Why I chose an O.B.

I've been asked what type of doctor/midwife I'll be receiving care from during this pregnancy, so I thought I'd take a moment to explain why I chose an obstetrician.

Reason one
The hospital closest to our house has no midwives that deliver there.

• Hospital one: Only 20 minutes away, brand spanking new (built last year) with gorgeous delivery and postpartum rooms. Very easy to get to right off the expressway, no construction to worry about. The hospital is easy to get around and parking is a breeze.
• Hospital two: Is 45 minutes away, and old. Old enough were they have built on and remodeled several times. I gave birth here last time and the maternity ward was so full, I got stuck in the old part of the hospital where my husband and family had to take like 2 different elevators and snake through a myriad of hallways to find me. Parking is a mess with a parking ramp and then once you park you must go up or down and find the bridge to make it over the road and to the hospital. Then down the elevator, through a long corridor to the lobby and then back up the elevators. Yea, that part was not fun for my husband who was coming and going more than others. The expressways to this hospital are constantly under construction, and right now are down from 3 lanes to one.

Reason two
The midwives office is also 45 minutes away

• The midwives actually work with an OB's office and is based downtown near hospital two. This would mean father to travel for each appointment and dealing with traffic and construction each time, and the cost of gas would be double each time as well.
• Finding a new OB in the building right next to hospital one is again, much closer and also, both her office and the hospital are only 5-10 minutes from where Todd works and is right next store to where my mom works. It is also close to both our parents house in case we need to drop off our little one on the way.

Reason three
My husband prefers it. I know it's me who's having the baby, and me who'll be going through labor, and me who's basically doing it all, but my husbands preference does matter. While I could get over both the other reasons and go with a midwife, it's not something Todd finds necessary and I feel it's my duty as a wife to allow him to make decisions that will effect our whole family. Maybe God is imparting some sort of wisdom upon him that I'm not privy to at this point. I don't know. But after many nights of discussion and explaining my case, I feel that following my husbands lead is the best thing for my family. I feel comfortable with our decision and the only thing that matters is that we have a happy healthy baby, no matter how it makes it's way into the world.

I also believe the experience is what you make it, and now that I know how things might go, I have a better idea of what I'll let the doctors and nurses talk me into. It's all about being informed of your choices and talking about a birth plan with your provider.