A.A.
Yeah, I used the FC Women's Clinic too; unfortunately, it didn't work out for me because my baby was diagnosed at 23 weeks with life-threatening heart defects, and I had to deliver in Denver at PSL with a perinatologist (because they have a level 4 NICU). PVH has gone up to Level 3 since my son was born, but they still wouldn't have been able to handle him. It was all for the best because after a very long labor, I had an emergency c-section.
My daughter was born 13 months later at PVH and it was great, but I had to see an OB because I had to have a second c-section. I can't say anything but good things about PVH.
I think if you have a very uneventful and healthy pregnancy, but even more importantly a healthy baby, I would vote for the Women's clinic midwives. All but one was great, and the bad one was really bad (not just with us; she was an alarmist and very wrong on a lot of issues with others I know) and she has since stopped practicing. I only know Stecia and Terri, and I like them both.
The only thing I would add to what others have said is to have a very frank discussion about when and how an OB would be introduced into the equation - how and when you would decide that the midwives were out of their element so that you know what plan B was. Terri was sweet, but she was clueless about referring us to the right specialist, and that just added to our stress and anxiety at a very difficult time. I had to figure that all out on my own, and no first time mom should be thrown into that ocean without support.
It's not that you should "expect" things to go wrong, but midwives are a great option for a best-case-scenario, and my experience was that they don't always respond well or quickly to a very serious health challenge; especially one that involves the "secondary patient."
By the way, my little boy is four now, and after eleven surgeries (5 open-heart and six around the heart) he's doing better than anyone ever expected. I thank Karen the ultrasound tech at the Women's clinic for her attentive and diligent efforts. Had she not been the one to do our ultrasound or had she been less skilled, our son probably wouldn't have been diagnosed and likely would not have survived his first 24 hours at PVH.
Finally, demand a 20 week ultrasound for vital organ check whether you're at a midwife or an OB. It is just appalling to me that so many pregnancies are left to "the mother is healthy" and this inexpensive diagnostic of the child is overlooked. I'm not trying to be an alarmist or make you worry about things that are unlikely to happen, but there is no reason to not do this simple procedure to check the health and status of your baby. I speak from experience.
I was very tempted to delete this whole thing, because I don't want to scare people with my nightmare. But the truth is I think people should know that this kind of stuff does happen and it's better to be a wise advocate for your and your child's healthcare. It's not that you expect bad things to happen, but you should have expectations about how your team will react if they do. I would never ever say, don't use a midwife, but I would make them identify their limitations and workarounds before you encounter them firsthand.
I wish I hadn't been so naive when it happened to me. I hope with all my heart that your baby is the most perfectly healthy child, and that your labor and delivery go exactly as you and your health care practitioner hope it will. Here's wishing you a beautiful and healthy journey to meeting your beloved baby!
