We are both upbeat this week after making a decision to switch practices, which is a great thing, considering we are basically out of options covered by our insurance at this point in time. I spoke at length with a midwife where I will be transitioning to, and I was almost overcome with emotion because she actually seems to UNDERSTAND where I am coming from and what I am looking for in a practice.
First of all, let me clarify. These midwives don’t offer homebirth deliveries. They deliver in a hospital. I know this relieves many of you to hear. 
However, be prepared. I might seriously consider a homebirth in the future.
Pros of the new practice:
1. Four midwives. As opposed to close to ten midwives. Smaller practice, which means we will get to know all of the midwives (and they will in turn get to know us).
2. Wireless fetal monitoring. Meaning I can move around instead of being strapped to a machine. Also, if everything is normal, I don’t need to wear the monitor (most hospitals require this).
3. Tubs to labor in. As long as my water hasn’t broken, I can hang out in a tub during labor. They don’t offer water births, which is honestly fine with me, but this is an incredible option to have. PLUS, the wireless monitor works in the tub. Suh-weet!
4. Supportive of various birthing positions.
5. It is not hospital policy, nor my practice’s policy to have an IV.
6. The practice has an extremely low C-section rate.
7. If for some reason I need to have a C-section, one of the midwives attends the delivery in the operating room. Note: midwives don’t perform C-sections. This is wonderful news to hear, meaning we will have someone we actually know there to tell us what’s going on and to oversee the procedure. That’s huge in my book.
Cons:
1. The practice is 45 - 60 minutes away depending on traffic. I’m not really worried about this in regards of delivering, as most first time moms labor slowly, and after all, if we lived in a small town, an hour to a hospital is not out of the norm. But it will be a hike for bi-monthly visits and obviously somewhat inconvenient after the baby is born, and we will need to have someone scheduled to stop by the house to feed the dogs while in the hospital.
I am planning on continuing with my practice through week 28, where I will take the glucose screening test. After that, I plan on switching over to the new practice.
