm told...

BUT she just said, "oh, and so I had Jan and Peter Lucas" which I never knew! Apparently Peter Lucas just sort of popped in at the end, made tea for everyone, took some photos, and helped with a twisted cord!

She said it was actually great having him - just that reassurance that she wouldn't have to transfer, because even if she had a bleed, or needed some low level intervention, the doctor was on hand. But she said he was so, so totally hands-off!

Plus you get heaps back off his costs from Medicare which is nice. So I am leaning towards having both of them now I will make an appointment to chat with them together

[Arcadia]

Hi there, I had Jan and another midwife (Gaye). I honestly don't see the need for a GP. Both Jan and Gaye were fully qualified nurses and had attended thousands of births themselves. They had also birthed ten babies of their own between them.

I am so jealous you get to see Jan. I love her more than anything. She popped over the other day to say hi and it seriously made my month!

Wishing you all the best. PM me if you want to chat. I had a very successful homebirth last year, and it was my first baby.

All the best.

[Schmickers]

I think there are both good and bad points. If you have a really homebirth-supportive GP who is hands off, it can open all sorts of doors for you - for a start, it makes it much easier for the midwives to organise certain things, like blood tests if you have a rhesus mismatch or other niggly things that can result in a really unnecessary hospital visit. I don't really know how useful they'd be during the actual birth - I'm wracking my brains to try and think of anything a GP could do that a midwife couldn't, and I can't really think of anything - maybe give syntocinon if you were one of the very unfrtunate few to have a post-partum haemorrhage, but most midwives carry this and will give it in an emergency anyway, with or without a medical order. It's basic midwifery practice.

The only other benefit I can think of is that if you transfer to a hospital where your GP has visiting rights, he can remain your primary physician.

[Visitor7]

If it were me, I would go with the midwives only. As you want Jan as the leading midwife, then there's your answer there Good luck with the decision.

[LionsandBears]

It sounds like it would be a good outcome either way. I've read about Peter Lucas and it's good to read positive stuff about Jan, as I was going to contact her when it's our time again. Do you feel comfortable with Peter? Is there a cost difference?
It may also help your family etc if you tell them you'll be having a doctor and a midwife. (Not wanting to disrespect midwives, who are more than capable, of course).

GL - looking forward to hearing how it all goes.

[~TT40~]

by him being there with Jan, would it be him catching? or Jan still doing the primary care and catching and him just sort of hanging around as her backup?
good luck with making the choice, so lucky you have that sort of professional support around you to give you what you really want!!!
go with your gut, and what you will feel most comfortable. Have you met Jan's backup midwife? maybe meet her and see what you think you can get from her, comfort and support wise.
basically it is what you feel will work best for you, what and who you are most comfortable with and who you think will provide you with what YOU want and not take over the situation.
good luck!!!

[Talia*L]

It sounds like it would be a good outcome either way. I've read about Peter Lucas and it's good to read positive stuff about Jan, as I was going to contact her when it's our time again. Do you feel comfortable with Peter? Is there a cost difference?
It may also help your family etc if you tell them you'll be having a doctor and a midwife. (Not wanting to disrespect midwives, who are more than capable, of course).

GL - looking forward to hearing how it all goes.

Tashy it is cheaper to go with Peter as lead carer, because I get loads back from Medicare. But TBH it's not really a deciding factor...

It would definately help with family!!! Not mine, but DH's - we haven't even told them I'm pregnant yet (waiting til end of 1st trimester) but I KNOW they will freak the heck out about HB!

My MAIN concern is - I want a successful HB. I do NOT want to transfer to hospital. Am I less likely to need to transfer with a GP? E.g. if something really goes wrong, is there anything he can do that might help avoid a transfer?

[Schmickers]

My MAIN concern is - I want a successful HB. I do NOT want to transfer to hospital. Am I less likely to need to transfer with a GP? E.g. if something really goes wrong, is there anything he can do that might help avoid a transfer?

Honestly, no. You are least likely to transfer to hospital with an independent midwife who screens her clients appropriately for risk factors. I don't think having a GP there would make any difference. In fact, having an experienced midwife as opposed to a less experienced GP, the midwife is at an advantage because she is more likely to notice the very early signs of a potential problem, and help you manage that, rather than not noticing until complications occur.

[Talia*L]

I think there are both good and bad points. If you have a really homebirth-supportive GP who is hands off, it can open all sorts of doors for you - for a start, it makes it much easier for the midwives to organise certain things, like blood tests if you have a rhesus mismatch or other niggly things that can result in a really unnecessary hospital visit. I don't really know how useful they'd be during the actual birth - I'm wracking my brains to try and think of anything a GP could do that a midwife couldn't, and I can't really think of anything - maybe give syntocinon if you were one of the very unfrtunate few to have a post-partum haemorrhage, but most midwives carry this and will give it in an emergency anyway, with or without a medical order. It's basic midwifery practice.

The only other benefit I can think of is that if you transfer to a hospital where your GP has visiting rights, he can remain your primary physician.

Yes Michael this is sort of what I have been tossing up - what are the advantages of having a GP? I think I need to meet with Jan seperately, and ask her... And also ask Peter Lucas.

I guess I need him to refer me for any tests - 20 week ultrasound etc. Midwives cannot do this right?