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Thread: Opinion PLEASE! Midwife vs. doctor in Hamilton

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    Hi everyone!

    I am deciding between using a midwife or a doctor for my pregnancy and I am having a hard decision. From before even getting pregnant, I had thought I wanted a midwife and liked what I read and heard about them in general, but after seeing my doctor, he doesn't "recommend" it. Perhaps he is being bias? I'm not sure! I'm really confused now and I don't know anyone who has had a baby in Hamilton before to ask them about their experience.

    ANY advice/information you can give me about midwife vs. doctor, which midwife place (there are 3 here!), even what hospital, etc. would be very helpful!

    Thanks so much in advance! You can reply here or PM me - whichever you'd like

    So looking forward to hearing from you!
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    Canadian Genius lilo0003's Avatar
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    I cant speak to Hamilton but I can share my experience in Halton and it was amazing. I had my 1st son in 2000 at OTMH and he was 2 weeks over due but the nurses and doctors left my care completely with my midwives and while they would pop in to say hi once they did the medical part needed for the induction they were hands off. With son 2 he was also late but I went into labour without induction, this time the second midwife did not get to us in time (he was fast). The nurses were amazing again and despite being the end of their night shift they offered to stay to assist so that the primary midwife was not on her own, we declined and it was perfect with just the three of us. I actually pulled my son up and out of the birth canel. The after care is amazing and I came hours after the delivery and never felt alone. They are on call 24 hrs. My dr was totally on board and that helped. Feel free to PM me if you want more detail.
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    OP, I am curious why the doctor did not 'recommend it"? What did the doc say about you using a midwife?
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    I'm not a big fan of conventional medicine and even find midwives far too conservative, that being said, I had a midwife with my last pregnancy and again with this one. My last labour ended with an emergency c-section, which meant I had to have my care transferred to an ob while in labour. I was at St. Joesph's and there were a number of technological failures that led to a number of unnecessary interventions. I was with the Hamilton Midwives for that birth, but have switched to Community Midwives for this one (and am having a much better experience.) Because of my experiences at St. Joseph's, I will be going to McMaster this time around.

    If you decide to go with a midwife, you will need to contact them asap as there's not enough midwives for the demand in the area.

    Feel free to pm me if you'd like, and good luck with your decision! In the end you need to do what feels right for you.
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    Is your situation high risk at all? Maybe there's a reason your doctor doesn't recommend it? Anyhow, I had a planned c section and am having another one with Dr. Donnery at St. Joes's and I love her. In my personal opinion, even if I wasn't having a planned section I would go with a doctor.
    Last edited by annedougherty; Tue, May 19th, 2015 at 10:24 PM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by annedougherty View Post
    Is your situation high risk at all? Maybe there's a reason your doctor doesn't recommend it? Anyhow, I had a planned c section and am having another one with Dr. Donnery at St. Joes's and I love her. In my personal opinion, even if I wasn't having a planned section I would go with a doctor.
    Your having another baby eek congrats
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    I have a friend in hamilton that used a midwife for her first pregnancy she now has 4 kids ill have toask her more about it
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    Quote Originally Posted by Anna Michele View Post
    Your having another baby eek congrats
    Thanks! Another boy due early September

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    Quote Originally Posted by Shwa Girl View Post
    OP, I am curious why the doctor did not 'recommend it"? What did the doc say about you using a midwife?
    He's a great doctor (always listens to me and orders tests, etc. - been with him for about 5 years now), BUT he is totally against natural medicine and was a little offended almost when I said I was considering a midwife and asked his opinion about the 3 choices in Hamilton. He said there is "no difference" to a doctor vs. a midwife (unless having the baby at home), but it is up to me in the end. It was just off putting. He has always respected my decision to turn down a prescription, but doesn't like to hear about naturopaths for example.
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    Quote Originally Posted by annedougherty View Post
    Is your situation high risk at all? Maybe there's a reason your doctor doesn't recommend it? Anyhow, I had a planned c section and am having another one with Dr. Donnery at St. Joes's and I love her. In my personal opinion, even if I wasn't having a planned section I would go with a doctor.

    No, not high risk at all. Everything is going well very so far.
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    Oh and congrats to you as well @2jk19
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2jk19 View Post
    He's a great doctor (always listens to me and orders tests, etc. - been with him for about 5 years now), BUT he is totally against natural medicine and was a little offended almost when I said I was considering a midwife and asked his opinion about the 3 choices in Hamilton. He said there is "no difference" to a doctor vs. a midwife (unless having the baby at home), but it is up to me in the end. It was just off putting. He has always respected my decision to turn down a prescription, but doesn't like to hear about naturopaths for example.
    Thanks.
    I am glad that you like the doctor. I think he did not tell you everything about his reservations. I think, maybe, he has seen some things in the past that he is not happy about seeing.

    The Ontario government is trying to regulate naturopaths. Midwives are regulated.

    May I suggest, instead of asking on SC for recommendations about midwives, please choose from a directory of regulated midwives, for your own protection and for your baby's protection.
    Here is a list
    http://www.ontariomidwives.ca/midwif...lation/college

    Good luck
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    I had a doctor with my first and I was glad I did.

    I had a bunch of complications when I hit full term and ended up having an emergency C-section, which my doctor did as she had privileges at the hospital and a lot of experience with emergency c-sections (I should note that I wasn't at high risk for the duration of my pregnancy). I ended up being in the hospital for a week! My second was a planned c-section with the same doctor which went very smoothly, in and out within 48 hours.

    I went on her wait list when I was just over 4 months both times. The best doctors fill up fast.

    Having said about my experience, I do know a few people who went the midwife route and loved it. One even had her daughter at home!

    Maybe your doctor just has reservations based on personal experience? I'd imagine it would be even more scary to have a midwife and then find out they aren't qualified to deal with complications and then have to switch to a doctor you don't know at the last second. I know I was terrified with my first and I had the same doctor whom I built a rapport and trust with.

    May be you could make a list of questions that you're wondering about or worried about and then talk to the midwife organizations in your area?

    I'm sure whatever you decide things will be great and congrats on your new bundle of joy!
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    Doctor all the way!
    Worst case scenario here.
    After labour, my placenta didn’t detach, it did eventually…but not fully (which they weren’t aware of).
    I started hemorrghing badly. I was rushed into emergency surgery.
    The day after I had to have 2 blood transfusions, and I also had nerve damage and couldn’t walk for a month.
    I shutter to think what would have happened if I wasn’t around a great team at McMaster.
    My OBGYN was Dr. Lightheart. She is on Upper Wentworth South of the Linc and FREE parking.
    Considering in 1 month I spent $200 in parking at Mac, I was grateful for the free parking.

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    The parents on this thread have a good range of experiences to share. Good points made on having a doctor with hospital privileges-you can search the CPSO site for doctors, as some of them will have those privileges noted. McMaster Hospital is known for its Children's hospital and under-18 focus so there are plenty of specialists working there if you (OP) or your baby require any particular medical care.

    Despite some alternative or allied health professions being regulated, doctors are not necessarily all "on-board" with working with other healthcare providers (the silos between doctors and nurses are well-known and doctors versus naturopaths is another contentious situation). Patients knowing what they want/need can try to get the combination of health professionals lined up for their needs--some doctors fortunately understand complementary healthcare and are willing to work with midwives, naturopaths, etc. It comes down medical doctors acquiring new/ongoing knowledge and acknowledging other professionals or not in the 21st century.

    Some doctors just won't say if their reluctance or outright dismissal of other healthcare practitioners is due to bias or perhaps some other patients' experiences. Remember, doctors are not keen to risk their insurance coverage!
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