How to choose your midwife?
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32080
Printed Date: 22 August 2025 at 5:49am
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Topic: How to choose your midwife?
Posted By: caliandjack
Subject: How to choose your midwife?
Date Posted: 05 March 2010 at 11:21am
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This is my first pregnancy and I'm unsure what I want from a MW and what I sort of questions I need to be asking? To make matters a little more difficult, I currently live in the Manawatu and DH and I will be relocating to Auckland before I'm due, will be finding a MW mostly by telephone etc. Does anyone have a check list or similar for finding someone. I'll be living in Hobosonville so looking for someone out west. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Replies:
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 05 March 2010 at 11:36am
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For me what I look for is someone who has a similar sense of humour/personality to me.. for me the person has to be up front and know how to have a laugh and be approachable.
I want someone who is going to back me up and support my decisions and wants. Finding out what their approach is to birth.. whether they are totally pro natural or more into interventions. |
Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 05 March 2010 at 12:16pm
What stacey said 
You have to be comfortable "bothering" them when you have concerns, and they will be the person you depend on at your most vulnerable. You have to know they support your wishes and that they'll go into bat for you if need be. The Ob suggested a caesar when I arrived at hospital after my transfer from home and the MW negotiated some leeway for me, and sure enough, I dilated in that time and avoided the caesar. It was nice that she didn't even have to ask me what I wanted (cos at the time, I might have caved and agreed, although I would have regretted it later), she just took the ob outside and discussed it. Also things like BF/FF if you have strong views on it, homeopathy, how long she'll let you go overdue etc. But mostly, do you like them and do you feel safe with them? You could maybe use the hospital MW in Palmy until you move too? ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 05 March 2010 at 12:49pm
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Do you have to book with the hospital MWs?
------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 05 March 2010 at 12:51pm
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GPs will usually only do care until 12 weeks unless they're a LMC (and very few are).
Yep, you need to book with the hospital MWs. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 05 March 2010 at 1:16pm
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I went with the MW my friend had as she was pregnant when I was with Andrew. I loved her and stuck with her. Going to AK not sure sorry the out west girls will know thou. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: HuntersMama
Date Posted: 05 March 2010 at 1:31pm
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Also check what their caseload is like for when you are due - you dont want someone who will be too busy to give you the time you need.
Better get onto it quick - midwives are in short supply! I got mine at 10 weeks, and could only just find one they were so busy. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 05 March 2010 at 1:53pm
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Better get on to it then, having a MW is most important for the birth I guess, how much interaction do people have with them before hand? ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 05 March 2010 at 2:38pm
| I have quite a bit, not so much in the beginning but certainly later on especially if you or bubs has issues. Its not all about the birth. If issues come up at anytime during pregnancy you really want a MW who will go into bat for you and be proactive. I've had one MW who did this, one who failed miserably so I've learnt how important that is. |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 05 March 2010 at 3:07pm
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It is the care you get during your pregnancy rather than the birth itself. My MW battled for me both times and I got my inductions (well the tears did help ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
) when she wanted them.Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 05 March 2010 at 3:17pm
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Its tricky hun, you will be in two different places.. early on you dont see them much and if all is going well with the pg then you will see them 13-15 times before birth.. even with monitoring I still didnt see my mw more often as i was seeing hospital specialist instead....
What you do while you are there now is the tricky bit, definately get in contact with Westie mw's and explain your situation... otherwise you may find due to the split care you may have to go with the hospital team... thats not a bad thing, they are just as good
Unfortunately it may come down to money.. I hate to say it but because you wont be with the same mw for the entire pg they wont get the full fee and that may put some off... GL hun!!!! -------------   
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