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I agree. Even though I would be concerned about taking the risk of going with a midwifery organization (see my comment below), I felt that this comment was misguided and unfair. I know that women who choose home births and midwifes want the best for their babies and their families. But I do believe that they have to be aware of the risks they are taking. Even low-risk births can go awry.

posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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I did not mean to imply a midwife would attempt to deliver a baby at 24 weeks. My point was that I was an extremely low-risk mom, and this shouldn't have happened to me. Even when moms are low risk, bad things can happen.

posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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As a 31-year-old, extremely healthy (and low-risk) pregnant woman, I went into premature labor and had a prolapsed cord at barely 24 weeks gestation. We drove to Providence, and my OB GYN had me transferred to Emanuel immediately after she assessed the situation. I had a radical emergency c-section. Without it, my son would have died. In spite of being born weighing only 1 lb, 6 oz., he's doing great. He's nearly 14 years old now.

For my next two pregnancies, I saw a highly gifted perinatologist (high-risk OB) at Emanuel, Dr. Andy Merrill. He treated me with such loving care...it was similar to being cared for by a midwife, but with the high-tech experience. (I had to have c-sections with my other pregnancies b/c I had a radical c-section with my first.)

I support the choice of midwifery, but my recommendation would be to use a midwife who practices in a hospital. I agree with the NICU nurse who commented earlier. I have seen way too many babies who had tragic beginnings and ends because of birth problems. Yes, it happens rarely...but would you want to be in that rare percentage of cases?

Before my son was born prematurely, I was planning on a low-impact, natural birth. The chance of having a 24-weeker is about 1 percent. But I was in that 1 percent. Women who choose home births or midwifery experiences outside of the hospital need to be fully aware of those risks.

posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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