Considering a midwife- few questions from pregnant RN

[Genista, BSN, RN]

Okay, I haven't been in L&D since nursing school, so please excuse my silly questions. I read that midwives won't follow high risk pregnancies. I am curious as to what constitutes high risk. Obviously something like DM or hx of pregnancy complications would be high risk. But would age 35+ be high risk & hx of autoimmune disorder (IBD in remission) be high risk? What happens if you see a midwife and then you later develop problems...do you get punted to the OB or does the midwife continue to follow you with the OB stepping in as needed for medical management? Thanks.

[mitchsmom]

I would just check with whoever you are interested in using, some will follow moderate risk pts in consultation with the MD, but it probably depends on the practitioner and the individual situation.

I'm now 35 & I'd definitely hope to use a CNM if I were pg again. :)

Best wishes!

[SharonH, RN]

Hi Kona, halfway through my first pregnancy I switched to a midwife and immediately developed preeclampsia. They followed me closely and I ended up being admitted to the hospital a week early for observation before they made the decision to induce me. I never saw a physician until I was in labor and the physician they collaborated with who happened to be there seeing someone else stopped by and took a look at me for all of 5 minutes. Otherwise everything went well and I wish I'd had a midwife for my second pregnancy instead of using a physician.

[trb310]

I am a CNM and it depends on which practice you chose to go to. Some midwifes are not allow to follow high risk patients. Advance reproductive age is not considered high risk to a CNM. I would encourage you to interview the providers in your area that employ midwifes.

Good luck

[Genista, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the replies & well wishes!