1st Prenatal Appointment

I had my first appointment this morning with the midwife. The practice has four midwives and they encourage you to see all throughout the pregnancy as one of them is on call when you go into labor. This is much like my experience with the OBs, however THAT is the ONLY similarity.

I waited less than 5 minutes and was taken back right at my appointment time. The midwife emphasized the shorter wait times, longer appointments with her, and a general sense of attention being on me, her patient, as the utmost priority. Obviously, I know this to be true for most midwives, but there are some out there who practice along a more medical, OB-type model and I am so relieve to say that these midwives are going to be awesome!

This first appointment was simply a time for us to take, get to know each other, ask questions, to a pap and quick pelvic exam and attempt to hear a heart beat. My little bean is so tiny and swimming around in there so quickly right now that we were unable to catch one. That does not mean anything is wrong, though, just too early to tell. :)

Our conversation was great. I told her right off that I chose the midwives because I want to be one myself and I want the experience of a midwife-attended pregnancy and birth.  She was so intrigued by my interest; we instantly had something in common.

The rest of the appointment went well and I spent 30 whole minutes with her!! This is unheard of with an OB unless there is a problem. I also loved how she actually said, "we don't like putting things in your vagina that don't belong there", like a trans vaginal ultrasound! While I would have loved to have seen the bean on the screen, I am so glad and at peace by how low intervention these folks are. If I had asked for the ultrasound, that would have sent a mixed message to the midwife and simply been selfish of me. My first appointment with the OB last time was JUST with the TV ultrasound. We loved seeing a blob on the screen, but the differences in practice are so obvious. I am so proud of be going into this profession and even more excited to have a real, midwife experience. Remember, if you want to follow my journey into midwifery you can follow my other blog, Midwife101.