Midwife, Doulas, OB's, Oh My!!

Ah.. The questions that sometimes don't even require a thought.. When I was pregnant with my first I was a young mommy.. (18) I went to an OB, only once, when I was like 7 or 8 weeks pregnant... And I knew it wasn't for me.. Everything about the place screamed cold and impersonal to me.. For those who really know me, I'm a social butterfly:) I like to chat, I like to really get to know you. And, uh.. If someone is gonna see my Vulva then we better be good friends..

I believe everyone has to decide for themselves which is best for you. And you should list the pros and cons to each..
Here is a mild breakdown of the two, and what you could expect from each:
OB:
-Long waits in the office and short appointments.
-Labor & delivery performed in a hospital.
-Little interaction with OB till you begin to push.
-Quicker to perform medical procedures to speed up labor, ie: episiotomy, forceps, vacuum extraction, cesarean, etc..
-More focused on technology and medical intervention for pain management, such as the use of epidurals.
-Relationship is based on a professional, medical basis.
-No personal calls, you contact the office during office hours. Sometimes never speaking with your OB. Or waiting till your next appt.

Midwife:
-Zero waits and Long/personal appointments.
-Labor & delivery performed at home, birthing center or hospital.
-Relationship is professional, but also much more personal and nurturing.
-Use natural methods for pain management, ie: visualization, birth ball, water births, massage, pressure points, the use of techniques on the body to release muscles, heat/cold, etc..
-Will use more natural methods to aid in delivery, such as squatting, rocking, perineal massage, dancing with spouse, help in positions..
-You always have 24/7 access to your midwife. Even calling at 2am with a question. They are literally ALWAYS there for you.

So which is right for you? The choice you will make depends on your philosophy on childbirth. What is your philosophy, you are probably wondering. That is up to you. :) Do your research, I find more an more women spend more time researching what phone or purse to buy vs. their options for Birth. I have a wonderful library and will type of a list of books and links that will be wonderful for you all to help you decide what your ideas are, what is important to you. :)

As for Doulas/Monitrice:
A Doula provides various forms of non-medical support (physical, emotional and informed choices) in the childbirth process. Based on particular Doula's training and background the doula may offer support during prenatal care, during childbirth and/or during the postpartum period. A birth doula is a care provider for labor. The doula may(personal preference) attend any form of home birth or attend the mom during labor at home and continue while in transport and then support the birth at either the hospital or birth center. Where ever the mom so chooses to birth a doula may be present, from unassisted homebirths to planned c-sections. 


A monitrice is similar to a doula, but there are some added benefits. A monitrice does clinical skills for you at home before going to the hospital. She is able to listen to fetal heart tones, check your dilation, and take your blood pressure. This enables you, the mom -to-be, to stay home as long as you would like without going to the hospital only to have them send you home telling you to come back at a later time.