OB/GYNs are Not Your Only Choice for Well-Woman Care (pap smears, etc.)

[pregpostmassage]

One thing that is not widely known in this country is that there is an alternative to seeing an OB/GYN for your well-woman care (paps, cervical exam, etc.)

The alternative? Midwives. Yes, you can see a midwife, even if you're not pregnant, or plan on becoming pregnant, though it is nice to have a care provider that's well-experienced with you if you do. Midwives tend to suggest more natural remedies, and support natural birth better than most OB/GYNs (their training differs--OB/GYNs tend to focus on what can go wrong in labor, and midwives what can go right.)

There are two main types of midwives, certified professional midwives (CPM) and certified nurse midwives (CNM.) CNMs have gone to nursing school and take advanced classes. CPMs usually go to a midwifery school, which includes seeing lots and lots of natural births. CNMs can sometimes be more technomedical-minded, especially if they're affiliated with a hospital, but you can find a range of practitioner styles in both groups. Most CNMs have hospital privileges. Depending on where you live, a CPM may or may not be able to accompany you if you need a transfer or have a complication that requires a hospital birth.

It's a good idea to interview your caregiver before your first appointment--this should always be free. That way you can see if your personalities fit before you shell out your money and time. Make sure you take a list of questions of what's important to you (and write down the answers.) Ask if they have any client/patient references (that's another difference between midwives and OB/GYNs: midwives tend to use "clients" while OB/GYNs use "patients"--this is an example of how the technomedical world tends to treat pregnant and laboring women as sick people, instead of someone going through a natural biological process.) If interested in pregnancy care, ask if they keep statistics on their births and if you can see them.

One last thing you may not know: while the vast  majority of midwives out there are women, there are male midwives. If you usually go to an OB/GYN because you prefer the male vibe, find out if there are male midwives in your area. You might be surprised. :o)

[hotchicks007]

May. 16, 2009 at 11:38 PM

I love my midwife!

[mama4Christ361]

May. 17, 2009 at 10:16 AM

I went to a midwife when pregnanat and loved it!

My birth was horrible, but it was because of the nurses, not Erin. They refused to help me and didn't even tell Erin i was in labor until my dd crowned. Yeah, DEFINITELY go to midwives girls! They rock!

Plus, they are GREAT at helping you find post-baby BC. My midwife suggested wild yam to me--not pregnant yet and this is two and a half years later! (of course, dh being deployed MIGHT have something to do with that! LOL)

As for the male thing, this is NOT judging, but why would anyone prefer a man? No really, I am very curious. I got so freaked the ONLY time I had a guy do my hootie check. Of course, it could've been b/c he looked like The Rock's twin brother, and I had a raging UTI. LOL But no really, is there a reason you choose men? I have never understood that and I would like too.

[pregpostmassage]

May. 17, 2009 at 12:03 PM

My assumption would be--and please correct me if I'm wrong ladies--is that sometimes women aren't as comfortable with a woman, because of their mother or some other negative experience with females. I know I some issues with females, so personally I would want a female to have more positive experience with females, but I would guess others who have similiar issues may prefer a male.

One of thie things I like about midwives is the positive female aspect--but males can be respecful of this as well, so it might be eaiser for some women if a male's involved (especially if she needs to learn a male can be respectful of females.). I hope that makes sense! :o)

(Original Poster)