Midwife Love’s Informed Disclosure
Questions you should consider when choosing your prenatal care and birth attendant. If someone doesn’t know their rates, they either do not want to divulge or don’t care about their outcome statistics. These statistics for Midwife Love reflect her 75 births from 2010-2013. Previously she attended 544 births in Miami.
1. What is your c-section rate? What have been the reasons?
My medically indicated c-section rate was only 8%, Reasons: maternal high blood pressure during labor, breech baby, transverse baby, and non-reassuring fetal heart tones. My elective c/s rate was 1% or 1 client. At 42.5 weeks she chose a c/section and refused induction. Compare that to local hospitals who report 40% c/section rates.
2. How do you feel about episiotomies? When are they needed?
I think they are unnecessary and lead to greater tearing. My episiotomy rate was 0%. I teach my clients perineal massage techniques and pushing methods to help avoid tearing. Natural tearing requires fewer stitches and heals quicker than episiotomies. First time moms remaining completely intact, needing not even 1 stitch after birth, my rate is 48%.
3. How long should my pregnancy continue? When do you usually induce?
Your baby and body will decide how long your pregnancy goes. Most first time moms go 7-10 days past their due date. At 2 weeks post due date, we can discuss natural labor induction techniques you can do for yourself, but it is your choice whether to use them. I can continue taking care of you for as long as you need.
4. What is the normal postpartum visit schedule? Do you include the PKU test?
I like to do a home visit around day 2 postpartum and offer you the PKU test for your baby then. I then see you and offer lactation support back in my office, 3 weeks, and 6 week and additionally if necessary.
5. Are labs drawn on premises or do I go elsewhere?
Labs are drawn by me in my office for your convenience.
6. What is your transfer to the hospital rate? What have been the reasons?
My transfer rate was 16%. Reasons included high blood pressure, stalled labor, 1 request for an epidural, non-reassuring fetal heart tones, and 2 breeches, 1 in which I arranged a referral to a doctor colleague of mine who does vaginal breech births.
7. How many births have you attended? How long have you been in practice? In what environments have you practiced?
In my 9 years as a midwife I have caught 619 babies, and attended many more births. In my 5 prior years as a nurse, I attended thousands of hospital births, and caught a couple of babies that came quicker than the docs. I worked at several large hospitals, including Jackson MemoriaI, a tertiary hospital with a lot of high risk patients, including an ICU for pregnant women. I practiced 5 years at a busy birth center in Miami, where we did 30-40 births a month. I have been attending home births on the Treasure Coast since 2010.
8. If I need a prescription drug during my pregnancy or birth, or birth control later, do you provide that?
Yes. Nurse practitioners can prescribe medications. I do not offer epidurals or narcotics during labor. I have extensive training in contraception, IUD insertion, and gynecology when needed for your annual Paps for years to come.
9. How do you feel about waterbirth?
Laboring in water helps relax muscles, minds, and ease discomforts. It allows for easy and gentle movements which facilitate labor. I recommend water to be available for comfort for all my clients. 65% of my clients have birthed in the water, which is a gentle transition for baby, and helps decrease perineal tears in mom.
What is your VBAC success rate? 90% have had a VBAC,70% at home, 1 had a transfer after 4 days of labor and needed some pitocin, 1 requested an epidural, 1 had a baby with transverse lie and had a repeat c/s.