From: andyt@pogo.wv.tek.com (Andy Tilp)
Newsgroups: misc.kids
Subject: Re: OB .vs. a Midwife
Date: 15 Apr 92 22:12:33 GMT
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Wilsonville,  OR.


Speaking as a husband and father, I'll relate my wife's and my
experiences with OB's and an alternative.  The reason I say alternative
is we decided on a naturopath doctor (ND) vs a midwife.  In our
search for a good provider, we found the ND and midwifes to have a
very similar philosophy and approach.  The reason we chose the ND is she
did home births, while the midwifes worked in a birth center or the
hospital only.

I should note, my wifes first pregnancy was with an OB and the
delivery occurred in the hospital.  The experience was less then
diserable.  She (the OB) was extremely invasive during the delivery.
The doctor required constant monitoring and even did an internal
monitor.  According to the nurses (later), neither were necessary for
any reason other than to cover her liability.  The OB was callous
toward my wife.  For example, she walked into the delivery room,
didn't say a word, broke the waters, and walked out.  I'm sure there
are other woman can attest to what happens. With my wife, her
contractions went from intense to extreme and a whole bunch of other
nasty things..  My wife is still pissed about that.  Enough of the
horror story.

In contrast, the ND was always very caring and gentle.  During pelvic
exams, she would try her best to make my wife a comfortable as
possible.  The ND's philosophy is to approach a birth as a natural
human process, not some major medical procedure requiring the latest
monitoring equipment.  A comment she made is "With electronic monitor,
one tends to watch the monitor, not the patient."

Now for the hard part of the our experiences.  During the 5th month of
pregnancy, our baby died.  And as hard as it has been loosing a child,
it was the care and genuine concern from the ND that helped us get
through the mind numbing week and 1/2 we waited for my wife to start
labor.  We eventually had to go to an MD OB that works with the ND,
because labor wouldn't start and the hospital was the only choice
(ND's don't have hospital privileges, thanks to the AMA).  When we
eventually went to the hospital, our ND was with us the WHOLE 12
hours we were there, even though, by law, she was not allowed
to do any medical procedures.  She was there as our advocate and for
support.

One last flame against OB's.  When we met with the OB regarding
getting the labor started, he was incredibly callous to our feelings.
We were (and still are) feeling a tremendous loss over the death of
our child and the manner in which he described the extreme procedures
that may have been required left us, and our ND, in shock!  I
understand why medical practitioners have to remain unattached and
unemotional when dealing with difficult issues.  But what really
upsets me is their treating the patient as if they have no 
feelings either.

You asked about cost. Our ND charges $1200 for a home delivery,
complete.  The hospital bill ALONE for a 12 hour stay is $1700.  Then there
is the OB's charges, the medical labs and on and on.

The bottom line, based on our experience, is an alternative to MD OB's
will provide you with a much more caring, natural and less costly
birth.


Andy